An American Composer

During the 1930's and '40s many American composers concerned themselves with the idea of establishing an "American" sound that would distinguish them from their European contemporaries. The late modernist composer and music critic Arthur Berger attests to as much in his memoirs "Reflections of an American Composer", and while I find the idea of an "American" sound intriguing, I've never understood how such a large and diverse country could ever be wholly represented. That said, I may have inadvertently given my own approximation.

Currently in this country, such considerations are hardly an issue as composers seem more interested in crafting a unique voice for themselves than a national one. Composers today are often divided just as they were a century ago between neoromantics and modernists or post-modernists and the distinction can define how that composer is perceived in certain circles.

As a modern composer I think it's important to recognize the current landscape of art-music and its development, but I'd be lying if I said it had much of an affect on the way I approach composing. As much as I can appreciate the evolution of this art form I must admit to feeling unequal to the task of contributing --at least in regards to the medium's "advancement".

No, instead I'd like to think of myself as following in the footsteps of great classical composers like Samuel Barber and Charles Ives, but I also acknowledge having been influenced by the likes of Mancini and John Williams. A great deal of my interest in orchestra stems from my early exposure to Shirley Walker and her scores for Batman The  Animated Series, as I imagine film and TV music are an influence for many modern composers.

So while this concoction of influences and its resulting work may be unlikely to aid in the development of Western art-music, it is something I'm happy to offer anyone who would listen. I consider myself an American composer in the same way Ives did, which is without laying claim to an "American Sound", but rather by simply being a composer that's come up in this distinctive country, exposed to the plethora of music it has to offer. I hope the love I have for composition will shine through in my music, and I hope you'll be there to enjoy it.