World Premiere of Over the Wing, by Ash Stemke.  Premiered by the UNC Lab Orchestra on April 13, 2014.

Over The Wing

The undulating feeling of push-and-pull found in river and ocean waters extends into every aspect of Currents: rhythmic vigor, metrical drive, harmonic tension, and melodic fluidity.  Inspired by the interconnectivity of all bodies of water, Currents follows a coursing river in its downhill surge, where it reaches a placid sea before flowing on "to new shores."

Currents  III. To New Shores

Currents  I. Freshwater

A challenging and reflective setting of Psalm 46:10 for a capella SATB choir for use in the worship service or the concert hall.

"Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10 NIV).  Reflect on this verse by reading through the following text which inspired the composition of Be Still, and Know: 

"Be still, and know that I am God."
"Be still, and know that I am."
"Be still, and know that I."
"Be still, and know that."
"Be still, and know."
"Be still, and."
"Be still."
"Be."

Be Still, and Know

When gazing into the night sky, what can humans do but marvel at beauty of the stars? Although we can’t hear any sound from them, their sparkles and shimmers project a sort of cosmic rhythm. Not familiar with the glistening? Try listening. Little Incandescent Beads in the night sky, that’s what they are.

Incandescent Beads

Be Still and Know (live)

"Unfolding" is a technique of melodic prolongation where a simple voice-leading pattern is extended over a longer period of time.  This stretching of small materials into larger, more complex structures reminds me of how a blossoming flower opens itself up to the sun.  I am often mesmerized by time-lapse videos of these flowers' movements, and I would like to imagine that like a blossom unfolding is a musical representation of this process, beginning introspectively but unfolding over time to reveal hidden beauty.

like a blossom unfolding (clarinet + piano)

This improvisatory exploration for solo violin and computer is best performed in a cold, dark space. It seeks to portray the experience of looking out a window during a wintertime snowstorm. The computer, too, "improvises" its part so that, like the weather, no two listenings will ever be the same.

Feb 05, 2018 Collevoxus Music By Florida State University Composers

frame and pane

Ladonia Valley is an homage to the great American road trip, a lens into crisp, cool mountain mornings, and a reminder that the journey and the destination are one and the same.

Ladonia Valley

Ash Stemke (b. 1991) "…simply composes music he wants to hear, because it is beautiful, spouts no unpleasant theories, and manages nonetheless to avoid the too-well-known and trite." (Steven Kruger, New York Arts).

Ash Stemke

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