“Skip On the Crazy Side” 
www,Alphasongs.net
See Scores and Video at https://www.alphasongs.net/amp-111
Copyright ©2023 Matthew L. Kearns, all rights reserved. 
Music and Lyrics by Matthew L. Kearns,(ASCAP) Alphasongs LLC (ASCAP)

Notes: 
The lyrics of Skip on the Crazy Side present a strong personal affirmation for me to compose music going forward. In some ways this song comes in response to the frustrations expressed in the lyrics of another song I wrote earlier in 2020 called Screw your Petty Bias. In many ways, the two songs together echo the traumas of my own personal life in 2019. I needed to recognize and separate from negative bias and channel the trauma of significant separations into a positive avenue. My skills to compose music is the primary avenue. Skip on the Crazy Side came together in spring 2020. It was written in the same time frame as Screw your Petty Bias. 
I am a late bloomer when it comes to writing music. But when I discovered the potential to develop this new skill, it was also becoming apparent how this new direction was essential in my life. A new avenue to grow and heal the wounds of past trauma. Sometimes I think it is just crazy that I’m doing this, that I’m able to do this. But here it is. Now, I skip on the crazy side. 
The song is structured in 6 similar verses interceded with 5 sections, mostly in between these verses, with unique variations, providing variety and dynamics to keep the song interesting. These “bridges” move the song in different dynamic directions culminating with the fourth bridge section, a climactic passage repeated around a small 4 bar middle passage that is a seed for the final interceding section which is a unique 9-bar interlude that modulates the song back to the original key and the final two verses, with the finale, echoing the opening phrase.  
There is a very deliberate modal inflection in the primary musical subject of the song, sung to, “Skip on the Crazy Side”. The lyric, “Skip on the Crazy Side” continues in almost every measure of the song providing a consistent echo of this affirmation. The modality I refer to, is the frequent use the sharpened fourth degree of the Lydian modal scale, a Lydian inflection. This is core to the music subject of the song. I guess it is somewhat crazy to write modern harmonies to this ancient scale. Hence, I skip and try to incorporate this Lydian inflection on the main subject where it can work harmonically. The rhythm of the subject, “Skip on the Crazy Side” is consistent in each measure even if the notes can change sometimes to fill harmonies better. 

“Skip on the Crazy Side” is repeatedly sung in almost every measure of the song. Hearing this repeated statement is simply affirming to me that I intend to follow this path to be composing music for the rest of my life. OK, I must admit repeating the phrase, “Skip on the Crazy Side”, underneath the primary lyrics of the song may deliver a serious ear-worm effect, a different technique than an ear wormy chorus, but isn’t that the nature of a good song? Perhaps this simply creates a subliminal effect.
  
Performance Notes 
This piece is scored for small to medium vocal ensemble. There are parts written for hand claps and claves or finger snaps. These parts are intended to be a starting point for adding rhythmic emphasis. The percussive parts are intended to emphasize rhythms and enhance timing. These are optional and could be left out. On the other hand, I would encourage adding these parts. For more creativity, improvisational beat-boxing can enhance rhythms even more. Have fun with it.

Skip On The Crazy Side

A three-voice troped  version of the Agnus Dei originating from a 13th Century manuscript from the St. Andrews Monestary in Scotland in the style of the Notre Dame School.
with Ellen Hünigen and Susanne Wilsdorf- Ensemble Stella Nostra

Agnus Dei Lux Lucis

Be With Me

25th November 2022
Cordula Bürgi - Conductor
Vocal Ensemble Cantando Admont
CROSSROADS FESTIVAL 2022
Salzburg, Austria

OdE To UnReAd TeXt - Instructions Manual Of A Smoothie Blender (2022)

Music: Paul Desmond/Lyrics: Al Jarreau. Featuring Dave Robbins on drum. Joe Morello's famous drum solo is reproduced on voices by the ensemble. Arranged and directed by Réjean Marois.

Tribute to D. Brubeck

4- Take Five

A midi simulation of a piece for three female vocal lines, which can be soloist or choir ensemble. With accompaniment from piano and string ensemble. The size of the accompanying ensemble should match the size of the vocal grouping.

Song

"Livloov" for 8 voices

Performed by the Israeli Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Guy Pelc

Livloov

Robert Ramsey
"Sleep, fleshly birth"

FONOS

Sleep, fleshly birth

From Isaiah (2024)
for six voices
Reuben Esterhuizen
Premiere by EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble 
13.05.24 at Milton Court Concert Hall

https://youtu.be/R_y4l7Cc_kQ


This piece uses a short excerpt from Agnes Martin's essay 'The Untroubled Mind' as a text. I find Martin's words and paintings to be wonderful.

While writing this piece, Agnes Martin was in my mind. I was also thinking about taking things away and adding other things. Making and breaking patterns. Re-iteration and re-ordering. The piece, breathing.

"I don't have any ideas myself. I have a vacant mind. In order to do exactly what the inspiration calls for." - Agnes Martin

Thank you to Paul for his advice and encouragement, and to James and the singers of EXAUDI.

