MUS 3008

Creative Development
Geoff Young
Final Recital Proposal
Kohen Hammond
Concept:

Composition has always been a very important part of how I defined myself as a
musician and an artist. Ever since I have been playing music it has always been something that
drew me in. The thrill of having my own music being performed was something that I became
enchanted with very quickly. Over the course of my musical education, both high school and
here at Humber College, I have had the pleasure of studying with teachers who have really
pushed me to explore my voice as a composer in all different ways. Ones who have helped me
explore the creative aspects and others who have helped me nail down the basics.
As a composer I have never felt confined to a certain style or genre. I have always been
someone who has had one foot in many different areas. But there has always been two major
influences for me, Jazz and Classical music. Especially music, from these styles, that is being
created now. For me art is something that takes heavy influence from what is happening in the
present. When art is able to achieve this it increases its meaning for me. At the same time there
is this idea of timelessness that can come with amazing art. This is the reason why we still study
the classics as we continue forward. For me this creates an interesting duality as a composer.
This sense of duality is what I try to achieve in my writing. Music that is deeply rooted in
the time that it was created but at the same time seems removed from time. Music that is very
dissonant but also beautiful at the same time. Extreme density that also appears to be vastly
open. ​One of the composers who achieves this is the modern classical composer John Luther
Adams. Who takes his inspiration from the ocean and nature around him.
The biggest influence on me over the last year has been finding the podcast ​Meet The
Composer​ which talks to contemporary classical composers about their process and influences.
Not only has it opened me up to whole areas of music that I never knew existed it has also given
me a new way of thinking about music. It is with all these influences in mind that I approach my
music for my final recital.
The majority of my final recital will be two suites based on travelling I have done over
the past year. One based off of my time in Yellowknife and the other based off my time in Haida
Gwaii.
Yellowknife is an interesting place because although it is a city with all the modern
comforts it is surrounded by complete vastness. During my time there I spent many hours
walking alone through all of the many trails that surround the city. As I was doing this I would
sketch out melodies and phrases. These sketches provide the base for this. Being in a place where
the sun did not set for was very disorienting but also beautiful. Yellowknife is a town of misfits.
Even for the small population there is a thriving art and culture scene. My suite will aim to
capture the grand beauty of Yellowknife while also capturing the unique vibe that is
Yellowknife.
This summer I spent two weeks camping on the island Haida Gwaii. This island is a truly
amazing place that I was in constant awe of. I was able to go to a Haida heritage day where a
drum and vocal group performed. One of the pieces of the suite will be based off of one of these
traditional songs. The other piece will be based off of sketches I wrote while sitting by a
campfire on an old abandoned logging road. My aim for this suite is to not only capture the
beauty of Haida Gwaii but also capture the dangers that face the environment and the Haida
culture. New pipeline projects greatly threaten the diverse ecosystems of Haida Gwaii. And
generations of abuse from the government have left the Haida community, although strong, with
a very small population. Amazing efforts on the island have gone into keeping the culture and
language alive. When I was there I was very inspired by everything that is Haida Gwaii.
Text is another form of art that has always been influential on me as an artist. Two
authors have been particularly important for me. Michael Ondaatje and Haruki Murakami. For
my final I will do one piece based off of either of their texts. In Murakami’s novel ​Kafka on the
Shore​ he writes lyrics and describes a song that does not exist. I want to experiment with writing
this song. Michael Ondaatje has a poem called ​The Cinnamon Peeler​ that has a very vocal
quality. I want to try and write a chamber piece based off of this. Most likely with sung vocals as
well as spoken word. Over the break I will try writing both of these and perform whichever one I
feel is most effective.
My instrumentation will be similar to what I have been doing on my mini recitals. Violin,
cello, bass clarinet for sure. Possibly the vibes again. A large portion of it will be just the violin,
cello and guitar trio. With my final I want to add electronics to my music. I am still unsure which
way I will approach this but I have a few ideas. I am fairly certain I will have someone working
with Ableton live with pre made sounds and samples that he can cue up. One thing that really
interests me is the idea of processing instruments live in the moment, especially with the trio. I
am going to have all three of us double miced so we go direct out to the audience but also to
effects. These effects will either be to Ableton software and controlled by someone or to a pedal
board that I control. Maybe a mixture of both.
Overall the performance will represent where I am as a composer in the never ending
journey of finding your creative voice. Giving people a place to think about what is going on in
the world. But also giving them relief.
Repertoire:

1. Haida Gwaii Suite (In 2 Parts)

15 Minutes
Original Composition
Start with electronic/samples of camp fire to set stage
Chamber/ Traditional
Lights: Start with a red wash. Only on the middle of the stage. Expands as the piece goes
on. Adding more lights in the second part.
a. Moresby
Guitar, Cello, Violin and Electronics

b. Women’s Competition Dance

Piece based off a traditional Haida song I heard on Haida Gwaii
Guitar, Cello, Violin, Electronics, Percussion

Talk (2 Minutes): Tell story of first song. Explain inspiration for next.

2. The Cinnamon Peeler

7 Minutes
Composition based off the poem ​The Cinnamon Peeler​ by Michael Ondaatje
Chamber, Spoken Word?
Guitar, Voice, Cello, Violin, Percussion, Bass Clarinet, Samples/Pre recorded?

OR

3. Kafka on the Shore

7 Minutes
Composition based off of lyrics in the Haruki Murakami novel Kafka on the Shore
Chamber, Pop, Jazz
Guitar, Vocals, Cello, Violin, Oboe, Bass Clarinet, Electronics?
Voice and guitar intro
Lights: Deep blue, like the ocean

Talk (1 Minute): Explain next song

 4. Untitled Original Composition
5 Minutes
Slow and very emotive. With a large dynamic range. Potentially samples. Based on a
melody I wrote in the summer
Chamber
Guitar, Cello, Violin, Bass Clarinet and Electronics
Lights: Normal lighting

Talk (2 Minutes): Explain next song and say thank you’s.

5. Yellowknife Suite (In 3 Parts)

20 Minutes
Original Composition
Chamber Music
Lights: Some reds in the first part. Blues in the last two pieces.
a. June 27/July 14th
Guitar, Cello, Violin, Bass Clarinet, Vibes, Electronics
Free Improv Section
b. July 9th
Guitar, Cello, Violin, Bass Clarinet, Vibes, Electronics
Guitar/Electronics Solo in middle
c. Haven’t Seen That Sunrise
Guitar, Cello, Violin, Bass Clarinet, Vibes, Electronics
Guitar intro

Total Time: 52 Minutes

 Audience

Violin and Cello will be double miced. With one going to the audience and the other going to the
laptop for effects that then comes out as a stereo output.
Guitar will either be double miced or have a send from the amp for the same reason.