Making Tellus Workshops

“This is the biggest project of my entire life and I’m really, really pleased to be working with NCP; it’s been a really supportive and creative environment.”

— Composer Nina C. Young

Composer and friend Nina C. Young came to us with an idea for an opera about the Anthropocene in 2015 with text by librettist/bass vocalist Andrew R. Munn. Making Tellus invites us to deeply consider our role, from the beginning of our human existence, in writing the Earth's story. For this project, we are joined by exceptionally talented singers: Sharon Harms, Kate Maroney, Charlotte Mundy, and Munn, and the fabulous conductor Benjamin Grow. R. Luke Dubois also provided some beautiful visuals.

We got the ball rolling this summer by holding a 4-day workshop at Scholes Street Studio, where Young had ample time to test run some material, edit, and create a video. Young was especially savvy with DIY set design!

We wish composers could always have this kind of time to immerse themselves in their creative process with real bodies and instruments in a room instead of just playing things back from their computers. NCP understands the importance of creative time for composers and hopes to continue to support them in this way. You can help us do so by pledging to our Indiegogo campaign here, where you can get rewarded for your generosity for as little as $5!

Here are photos of the Making Tellus workshops, courtesy of Nina:

What's that sound? It's POTENTIAL

Last Wednesday and Thursday we recorded Potential Energies by Trevor Gureckis, a 55-minute ballet for musicians and dancers that we commissioned in 2014. We know, we're late to recording the game; after all, we have been around for about 8 years. But better late than never! We recorded at Mission Sound in Williamsburg, hopped up on caffeine from Gimme Coffee, which was a few steps away, and had the privilege of working with recording engineer extraordinaire, Dan Bora. And we didn't kill each other! Yes, we are still a group! Maybe we owe that to Lola the dog and Poofsy the cat. Below is the trailer of the original project plus photos from the session. Mission is an instrument hoarder's paradise!

Stay tuned for news on which record label will release the album, and mark your calendars for our album release performance at National Sawdust on June 1!

Parataxis & Pictures: MN Creative Meeting

Thursday we had a creative meeting for our upcoming synesthesia-inspired music and art installation, Mysterium Novum.

Paul said, "Anne, are you telling me how to compose?"

Isabel and Sugar mostly took Instagrams and Snapchats. They were bestowed with the important task, however, of choosing the pastries. They also ate most of them.

Joel talked about his pretty flowers. They will respond to touch. Jeanette thought of ways to make them even prettier.

Beau brought a costume prototype, made of organza. ORGANZA EXTRAVAGANZA COMING TO MYSTERIUM NOVUM!

We walked through Anne's ribbons and it was magical.