▇ ► 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:

A quick note — An article I authored, "Cultural Appropriation in Classical Music" (link) was just published on New Music Box, the online publication of New Music USA (New York City). In conjunction with the article, there is one time when I performed Inuit throat singing, but using my quartz flute. In the article I refer to a photo of this performance that does not appear in the article itself, so here it is! —BMD

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

In the summer of 2019, the Grand Canyon Music Festival reprised Brent Michael Davids' commemorative work GUARDIANS OF THE GRAND CANYON at the national park's south rim. Scored for Quartz Flute, Metal Flute, Clay Flute, Wood Flute, Percussion, and Havasupai Ram Dancers. This is a 6-min cross section of the 22-min performance.

To purchase the limited special edition of the full GOTGC printed score—the 100th Anniversary of the Grand Canyon National Park Edition (available until gone)—please visit:
http://www.brentmichaeldavids.com/store.html

Special Thanks to:
​    • Grand Canyon Music Festival
​    • National Park Service
​    • Grand Canyon National Park Centennial
​    • Grand Canyon Conservancy
​    • American Composers Forum’s Continental Harmony Project
​    • National Endowment for the Arts

And Thank You to:
    • Matthew Putesoy & the Havasupai
      Guardians of the Grand Canyon (dancers and singers)
​    • Brent Michael Davids (quartz flute)
​    • Clare Hoffman (metal flute)
​    • Vince Redhouse (wood flute)
​    • Brian Sanders (clay flute)
​    • Bryan Stone (percussion)
​    • Owen Davis (percussion)
​    • Ann Millikan (video)

GUARDIANS OF THE GRAND CANYON is an actual Havasupai Ram Dance composed into a modern piece of chamber music. The title is taken from the name of a group of Havasupai dancers whose art and life are incorporated within the piece. The Havasupai have lived for hundreds of years on the rim or floor of the Grand Canyon. Unlike Ferde Grofe's familiar "Grand Canyon Suite" whose descriptive agenda is limited to the canyon's physical attributes, Davids' GUARDIANS OF THE GRAND CANYON offers an alternative perspective. Davids' view of this natural wonder focuses on the indigenous people who have lived there for centuries. Characteristic of his approach, a rare ceremonial Havasupai Ram Dance is actually composed into the concert work. Additionally is also designed to create an illusion of hearing the music from within the vast spaces of the Grand Canyon.

The work was commissioned by the American Composers Forum and the National Endowment for the Arts as part of a nationwide project called "Continental Harmony," was premiered at Grand Canyon Music Festival on the south rim of the Grand Canyon (2000), was reprised for the 100th anniversary of the National Park (2019), and was featured on the "Continental Harmony" PBS-TV program (2001).

Copyright ©2000 ©2019, Brent Michael Davids. All Rights Reserved.