New ground

So, check this out:

How about that? I've barely written anything that could be classified as poetry, but at some point about a year ago, the restlessly prolific Eric Malmquist wrote a few of us soliciting anything that might make a good art song, and I happened to have three little things sitting around. I'd practically forgotten about it by the time he sent the scores along. A new experience for me, and how cool.

Eric is also starting a concert series called SONG (Singers on New Ground) in Chicago showcasing new American art songs, so if you're in the city on 23 Sept, be there, 7pm at PianoForte. Program will include music by Eric, his teacher Stacy Garrop, Libby Larsen, and Dominick Argento (oh, yeah), as well as the latest rendition of my own Sincerity, the setting of my rejection letter from the University of Michigan (score, recording). I'll play the piano, and singing will be Ben Hjertmann, for whom I wrote the song, and who also received the same letter at about the same time. Here's the Facebook event page.