created as part of the 2021 PAX Online Soundtrack Scramble!

Dire Dire Docks But Longing

This piano solo was inspired by the atmosphere I found in a lot of the Cube Escape games, by Rusty Lake (I highly recommend the games, they're very mysterious). 

I use dissonance quite a bit, but not in an in-your-face kind of way, in my opinion. I find it very relaxing. The bass drum in the background adds something that I'm not sure how to explain, but the resonance of it is easy to get lost in. 

I hope you enjoy listening to this! I encourage you to let me know what you think!

image from: https://nonearer.wordpress.com/tag/bridges/

Echo Out Across My Dreams... (piano Solo)

A pretty soothing piece with exciting moments. I'm thinking it of a kind of theme and variations, but definitely not in the strictest definition of it. 

As I sat and thought what to title this, I thought about waltzes since the majority of the piece is in 3/4, but I didn't get a waltz feeling from the piece. I knew that there was a soothing quality to it, and it felt almost drift-like. That's when the title hit me.

Now I can't but imagine pairs of leaves falling slowly and at times excitedly to the ground. At the more exciting moments of the piece, I imagine number of leaves falling swells. That's what I see with this piece, what do you see?

I appreciate all feedback, don't hesitate to let me know your thoughts! Thank you for listening!

p.s. If you are interested in the sheet music for this, please let me know.

image from: http://7-themes.com/6917272-autumn-leaves-falling.html 

Leaves Are Falling, Leaves Are Dancing (piano Solo)

Hey everyone! I'm a part of a fan-made Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Fan Dub and I arranged the classic Ocarina of Time song, "Title Theme" for it (with my own style). Let me know what you all think! (Disclaimer, I merely arranged the piece, I take no credit for the melodies contained!)Headphones recommended for full experience!

Also, keep an eye out for future posts related to this, and a Link to Ch. 1 once it's ready for public viewing!

p.s: See if you can hear the other other two melodie I snuck in there :p

Cover art credit goes to: http://cladmented.tumblr.com/post/151999015191/commission-for-the-lovely-simplyzelda-commission
(^ the official art for the Dub!)

Ocarina of Time Manga Fandub | Chapter 1 Intro

This is music I imagine for a garden/peaceful location, although it could work for simple background. I find this one particularly soothing as well. It features harp, strings, and solo cello. I wrote this for the group I DND with and had a lot of fun writing it! Tell me what you think!

Thanks for listening!
*If you want a copy I'm happy to send a version that repeats more, just let me know!

The Lover's Garden

This is music I imagine for a fortune tellers hut/tent, although it could work for simple background. I wrote this for the group I DND with and had a lot of fun writing it! Tell me what you think!

Thanks for listening!
*If you want a copy I'm happy to send a version that repeats more, just let me know!

Complete Works

The Seer's Hut

This is a piece that attempts to evoke a memory of mine from a few years ago while I was at Woodland High. Over the summer, my friend, Tyler H., had helped me get a part time job working in a zinnia field; we would cut the flowers and arrange them in a vase that would be delivered to various nursing homes. These vases would then be used to decorate the eating spaces for the residents. By this zinnia field there are train tracks but only once did a train actually go by while I was out there. It wasn't a moment of noise and mechanical interruptions. Instead, it was like two worlds blending for just a moment.

This was composed for Ensemble Mise-En during their residency at UC Davis. Getting to work with this professional group of musicians was a tremendous experience that I will learn from again and again in the years to come. Thank you, Ensemble Mise-En, for bringing my music to life!

Thank you for listening,  I hope you enjoy it!

http://ensemble.mise-en.org/
Kelley Barnett, flute
Vasko Dukovski, clarinet
Mark Broschinsky, trombone
Josh Perry, percussion
Yumi Suehiro, piano
Hajnal Pivnick, violin
Evan Runyon, contrabass
Moon Young Ha, conductor

Tracks by a Field of Zinnias

This playlist will be updated over the course of the next 10 weeks! As the students play the game, chapter by chapter (1 chapter a week), I will release the music that will accompany them throughout the game! I'll give a brief description of each track as I upload them, and will answer any questions you might have!

Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy the music, and the game that I am privileged to have worked on!

Game Logo by: Annie Ly | http://anndly.weebly.com/
Game Created by: UC Davis Game Development and Arts Club | https://davisgamedev.com/

Campus Theme

Acceptance Letter!

Track 3: ALPHA's Basement Base
This is the music that players hear when they first encounter the being known as ALPHA. They're a shifty little being, but are also very likable. Once you get to know them, you'll see that they have a long storied past and background. In addition to the humor they bring to the game, they also help the player as they travel through time! Oh yes. There's time travel!

The music is meant to be very lighthearted and fun, albeit a little mysterious as well. I took some inspiration from the wonderful Grant Kirkhope and his soundtrack to the Rare game Banjo-Kazooie. The baseline is very bubbly, and the melodies are fun!

ALPHA's Basement Base

Track 4: The End of the Day
Here, our player has finally made their way back in time! They arrive at Kings College, and everyone is leaving for the evening. In order to better convey that it was night time when they arrive, I chose to use a harp and ostinato to give a lulling quality to the music. In addition to that, the other instruments were chosen because, in my opinion, they poses a very warm quality to them, which invites one to relax and wind down.

The music is ambiguous at first, we're not sure if we are in a minor key or a major key. Once the melody comes in, it becomes quite clear where we are tonally. The melody itself if simple and sweet.

The End of the Day

TRACK 5:
Russian to Meet Pushkin
This track welcomes our players to the cold snowy landscape that is Russia.  My instinct immediately had me go with something slow and a bit dark fir this one... so what is this? We all found that that kind of music was much to somber for the level! So I went the other direction, gave it a jolly attitude, and threw in some sleigh bells-- or Christmas Salt Shakers as one member of the team calls them(which we thankfully removed). I once again channeled a bit of the fabulous Grant Kirkhope and his style by going to other key areas with little preparation.

All in all, this piece is meant to be fun, upbeat, and encourage the player to enjoy the antics of the level!

Russian to Meet Pushkin

Track 6:
One Does Not Simply Waltz into Russia
When it was revealed that there would be a ballroom in this level of the game, unlike the last track, I went with my instinct! A WALTZ! This is among my favorite pieces for the game, as I was able to flex a little more of my classical composition techniques for it. I channel a bit of Shostakovich for this one (it's only appropriate). This was composed with the intention of keeping the player in the ballroom to listen to the entirety of the piece; something to invite them to stay just a little longer than they should.

In the piece you'll hear the strings performing pizzicato, which is when they pluck the strings instead of using their bow. This gives it a percussive sound, as well as a air of playfulness. The main melody is given to the french horn, which has a full and round sound (a least in real life it does).

Enjoy!

One Does Not Simply Waltz into Russia

Track 7:
ESFP

This track shares its title with one of the Myers Briggs personality types! Guess who the player gets to meet on this leg of their incredible journey! Over all, the music was crafted to have a fun sound to it, and also have life; something akin to swing music seemed perfect for it! The music invites players to take in the solos and enjoy what the level has to offer them.

As always, thanks for listening!

ESFP

The Gardens of Murasaki

A Desert, As Far As The Eye Can See

Favors In Germany

An Adventures Ends, Another Begins!/Credits

Fan Music for Critical Role.

I was taken by the lovely moment where Beau has Kiri share her music box with the children (on twitch: 3:46:40, youtube: 3:46:25). I know many have shared their own inspirations from this, so I hope you indulge me with mine :)

Based off the brief notes that Matt sang, I composed my interpretation of what her music box might sound like. Enjoy!

Image by: https://www.deviantart.com/knight-mj/art/Critical-Role-Feed-the-bird-746919228

Kiri's Music Box

Critical Role Fan Music for the NPC Orly Skiffback played by Matt Mercer! I apologize if it's not the cleanest sounding thing, I unfortunately don't have access to a DAW (which is one way of saying they're all expensive for a grad student... or at least this one hah!) But I hope you are able to enjoy the music nonetheless! I used the sound of the bagpipes for obvious reasons, and tried to give them accompanying instruments for them to really shine.

