Steve Danyew

Alcott Songs

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Ashley Danyew | Alcott Songs_2 A few months ago, I had the privilege of recording part of SD's newest work - "Alcott Songs" for soprano and piano (and soon, for soprano and chamber winds! Read more here). This set of six songs, with text by Louisa May Alcott would be such a fun addition to a recital or concert program. The songs are short and playful and each one has such a unique character. See the vocal score here.

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We set up a little recording studio in the beautiful sanctuary at Pittsford Presbyterian Church. If you look closer at the picture above, you'll see how we cleverly rigged our portable recording device to a boom mic stand!

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Here is a recording of the sixth song, "Lullaby":

[audio http://www.ashleydanyew.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Lullaby_Alcott.mp3]

Now the day is done, Now the shepherd sun Drives his white flocks from the sky; Now the flowers rest On their mother’s breast, Hushed by her low lullaby.

Now ‘mid shadows deep Falls blessed sleep, Like dew from the summer sky; And the whole earth dreams, In the moon’s soft beams, While night breathes a lullaby.

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Interested in performing these songs? Purchase the soprano / piano version (digital - $18, print - $24) or join the soprano / chamber winds consortium and be among the first to perform the new version!

What is a consortium? A consortium is a group of schools, ensembles, and individuals that buy into or co-commission a new musical work. The consortium members get first access to the new work and sole performance rights for a certain period of time. A consortium is a great way to be part of a new music project without the sole responsibility of funding it!

Consortium info: -  Duration: 12 minutes -  Instrumentation: soprano (voice) and chamber octet: Flute, Oboe, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bassoons, Bass Clarinet in Bb, Contrabass Clarinet in Bb* -  Difficulty Level: Grade 5 -  Timeline: Printed music will be sent to all consortium members no later than June 1, 2014. Consortium members will receive individually numbered scores, and a complete set of printed parts. Consortium members will have the exclusive performance rights to the piece through the end of the 2014 calendar year.

*String bass may be substituted

Sign up for the consortium here!

The consortium closes June 1, 2014.

Adventures in Bell Ringing: Free Handbell Acclamation!

As you know, Steve and I have been directing a beginning handbell choir at church these past two months. 

We've been working on a few reading pieces but we've also enjoyed doing some improvising (read more here) and teaching a few things by rote.

Last week, Steve wrote this acclamation for our bell choir to play in worship. 

I thought it was too good not to share and he was gracious enough to let me share it with you as a free printable!

 

An easy-to-learn introit for ringers of all ages.

Free resource

A short, festive acclamation or introit for 16 bells. Perfect for your beginning bell choir (the piece is built on simple, repeated rhythmic patterns - no music required!). Works well as a processional (if your group can ring and walk at the same time!).

About Glorioso

The piece is designed for a smaller group (16 bells) and is simple enough to teach without notation.  Each player has a rhythm pattern that is repeated throughout.  The piece is gradually built from the bottom, with two parts entering at a time.

Since we had been practicing rhythmic reading in our rehearsals, I wrote out index cards for each player with their rhythmic pattern and bell position to help them keep track of their own part.

This piece works really well as an introit—something short but joyful to begin worship.  It was well-suited for the third Sunday in Advent but it really could be used any time of the year!

Get your free copy.

Download "Glorioso" for Handbell Choir (16 bells) and
print as many copies as you need for your choir.

See more music for small handbell choirs here. Enjoy, and happy ringing!

I'd love to hear from you:

If you end up using this with your bell choir, please leave a comment below or email me and let me know how it goes!

More in this blog series:
Starting a Bell Choir
Improvisation Activities

Happy birthday, darling

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SD birthday Dear SD,

Happy birthday, darling!  I love this picture of you from our Christmas card shoot - it reminds me of the silly moments we've shared and all the things you do to make me laugh.  Best feeling in the world.  I love sharing this life with you and feel so fortunate to have you by my side.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate you this week!  Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a great year to come!

xo, Ashley

Three Hymn Arrangements for Advent

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Last Sunday was Choral Sunday at church, complete with a performance of Vivaldi's "Gloria," Handel's Organ Concerto as prelude and postlude, and three Advent hymns that SD orchestrated for the occasion. It's so much fun to sing hymns with a chamber orchestra, don't you think? 

Seeing as how Advent isn't quite over yet, I thought it might be nice to let y'all know about these arrangements in case you're looking for a little something extra for your upcoming services.

