Description
Music for Social Distancing was written during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. During this time, musicians are struggling to find ways to perform music together while also respecting the critical importance of remaining in their separate physical places. Limitations of the available technology (and physics) currently prevent us from performing together, listening to one another, and responding with care and immediacy in the ways that we are used to. At the same time, videoconferencing platforms have quickly become socially ubiquitous. Music for Social Distancing is intended for performance over a remote videoconference and adapts to some of the unique challenges of that performance environment. Players still listen carefully and react to one another, but in a different way than they would in a traditional chamber performance.
I presented a paper on this piece at the 2020 Aspen Composers Festival, which you can read in blog form.
Program note and performance instructions
Technical information and recommendations (actively maintained)
Performances
Happening Now (Wichita State new music ensemble)
Millikin University faculty ensemble, conducted by Corey Seapy
Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra Quartet, conducted by Ryan Ross
You have my permission and encouragement to download, share and perform this work. If you want to give it a go in a performance or reading session, I’d love to hear about how it goes. If you have any questions about the score or instructions, please let me know.
The pandemic has had a profound impact on performing arts organizations, and I don’t like the idea of profiting from this tragedy. For that reason, I’m offering this score here as a pay-what-you-want product. If you can’t afford to buy a copy for any reason, please don’t feel bad at all for entering a price of 0! Whatever price you choose, you’re welcome to print or distribute to your ensemble as many copies as you need to perform it.