In honor of Shakespeare’s birthday, my setting of Sonnet 130.
*This recording was made by a student vocalist at Montreat College. I post it to share my setting, as opposed to his performance. He wants me to note that this is not an accurate depiction of his current vocal abilities.
Nathan Hathaway Adams
Riddle me this, riddle me tangerine.
What do Batman, Llamas, & Autocorrect have in common?
Would you believe, choral music?
Last year, I wrote a set of Choral Pieces called the “Modern Madrigals.” What is a Modern Madrigal you ask? (Feel free to skip to the music if you like, you don’t need no education to enjoy my music.)
Inspired by the idea of replacing Fa La La with LOL, the Modern Madrigals marry modern concerns with older styles of music.
The first was entitled, “My Man Is My Batman.” It describes a young couple going on a date to see “The Dark Knight Rises” and their evening of hijinks. For the theory nerds, at the end I use what I call a Leaning Tone Cadence, which is V-N6-I.
The second, “This Llama,” talks about the true story of a dear friend moving to Ohio, and the picture I made to wish her farewell. Here I also got to have some fun with Fa La La.
And finally, “Curse You Autocorrect,” uses my original idea to sing a song of woe for when our phones think they are smarter than we are.
They were a joy to write and I am forever grateful to Timothy Wilds for giving me a place to inhabit artistically and the Montreat College Choir for bringing my music to life.
Share them if you like them! If you or someone you know are interested in having a choir perform any of these, feel free to contact me.
With love,
Nathan Hathaway Adams
I just wrapped up a couple of really exciting collaborations on some choral pieces, one with a local lyricist, and one with a famous author. The collaboration with the famous author was across time and space, and we’ve never actually met (aside from brief twitter conversations). But his assistant said it was okay, and that’s all that matters.
The local lyricist/poet’s name is Danielle King and we’ve put together a very exciting piece for all three Soundings Studio Choirs (Women’s Ensemble, High School Choir, Middle School Choir) plus guitar and harp. Danielle did a great job on the text, and I’ll be announcing the title tomorrow. (Here it is!)
Unfortunately, while I was hoping the collaboration with the famous author would be premiering at a concert this winter, it looks like it’s going to have to wait until the Spring. But it’s okay, I think it’s more of Spring piece anyway.
Your item was delivered at 11:22 am on September 17, 2012 in GREENSBORO, NC 27402.
Scores to five of my vocal compositions are currently sitting in a P.O. Box in Greensboro waiting to be picked up by the UNCG School of Music, Theatre and Dance, for consideration as a part of my application to the MM in Composition program
I’m quite nervous to be taking my horses out of the barn down to the racetrack for the first time. I’ve of course put my music online before, but this is the first time I’ve had an outcome dependent on the reception outside of my little bowl called Montreat. And while I wait for the word, I will continue to ruminate on the next best step. Who knows? I may end up turning an acceptance letter down.
But as the new artistic year starts, lots of exciting things are beginning to happen. I just sent my first piece for the College Choir to Timothy, and I’ve started some sketches for some things that will be sung by the Soundings ensembles.
I’m about half-way through (scary!) Opera Creations’ Opera Scenes Workshop and I’m very grateful for the chance to be involved. I am learning so much, and the fact that I’m terrified that I won’t make it out alive is simply evidence of that. I’ll be singing selections from the roles of Handel’s Acis (from Acis & Galatea) and G&S’s Strephon (from Iolanthe). The performance will be at Montreat at the end of the month (details on my events page).
Waiting for autumn colors,
Nathan Hathaway Adams
How do I begin? It was beautiful. I don’t think I can express to you exactly how wonderful it all was, or how much it meant to me. I have only begun to understand that myself! I have gotten such wonderful feedback from the whole experience, and I’m sure I’ll continue to get more as I process the evening and the work that led up to it.
So far the only pictures from the evening, I hope my friend won't mind my sharing them!
And my work is still yet to be performed this semester! The College Choir will be singing my setting of “Psaume 23″ at their concerts, and my dear friend Stephen Long will be singing my setting of “Sonnet de l’Absinthe” by Raoul Ponchon at his Senior Recital!
Stephen Long, Baritone, Senior Recital
Saturday, April 28th, @ 7 PM
Chapel of the Prodigal, Montreat College
Montreat College Choir Concert
Friday & Saturday, May 4 & 5, @ 7 PM
Chapel of the Prodigal, Montreat College
Giddy,
Nathan Hathaway Adams