Metagenesis is a cycle of reproduction that alternates sexually and asexually. Within this piece, the title describes a process of disintegration and reintegration of heterogenous and homogeneous elements. A series of transformative states are juxtaposed as oppositions and effect a large scale formal evolution. Extreme fragmentation, stabilization, and symmetry provide the basis for materials that are gradually synthesized. Musical features are extracted, inserted and fused, as the piece grows, recedes, and reconstructs itself.

Joseph Norman is a fourth year PhD candidate in Music Composition at the University of Iowa and is currently Research Assistant, Composer, and Sound Designer/Technician for the University of Iowa Department of Dance. He is currently advised by Dr. David Gompper. Mr. Norman's music has been performed at the Exchange of Midwest Composers in Boulder, CO and Kansas City, MO, at the Society of Composers, inc Concert at University of Iowa, and at the Alba Music Festival. Additionally, he has had works performed by the JACK Quartet and LOUi (the Lap Top Orchestra of University of Iowa) and read by the Calder Quartet, the JACK Quartet, the University of Iowa Center for New Music, and the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble.

 

Chimerique is about the interaction of music and language. This word was taken from Patricia Hartland's translation of Ravines of Early Morning by Raphael Confiant. French for "chimerical," it can be defined as 1: something that takes delight in illusions, or 2: something that is utopian, or unreal. The narrator forms associations to this word through a number of individual phrases and passages that relate to the part of the story in which the description of chimerique is elaborated. The performers are listening and reacting to these phrases as they use two different patches in Max/MSP that involve additive synthesis and granular synthesis by using their musical instruments as source material. They interpret not only the spoken phrases, but also the graphic notation in their parts, which requires some improvisation. The narrator and performers work together to generate a spontaneously formed musical context that marries text and music.

Jonathan Wilson is a doctoral candidate in music composition at the University of Iowa and Adjunct Faculty at St. Ambrose University. Jonathan received his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees in music composition from Western Illinois University. His music has been performed in the US and Europe. He has studied with Josh Levine, David Gompper, Lawrence Fritts, James Romig, James Caldwell, Paul Paccione, and John Cooper. He has also studied conducting with Michael Fansler and Richard Hughey. Jonathan is a member of the Society of Composers, Inc., SEAMUS, the Iowa Composers Forum, and the American Composers Forum.

 

I took the idea from ‘Samul Nori’ which is a genre of percussion music originating in Korea. The word samul means "four objects" and nori means "play." Each string instrument plays together by having relationship.

Jinwon Kim (b.1984) is a Korean composer. He is currently in a Ph.D. program in composition at The University of Iowa, school of music. Jinwon holds the Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Arizona. Jinwon Kim studied composition with Josh Levine, Daniel Asia, and Seil Oh. His music has been performed in South Korea, Japan, and the United States.

 

Westminster is inspired by the day/night cycle and is titled after the melody that is chimed by most clocks.

Luke Kottemann is a composer and violinist who is currently pursuing a BM in Music Composition and a BSE in Electrical Engineering at the University of Iowa. Luke’s music has been performed throughout the Midwest by ensembles such as the CNM and has had readings by the JACK Quartet. He is currently studying composition with Jean-François Charles and has studied with Nomi Epstein, Josh Levine, David Gompper, Lawrence Fritts, Joshua Marquez, and Nima Hamidi.

 

Charlotte Sits in Stillness explores questions raised in Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film, Lost in Translation. “Who am I?” “What am I doing?” “Where (and with whom) am I going?” The film follows a man and a woman as they develop a complicated relationship that is best, but inadequately, described by the word “love.” Throughout my quartet, the idea of a centralized beat becomes a silly notion - a fantasy – and rhythm cannot accurately describe the experienced relationships. Togetherness is relative, and closeness remains ambiguous.

Jeremy Maas (b. 1994) is a composer living in Iowa City. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Music Composition at the University of Iowa while working as a graduate assistant in Music Theory. He previously completed a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Luther College. His music has been featured by the Iowa Composers Forum, the Exchange of Midwest Collegiate Composers, Minnesota Public Radio, and by Sybarite5. Jeremy has studied composition with Brooke Joyce, Steve Smith, Stefano Sacher, and Josh Levine.