Recently announced, I was awarded a fellowship by the Forge Foundation to continue my compositional and cultural work. My project is "Requiem for America: Singing for the Invisible People.” This major work tackles the genocidal founding of America, giving voice to America’s Indigenous People. “Requiem” exposes a specific genocide in each state, juxtaposing genocidal texts from America’s founding against historical letters from American Indians themselves. In addition to the Western singers and orchestra, each performance will feature Indigenous singers recruited from local tribal communities. Once completed, it is hoped that “Requiem” will tour every state in the country. 

I'm honored to received this important awarded. Thank you to Forge Foundation and its mission. I plan on including Mahican language in one movement of the Requiem, the part involving the Mohican removal. Note, linguists write the language with an "a" (Mahican) and the people with an "o" (Mohican). Thanks to our Stockbridge-Munsee Community for ongoing support of my work, especially Historic Preservation, Cultural Affairs, Language & Culture Committee, and our most respected Mahican linguist, Dr. Robert Shubinsky.

Pictured at the Forge link (above) is a single page from my "Touching Leaves Woman, a hand-notated manuscript inked on vellum, to honor our Lenape cultural treasure Nora Thompson Dean. That score is part of an exhibition at the Morgan Library and Museum in NYC this summer. Special thanks to Joe Baker and Lenape Center for the Morgan exhibit! I'll attach two photos from the exhibit immediately below the announcement. - BMD

​From the Forge announcement:

▇ ► LENAPEHOKING ► I composed an anthem for Lenape Center, LENAPEHOKING, inspired by my fellow co-directors, which is now available as a “soft release” on Bandcamp. A video is being produced, to follow later this summer, for the official release on all platforms. A big thank you to all the musicians, and Lenape Center!

"O magnum mysterium" by Tomás Luis de Victoria. Performance by Brent Michael Davids on high Native American flute, low Native American flute, soprano quartz flute, and bass quartz flute. Please visit www.filmcomposer.us, home of film and concert composer Brent Michael Davids and Doodlebug Music Studio. Music for the Solstice!

MADISON NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL

Madison New Music Festival will feature my work In Wisconsin Woods, On a poem by Susan Power, tonight at 7:30 PM (CDT), ​along with works by Wisconsin composers Jerry Hui, Laura Schwendinger, Asha Srinivasan, and Lawren Brianna.

The online concert includes a one-time performance of In Wisconsin Woods featuring a one-of-a-kind quartz bass flute, actually performed in Wisconsin woods. A rare performance not to be missed!

► MNMF CONCERT STREAM (Fri, Sep 25, 7:30pm):
https://madisonnewmusic.org/

► MADISON MAGAZINE FEATURE:
https://www.channel3000.com/virtual-concert-for-wisconsin-composers-set-for-friday-sept-25/

PROGRAM NOTE:
In Wisconsin Woods is a work for one or two performers, and highlights the unique bass flute made from quartz. Based on a poem from Susan Power (Dakota), In Wisconsin Woods is about a Native American man who, searching for answers, goes out into the woods to find his father's grave. Graveside he discovers a tall pine tree growing in the middle of it. Then through a heightened relationship with the tree, the man rediscovers what it means to be Winnebago. In Wisconsin Woods showcases extended instrumental techniques, such as key pops, pitch bends, breathy whisper tones, and singing while playing. In Wisconsin Woods was premiered at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL, in 1992.

ANNOUNCING—Glad to announce that Requiem For America was partially funded by MAP this cycle, a generous initiative to support as many artists as possible in the pandemic. The proposal supports the composer fee, so I can continue composing the work. Big thanks to MAP fund! For more info, please visit: RequiemForAmerica.com

I recently had a composer discussion with Anna Sutyagina as part of Moving Classics, in print (select the "interview" tab). Check it out!

INDIAN RODEO QUEEN. Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera. Performed by Lyz Jaakola & Brent Michael Davids. Lyrics by Juanita Pahdopony & Brent Michael Davids, Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved.

LYRICS

When daylight breaks and dust packs my nose,
A horse is loose, and my burden basket is pushing back.
The earth calls my name, and I brush off my crown.

I’m tacking up my dreams each year; riding is my sweet almanac.
Ro-de-o, the dearest grounds I take to heart. (Sister said) 
Don’t you know, climbing on is the easy part.

Under midday sun, tiny mutton busters ride.
The kids and everyone are crazy to ride, ‘cause no one’s immune. 
You pullin’ for the cowboy, or pullin’ for the bull?
Hey! Lunch is piping hot, it’s beans and frybread tacos at noon.
Ro-de-o, I laugh and learn to get along. (Momma said) 
Don’t you know, when kinfolk are here, we sing a song.

Ro-de-o, it’s days like this I walk on air. (Gramma said) 
Don’t you know, we’d rather be here than anywhere.

I am Queen tonight, and my horse is under me.
I twilight ride with my nation’s flag and a beaded crown.

I’m center stage meeting eager family,
The sunset lights me in my finest cowboy gear; it’s my evening gown.

I’m jumping up and down! Don’t you know, Ro-de-o.

Evening stars dance and sparkle in our eyes. Don’t you know. 
Milky Way, your cosmic pageants hypnotize. Ro-de-o.
Eye the stars and ground your feet, word to the wise. Don’t you know. 
Roping you and me together is the prize. Ro-de-o.
Don’t you know, Ro-de-o.

​John Lennon's "IMAGINE" performed by David Lockington (cello), Brent Michael Davids (quartz flute) and Dan Barker (piano). Pre Covid-19, this flute-cello-piano arrangement was originally scheduled for a 16 May 2020 concert, by Northwest Sinfonietta, to be premiered by conductor/cellist David Lockington and composer/flutist Brent Michael Davids at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma, WA. Stay tuned for updates & potential rescheduling. In response to the pandemic, Dan Barker, Brent Michael Davids & David Lockington independently added their instruments to this special recorded version. Arr. by Brent Michael Davids, Piano Arr. by Dan Barker.

COURTESY DOWNLOAD THE SHEET MUSIC:

I've posted the other images from the article below.