Summer Composition Camp at Illinois Wesleyan!

Written by Joshua Iyer
Published: June 17, 2014 at 5:17 AM [UTC]

Today was my first (official) day at composition camp, and I learned a lot! Dr. Pelusi even showed us one of his string quartets to talk about bowing and articulation. Our project, due Thursday at 10pm, is to write a trio for flute, cello, and piano, developing motives and written in three sections, one contrasting the others. I think I'm doing okay so far... It's kind of a cross between Debussy and maybe even Stravinsky, especially if I darken the middle section a little more. I composed my pencil and paper outside, then typed it into my computer in the evening. It sounded like cicadas and summery, so it was cool! I here crickets chirping out my window as O type this... Anyways, composing in my dorm at 12am is fantastic! Too bad I didn't bring my violin... I would annoy a lot of people if I were practicing then... Speaking of which, I hope when I get home to play the flute part on the violin, since both instruments are fairly comparable with each other. :)

I'm also excited for Thursday, when we'll be discussin film scoring! He's made a lot of references to John Williams already; he's copied down and worked with Williams in the past. He says the best way to learn a technique is to literally, by hand, copy a score. I'll have to try that...

Anyways, that's all for now. I'll be able to get back to practicing violin as early as Saturday evening, since that's when I'll be coming home. It already seems like I've been here forever, yet I've only been one day... I kind of don't want to go back home, actually, but oh well.

I also watched Brave today during a break between composing sessions. The score was composed by Patrick Doyle (Goblet of Fire)! :)

Probably should be getting to sleep now. Bye!

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