Feb 2024 – “Without Diversity, creativity remains stagnant”, said a certain Edward Enninful, former editor of the British Vogue, in a 2014 interview. It is a quote that resonates with my practice as a composer and exemplifies the fuel that gives life to creativity. Through diversity, both in thought and in societal representation, we find new ways of seeing the world and expressing who we are.
I begin with a short thought on creativity because it relates to a new project that will begin in 2024: a work for intermediate level concert band. The work is generously supported by an Ontario Arts Council Music Creation grant which will allow me to write a short work designed for intermediate and community level ensembles. There is a certain challenge in writing for targeted to a specific level as it requires sensitivity towards the limitations of the performer while creating a satisfying musical experience.
How does this relate to diversity, you may ask? As a composer, I find great joy in exploring new sounds and composition territory – to experience the new in my daily practice. A concert band piece is not new for me per se, but is vastly different from my TAC funded song cycle, or a chamber piece for the Moab Festival which I am occupying myself with in the coming months. The projects couldn’t be more different from each other and the unique challenges keep the creative mind fresh, motivating me in my continual exploration in sound.
I anticipate the completion of the piece by the end of 2024, and will build a consortium of bands across North America to premiere the work in 2025. I am incredibly grateful for the support of the Ontario Arts Council (or any other arts funding organization, for that matter) for their dedication to supporting artists and funding projects such as this one, which I hope will be a worthwhile addition to the repertoire.
If you are a member of an ensemble and are interested in taking part, I would love to hear from you here.
Roydon Tse 