It's On!
About two and a half years ago, I started a project that would come to shape just about every aspect of my artistic life. Called 'Connect . The . Dots' ('dots' being the informal term for notes on a page), the project followed the creation of four solo works with the goal of contextualizing the premiere as one - not necessarily final - stage of a creative arc.
The importance of this contextualization might not be readily apparent to those who don't typically to work on projects. While the final product may be the end-all for many consumers, for those that create, it is the process that leads to that product that is most meaningful - in a very real way, the process is the thing; the product just happens to be the stopping point.
Why does that matter?
For creators, the answer is simple: acknowledging the steps is acknowledging the substance of our lives.
For consumers, the answer can be equally profound: broadening one's perspective and engaging with the method enhances the experience of the product by connecting it to a rich web of memory, intellect, and emotion. The product ceases to be inert 'thing' and instead becomes a potent catalyst, connecting one to the past, heightening the sense of the present, and empowering one for the future.
I am happy to say that I've once again earned the opportunity to embark on a Connect . The . Dots journey thanks to a grant from the American Composers Forum with funds provided by the Jerome Foundation.
Recipients of the 2016 Jerome Fund For New Music.
On this go, my two brilliant collaborators, trumpeter Imogen Hancock and conductor Toby Thatcher, and I will document the creation of a concerto for flugelhorn and string orchestra. The project will culminate with a premiere by Toby, Imogen, and Ensemble Eroica in London on 25 January 2018 (get your tickets here).
Much like Connect . The . Dots 1, we'll unpack the creative journey from multiple perspectives from planning to premiere in real time. Moreover, we'll dive into some of the more practical issues that artists face, from finding funding to communicating across continents, and follow up with a stand-alone video series that will serve as a resource for artists in the future.
I hope you are as excited as I am.
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P.S. If you're interested in reading a slightly different take on this topic, I also wrote a short post about this on my personal website.
