write a symphony

I know this is going to take a long, long time, but it’ll be very rewarding. I’ve already started.

I’m a composition major, so I really want to write a symphony by the time I graduate from college. I’m not sure yet if I’ll be able to do it by then, but it would be really cool. If not, I know I’ll write one sometime in the next 10 years.

I kind of did this. I wrote this nine part electronic piece called UfSFL which I am very proud of. I am also working on another similar one once it gets cooler.

I’m thinking of a much more modern piece. I want to ditch the idea of having set movements, specifically not limiting or stretching myself to cover four or five. I don’t feel the subject matter of a piece of music should have to fit into a five movement structure with even further specific types of pieces such as a scherzo…

I want this symphony to be much more cinematic and I want to be able to score it like a film, handing off major themes across the spectrum of the orchestra and incorporating key instruments to signify specific characters.

I already have my subject matter down…now I really simply just have to SIT down.

I’ve tried this several times. I never manage to finish though. The closest I’ve come is writing an intro track for a friends concept album using an orcestra.

classical music has such a long and academic tradition that many standardized forms have arisen. this is really to place a destination on my desire to study music theory.

i am mostly self-taught because i used to fear studying forms would overwrite any personal authenticity i had to offer. i’m pretty confident that i can absorb and build upon what others have learned without losing my own form. i now see study as a means to practice and advance more efficiently. also, ignorance is more of a limitation than a door to creativity. accident will always be present, and i would rather be able to seize the inspiration capably when it does strike.

i’d consider another advanced compositional form to meet this goal.

I’m working on a Sinfonietta for strings.

Exposition of the 1st movement is sketched, but there just ain’t any time.

This might be cheating a bit—because my list of 43 things might just end up being the list of 43 things I’d like to do this summer, but…

I’d like to write a symphony based on our slightly overbearing conductor. It’s actually a tryptich: “Blood on the Stand” (a fanfare), “It’s All About the Triangle” (for solo triangle and orchestra), and “Going out for Lattes.” The conductor only has a two-year contract, so I’d better get busy…