Just writing an update that last spring I passed all of the preliminary examinations, and I am now officially a dissertator. I’ve decided to write a symphony for the DMA final project–as it is called here at UW-Madison–and will hopefully write a movement a semester, to be finished by spring 2011. I’m planning on submitting the first movement (if, indeed, it will be the first movement, but a movement in any case) this fall for the UW Symphony Orchestra composition competition. If it is selected, the movement will be performed in February.
Also, I’ve been working with Keith Lienert–a Madison steel pan player–and I’ll be writing a suite for solo steel pan.
Then, I’m hoping to finish up three more songs to add to Aubade for a Broken Neck–words by the talented Traci Brimhall–so that I’ll have a nice song cycle for Jen Lien. The whole cycle should premiere in its entirety some time next spring.
Then, lastly, I might be organizing a Pierrot ensemble project with the Wisconsin Art Song Project, but I’m not entirely sure if that will be happening or not. Early days for that, still.
Here’s to a productive start for my dissertating years!