We believe in the unexpected. Our signature instrumentation sets us apart, but we make our real impact through bold new compositions that integrate chamber music conception with jazz spontaneity. We believe that great music can happen anywhere, anyhow, anywhy, and anywhen — ours is fitting music for this bright and rushing world.

I composed The Bright and Rushing World over nine difficult months. Persevering in this struggle gave me a sense of ownership over the work — I knew everything there was to know about it. But, after all that time I still didn’t know what the title should be. And I was shocked. At first it seemed like clumsy, ignorant neglect, but soon I realized something important — the piece didn’t need me any more. Now that it was finished, it was ready to go out into the world, and it wasn’t about to wait for me to give it a name. In a moment of clarity that surprised me with its intensity, I wrote this ten line poem from which I drew the title of the piece and of each movement. I had finally given the piece a name, but it had taken that long to give it the right one.

The Bright and Rushing World

the door is open
and you watch as he goes out
a seeker, insubmissive
into the bright and rushing world,
who, over years in your care,
you never thought to give a name.
you gasp and ask aloud
how can you live without a name?
a question so weightless it floats away
on the wind of his leaving.

The Bright and Rushing World, Movement 9 - a question so weightless it floats away

Just something I cooked up for Christmas before going to bed. Goodnight.

Der Voghormya

An arrangement of a classic American folk tune from a suite of music inspired by the traditional Appalachian ballad called "Awake, Awake" featuring the great Wayne Horvitz on piano with Douglas Detrick's AnyWhen Ensemble. This program of music will be released in our 14-15 concert season.

Featuring Wayne Horvitz, piano; Douglas Detrick, trumpet, arrangements, compositions; Hashem Assadullahi, saxophone; Shirley Hunt, cello; Steve Vacchi, bassoon; Ryan Biesack, drums.

Awake, Awake!

Excerpts from AnyWhen Ensemble's "Awake, Awake!" Program featuring Wayne Horvitz

Joanna Dane interviews Matt Turner on his latest album, a collection of solo cello improvisations.  

Matt Turner On Virion Impasto

By Kelley McRae In response to Psalm 93 for Spark and Echo Arts' Bible Illumination Project. 

Artist Statement:
I really love the language in Psalm 93 that 'the seas have lifted up their voice.’  And it's clear from the different translations that it's a raging sea. It’s a storm. 

The song obviously works in metaphor and (I hope) can be interpreted in different ways. But I mainly had in mind the storms we bring on ourselves and on our children. By what we have done and by what we have left undone. It's hard to see how we might find mercy for the destruction we cause. This song comes out of that struggle.

Photo Credit: Darin Back

RISING

The water's rising.
We don't have a choice.
The seas have lifted.
Lifted up their voice.

And it doesn't matter if you believe
That the punishment doesn't fit the crime.
Cause the sad sorry truth, that no one would choose
Is that our children will be doing the time.
Our children will be doing the time.

The waves are breaking.
Breaking on our shores.
The floods are rising.
Rising to our doors. 

CHORUS

Is there mercy enough for us?
I stand at the scene of the crime.
Is there mercy enough for us?
My children will be doing the time.
My children will be doing the time.
My children will be doing the time.

The water's rising.
We don't have a choice.
The seas have lifted.
Lifted up their voice.

Rising

Rising - Kelley McRae

Vitallion III
Steve Cartwright and Mick Smith

Living Off The Lump

Flower Seller -

Composer and vocalist Jessie Downs combined the texts of Psalm 29:3-4; 31:9-10; 81:3 as a “libretto” to produce her work, which is written in the form of an operatic scene for Spark and Echo Arts' Bible Illumination Project.

"The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is majestic."                                     (Psalm 29:3-4)
 
"Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
    my soul and body with grief.
My life is consumed by anguish
    and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
    and my bones grow weak."                                               (Psalm 31:9-10)
 
"Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,
    and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;"       (Psalm 81:3)

Lamentations

Lamentations - Jessie Downs

This simple song emerged from an informal workshop at All Angels' Church's 2018 parish retreat. I penned a few verses in response to a comment made by someone on the retreat, and this is the treatment that developed when I picked up a guitar and began to sing.

Draw Near To God (2018 AAC Parish Retreat)

This track is from the album Estelle's Farewell Gift and is available for purchase on CD Baby here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/benjedaneman

To Lay Down One's Life

Loved So Much

Spark and Echo Arts is creating or commissioning a work of art, music, theatre, poetry, dance, or film in response to every verse of the Bible.

Rising - Kelley McRae

Spark and Echo Arts

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