Three Hymn Arrangements for Advent

1. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (listen here)
2. Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (tune: Hyfrydol) (listen here)
3. Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending (listen here)

These arrangements are for organ, strings, trumpet, and oboe (though instrumentation is flexible) and may be purchased individually.  Read more and take a look at the scores here.

Image Credit: personal

Happy birthday, darling

Today is my sweet husband's birthday. Happy birthday, darling! I love each and every opportunity to celebrate you - I admire you so much! I look forward to cooking a delicious steak dinner (or more accurately, watching you cook the steaks while I wrap the potatoes for baking) and sharing the evening with you. I love you!

Image Credit: Nicholas Garofalo

Recital

The degree recital.  Such a formal term.  It is a milestone in the music degree program and here at Eastman, it means the opportunity to play in the great Kilbourn Hall.  Today, officially April, the recital is finally within sight.  This is the week of preparation, rehearsal, final touches, nervousness, excitement.  I have the great opportunity to premiere several new works on this program so I thought I would share a little bit of the musical experience with you in preparation for Monday’s performance. The recital program is comprised of works by Eastman composer, Steve Danyew (also saxophonist on the program and conveniently, my boyfriend!).  The program order is as follows:

Back Lot (Danyew) for mezzo soprano, saxophone, and piano Fantasy No. 1 (Danyew) for viola and piano Hers Was a Beautiful Soul (Danyew) for marimba and flute Nocturne II* (Danyew) for solo piano Poem (Hartley) for saxophone and piano Nocturne IV* (Danyew) for solo piano Come Home* (Danyew) for saxophone and piano

*world premiere

The first piece, Back Lot is a setting of a poem by Lia Purpura.  The nature of the poem is vague and non-descript, though the character portrays an underlying sense of longing throughout.  The music delicately matches this inward emotion in a very atmospheric manner.  The piece is reflective; hopeful, yet still yearning in the end.  The written intricacies of this composition are such that the mezzo soprano and saxophone often become one voice at times: joined and then inclined in different directions.  Similarly, the piano and saxophone timbres often blend into a brilliant, unified sound.  This piece was premiered this time last year at Eastman’s Warren Benson Forum.

The Nocturne set presents contrasts and an exciting exploration of the elements.  Nocturne II (part of a set of four) begins with low, rich, resonating chord.  As the performer, I find the opening section depicts night reflections in water – the part-writing is such that the hands mirror each other (each moving in the opposite direction).  Suddenly, brilliance appears in the upper register of the piano, as if the stars have instantly appeared.  The closing section is filled with wonder and thrill – darkness, light, and water’s reflection.  Poem, though not explicitly a “night-song” complements the outer pieces in this set through its presentation of contrasts (saxophone and piano timbres, among other things).  The piano begins with a very mechanical quasi-ostinato pattern.  The saxophone melody layered on top is very lyrical and mournful – in a way, the human voice of this piece.  The piano continues to portray “time” (a clock ticking relentlessly) every once in a while “chiming the hour” amidst the saxophone’s emotive melodies.  The set concludes with Nocturne IV, again exploring night, water, and starlight.  In this piece, however, there is the added experience of waves, wind, and rumbling thunder which builds into a frenetic storm.  The piece concludes with the calm following a storm – peaceful but also reflective, as layers of previous musical motives are woven together in the final moments.

Come Home originated from a portion of Fantasy No. 2 for viola and piano.  Steve recreated the piece for mezzo-soprano and piano using the text for my poem, Come Home.  Recently, we decided to transcribe the piece for saxophone and piano, the version included on this program.  The text, a letter from a mother to her son at war is a dramatic representation of love, longing, and remembrance.  The text is as follows:

Hear the rain, the darkness closing in now. Spring has already come without you.

Come home. The days are long and the nights pass slower, Darker even. Still, I keep writing to you. Come home, my son, my love.

Dark the night, the world asleep until morning, Resting in freedom. How I miss you.

Come home. I think of those days A sweet little boy, your smile and laughter and eyes so bright. Come home, my son, my love.

As the dawn awaits the sun each morning So my heart awaits that morning when you

Come home, my son, my love.

Now listen, I want you to know I need you Please be safe, please take care and know that I love you, my son.

Copyright 2008 Ashley Danyew

Follow along with my creative work and daily adventures: @ashleydanyew

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