Undergraduate Composers Concert

FREE
Cosmic nature scene

The UW Composition program presents a year-end concert of works by undergraduate composers Arshia Ashari, Maxwell Williams, Alex Ryan, Taylor Buehler, Sophie Ma, Ethan Wu, Nick Mendonsa, and Ryan Rose.


Program

Arshia Asharix(P(x)¬P(x)) for solo piano and electronics
Emily Chua, piano
Arshia Ashari, electronics

Maxwell Williamsdiseventual for clarinet and piano
Brian Schappals, clarinet   
Ellen Kwon, piano

Alex Ryan - Braving the Obscure for solo piano
Alex Fang, piano

Taylor BuehlerBlind for two voices and electronics
Diann Spicer, soprano
Taylor Buehler, baritone 

INTERMISSION

Sophie MaI See Through for three voices
Sophia Parker, soprano
Kate Connors, mezzo-soprano
Sophie Ma, alto

Ethan WuH (eartbeat) for violin and fixed media
Ethan Wu, violin and processed violin

Ryan Rose - Distractions for trumpet and fixed media
Ryan Rose, trumpet
Ethan Wu, processed violin

Nick MendonsaBones Of A Shadow for electric bass, metal percussion, electronics, and voice
Nick Mendonsa, electric bass, metal percussion, electronics, and voice

PROGRAM NOTES

Arshia Ashari, x(P(x)¬P(x))
Within the scope of basic classical logic, which often shares the same fundamental structures as that of the average intuition, the entailment of a contradiction is deemed false and invalid. Yet, when it comes to the contemplation of what someone like Albert Camus would refer to as “the Absurd”—which eventually and inevitably creeps upon every corner of one’s consciousness—the same notions of paradox and tension are bound to arise. Consequently, in such instances, rationality proves to be inadequate, leaving only the essence of contradiction to ultimately prevail and provide any semblance of what one might consider an answer.
Thus, the work is not to master reason and intellect so proficiently to tame the seemingly untamable, nor is it to discard all attempts at value with an indifferent shrug. Rather, it is to embrace one’s position as that of the “Absurd Hero” and awaken day upon day, not by virtue of habit, but as a result of the choice to walk down the slope upon every descent of the falling boulder. And in that regard, it is exactly this choice which reveals a higher degree of freedom within the restraints of obligation.

Maxwell Williams, diseventual
Diseventual [adj]: Referring to a state or condition characterized by the apparent absence of eventual or possible outcomes. It suggests a situation or circumstance that lacks any potential at first glance or likelihood of progressing or culminating in a future event or outcome but still has the chance to achieve finality.

Alex Ryan, Braving the Obscure
This piece is about the threshold between familiarity and chaos and the journey we undertake when we dare to plunge into an alien darkness.  The primordial terror that stirs, halts us, prods us on, and leaves us changed. The puckishness we summon in the face of the unknown.

Taylor Buehler, Blind
Blind was created to give an insight into my own personal struggles with autism and fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disease. It's meant to represent the alienation I feel towards people and their ulterior motives, and the resulting, lonely isolation I experience between that and my chronic pain.

Sophie Ma, I See Through
“I”/“eye” [aɪ]: Recognition of the self “I” and vision. A liminal state of doubt without clear direction.
“I See” [aɪ siː]: Seeking, gaining perception little by little; pathways of reflection.
“I See Through” [aɪ siː θruː]: Claiming ownership of clarity, agency, and power. self-actualization.

Ethan Wu, H (eartbeat)
I. over
II. orror
III. aze
Inspired by three personal experiences of sleep paralysis.

Ryan Rose, Distractions
The first half consists of one main melodic figure that gradually shifts and shortens over time, interrupted by brief journeys into new harmonic territory until the harmony overtakes the motif. The second half features a fragmented version of the motif that becomes more agitated until it is eventually unable to sustain itself.
Nick Mendonsa, Bones Of A Shadow
In this new world whose beauty and treasure
Are hidden by a forever sunless sky,
Freshly illuminated by my neon blooded elevation,
My brilliantly branching reflection now terminally
Marks new prey 
-Lynn Mecula

Director Biographies

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