From Isaiah

Berlin's pre-eminent vocal ensemble, ‘A Song For You’ pioneers a new wave of choral music with their debut album ‘Home’.


A Song For You, are a groundbreaking vocal ensemble, uniting over 50 artists from all over the world, led by the visionary collaboration of Noah Slee and Dhanesh Jayaselan. The collective defies any form of categorisation, sitting in a sonic realm somewhere between Neo Soul, R&B and Gospel. A Song For You celebrates the rich tapestry of Berlin's musical landscape while providing a critical platform for underrepresented voices.


Over the last two years the ensemble has caught the imagination of the Berlin artistic community; most notably with their 2022 debut show at the iconic 800 capacity Volksbühne theatre which was an instant sell-out despite the band having only been known through word-of-mouth.


Their dynamic performances and refreshing embrace of choral joy has also led them to fostering creative collaborations with brands such as Levis and Carhartt. The latter of which partly-sponsored a documentary to explore the ensemble's formation as well as the albums recording process at Limusic Studios in Limoux, France, and Brewery Studios in Berlin, Germany.


Working alongside the renowned Berlin-based producer, S. Fidelity, the album features captivating collaborations with artists such as Theo Croker, Annahstasia, Moses Yoofee, Madison McFerrin, duendita, Brother Portrait, Jumoke Adeyanju and more; as well as a vast array of artists that exist within the group such as Noah Slee, Aka Kelzz, Johnny Kulo, MERON, zoudè, Nando The Native, Monica Mussungo, D.$ahin and Lyriya.


Throughout the recording of ‘Home’, A Song For You have sought to define their presence through the term ‘space’: Physically their diverse backgrounds and voices intertwine, creating a cultural space where each individual adds a unique layer to the collective. Spiritually, their music offers a space where feelings and emotions can be freely explored and processed. Harmonically, their voices merge seamlessly, forming a musical space where differences blend into beautiful unity.
“We take up space, we give space, and it’s all to celebrate the beauty of togetherness and connection. We are A Song for You.”


A Song For You continues to make waves with their captivating performances, dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices and commitment to pushing the boundaries of live soulful music and centering BiPOC narratives.


Berlin and now the world eagerly anticipates what A Song For You will bring next. This next step in their journey is surely set to take the world by storm. ‘Home’ represents togetherness, vulnerability & collective joy. ‘Home’ celebrates beauty, the moments where we feel love and finding self through ourselves. Home is you. 
credits
releases June 21, 2024

Executive Production by Noah Slee, Dhanesh Jayaselan & S. Fidelity
Music Production by S. Fidelity, Greedo, Styleboi_92, Nikodimos & weisfromgod
Recorded & Mixed by S.Fidelity
Mastered by Zino Mikorey
Lacquer Cut by Schnittstelle Studio
Brewery Studio Recording Engineer - Heinrich Matis
Limusic Studios Studio Personnel - Oliver Hotes
Red Bull Studio Personnel - Adam Ragwan
String Production - Matthieu Allemandou
Creative Direction by Dhanesh Jayaselan
Choir Direction & Arrangements by Noah Slee
Artwork by Alec Alborg

Recorded at:
Limusic Studios
Brewery Studios
Manolo Purple Studio
Red Bull Studios
Budde Studios

Buy/Stream

A Song For You - Home [LP Preview]

"Beyond Oblivion" was written in spring 2024 by Neda Nadim.
Performed by Ekmeles vocal ensemble: 
Charlotte Mundy, soprano
Elisa Sutherland, mezzo soprano
Timothy Parsons, countertenor
Gregório Tanigiuchi, tenor
Jeffrey Gavett, baritone 
Steven Hrycelak, bass

Beyond Oblivion-Vocal Ensemble

Para 8 voces solistas. Ensamble Pro-modern (Polonia)

Vocerío (live, 2024)

Composer | Guitarist

London

2023-24 LSO Panufnik Composer | 2021-22 Britten-Pears Young Artist | 2020-22 GSMD

omri.kochavi@gmail.com

www.Alphasongs.net - Everything about me and my music is there.

Recent Blog Posts
https://www.alphasongs.net/post/singing-together-this-fall

https://www.alphasongs.net/post/preview-sing-it-forward

https://www.alphasongs.net/post/feature-song-interurban-fanfare

https://www.alphasongs.net/post/alphasongs-orchestrations-on-soundcloud-playlist

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composer and performer based in london @ gsmd

Martyn Jackson studied flute, saxophone and piano at the Royal College of Music London and has for over thirty years pursued a career as a performer and music educator. Recently returning to serious composition he has written the music associated with his project 'Ancient Stones of Kernow' which focuses on the prehistory of the far west of Cornwall. He works from his music studio in St. Ives which has recording facilities and is equipped with Logic Pro X and Sibelius software along with Kontakt and Vienna Symphonic sound libuaries, with a full size Oxygen 88 keyboard.

Rhythm Section - regular dance in South London
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