Let me know your thoughts and reactions, I'm always eager to here what the audience thinks!

Cover Art by: Carasibana of DeviantArt https://www.deviantart.com/carasibana

and Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carasibana

(image may change)

Where to, Cap'n? (Theme for Orly Skiffback)

The genesis of this piece came from the vivid descriptions that a friend launched into for our first dungeons and dragons campaign. He started off by stating that all around us was dense cloud cover; one could reach out and feel as their hands were coated with condensation. He went on to point out how alone we all felt; we could not see 10 feet before ourselves, let alone each other. There was a sense of stillness. And slowly, ever so slowly, he revealed more of the narrative, and all became clear. It was a beautiful telling of what continues to be a wonderful adventure.

This piece deals with contradictions, clouded meter, slow harmonies, and the passing of musical material. Each of the players is asked to play measured tremolos at the tip of the bow. In addition to being challenging, I use this to imply a stagnant, yet energized, motif. Something that is happening incredible fast and precise, and yet it remains on a single note. You will hear as new material weaves in and out of the texture as it attempts to displace the meter of the piece and the slow harmonies that sit and morph. You will hear one instrument finish the idea of another. Most of all, however, I hope that you see what I saw while composing this piece. Thank you for listening, and thank you for allowing me to share this with you.​

This performance was done by the brilliant Cassatt String Quartet during the Seal Bay Festival of American Chamber Music, to which I am extremely grateful to have participated in the summer of 2018.

s a i l s  m a d e  o f  e t h e r

With Critical Role reaching all Kickstarter stretch goals, I thought it would be a fun treat to arrange the main theme for their animated series for solo piano. Enjoy!

Free sheets: drive.google.com/file/d/1f-OpZc02…view?usp=sharing

(If you do download them, consider donating to my ko-fi: ko-fi.com/composerkirk)

Art by: Hunter Bonyun (@deerlordhunter)

Your Turn To Roll (Critical Role Theme)

Title: The Endling Suite: Last of Its Kind 
I – No creature ever knows it’s the last of its kind 
II – It just is
III – And then it isn’t

Piano: Lihao Li, Flute: Emily Annesley, Clarinet: Martha Rolón, Violin: Jasmine Yanase, Cello: Christopher Jung, Percussion: Jimmy Stagnitti

Notes: 

The comic shown as the image struck me, and I found myself obsessed with it. The serene quality of the image, juxtaposed with the various messages behind it, speaks volumes. This piece is for endlings, those who are the last of their kind, and is my commentary on extinction.

I - No creature ever knows it’s the last of its kind: This movement explores the idea of music sprouting from a single moment and attempts to embody blissful ignorance of one’s own circumstance.

II – It just is: My intention is to take this phrase as out of context as I can. By itself, there is something calming about the phrase “it just is.” It is not a sad realization, but a celebration of life itself. Launching immediately into driving, playful, and declamatory moments, the music then settles down. It plays out in the context of the preceding movement, and as a harbinger of what is to come in movement III.

III – And then it isn’t: The music reintroduces the dissonance from the first movement and gives it further context. Behind the ignorance, there is a knowing quality that steadily moves into the foreground until it simply stops.

Thank you for listening.

The Endling Suite - Last Of Its Kind Movt. 1 - 3

That artist Sam White uploaded concept art on their Twitter and it struck me as something beautiful and awe-inspiring. I did what I could with some time I had and limited resources (only Sibelius sounds because all the good VSTi's cost something I haven't ever had in my bank account).

I attempt for the music to sound semi-processional, and almost religious in its nature. There are quite a few drones happening, and the vocal tracks step over each other.

This was a quick exercise and was a lot of fun to do; I might expand on this if I have the time. I'd love to give it a proper sound when I can afford to.

Enjoy!

Link to the Tweet that inspired it: https://twitter.com/SamWhiteart/status/1142911444759003140
Sam White Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/samwhite
Sam White Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamWhiteart

The Shivering Gate

A playlist of my audio work, specified by title.

Synth Music

Podcast Music

Piano Music

Orchestral/Hybrid Music

Kris Kirk

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