Lexie Ross Directors' Cup Acceptance at Orlando World Center Marriott

Into the Heart of the Earth (2014/2016) for winds, brass, bass, piano, percussion is work commissioned by Crystal Cove Alliance and Laguna Beach Foundation, and the Mansour Family for the opening of the Bern Environmental Study Loop and the outdoor Amphitheater on the ocean in the Laguna Beach Coastal Canyons.  The larger concert version of the work was completed in 2016 and features an expanded wind section. This full concert band version was premiered by Cal State Fullerton Symphonic Winds, Patricia Cornett, Conductor, November 16, 2016. 

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park lies within some of the last remaining coastal canyons in Southern California. Forty miles of trails lead the visitor through oak and sycamore woodlands and up onto ridges with expansive scenic ocean vistas. Rocky bluffs tower above the canyon trails. As guest commissioned composer in residence at Crystal Cove State Park I have hiked the vast network of trails to listen and document the experience of this environment to create new site-specific spatialized work for the opening of the new Amphitheater nestled within the coastal canyons, overlooking the ocean.  

The movements can be performed as stand alone works (c. 5' each), or as part of set of two movements (c. 10')  or the entire 3-movement work (c. 15') 

III. Silent Sounding Stars, was inspired by Crystal Cove State Park at sunset. The glorious unfolding of colors, deepening of the skies and appearance of the stars each night is represented by the massive rich chorale melody accompanied by glistening star motives and a lullaby melody based on the traditional American folk song lullaby By’m Bye that pioneers would sing to their children to quiet their fears by counting stars as they crossed the vast open expanses of the great plains. The melody is interrupted by scary sounds in the dark, and then gradually unwinds as the massive sunset chord isappear and we are left with just the shining star and the stillness of the comfort of the sounds of the night. This work later became inspiration for my NEA, New Music USA and Los Angeles Audience Choice Award-winning work: ORATORIO FOR THE EARTH (2022). 
(c. 5:40) 
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III. Into The Heart Of The Earth - Silent Sounding Stars CSUF

I've never witnessed hail bigger than a dime-size in diameter. This hail storm yielded small golf ball-sized hail. You'll hear sirens come in at some point, thunder, and the sound the hail hitting the metal air conditioner units below my window. Unfortunately, I messed with the levels as it was recording due to fluctuating signals and the fact that I'm still kind of new to this field recording stuff.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Denton Hail, Thunder, and Sirens.WAV

Performed/composed by Jane Rigler, on piccolo and pump organ (simultaneously) on August 26th, 2016, at the Civitella Ranieri chapel. Made in one track, no over-dubbing or other edits, besides minor mastering/mixing.
Gratitude to Composers Now and Civitella Ranieri for making this piece possible.

St. Christopher's shoulders (for piccoloist playing the pump organ), 2016

Lost Horse Mine: for Los Angeles Percussion Quartet, Eclipse String Quartet, Vicki Ray pianist, Saousan Jarjour, voice-premiered February 21, 2018

III. Into The Heart Of The Earth - Silent Sounding Stars CSUF

Pamela Madsen Composer

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