Groundless – New Album
When two of your babies share the same birthday, tensions and compromises are to be expected. My album Glossolalia has already received much love in the past weeks but Groundless … Continue reading
Awakening for Viola and Piano
Ever since I have heard Rebecca Clarke’s Morpheus, my interest in writing for string instruments was piqued. I have since composed string quartets, a string trio, a piano trio, and … Continue reading
Music as Color
I don’t have synesthesia but I find that different keys (tonal centers) have distinct “flavors”. When I compose, a transposition of a musical passage may or may not make sense, … Continue reading
Watercolors for Symphony Orchestra
When I take a break from music, I turn to painting. My favorite media are watercolors, acrylics, and ink. When the paint is introduced to a wet canvas, it takes … Continue reading
Women Composers in the 21st Century
Following is a list of women composers who are living (have lived) in the 21st century. This compilation focuses on composers of contemporary classical (art) and experimental music written for … Continue reading
Glossolalia now on Spotify
I am excited to announce that my album “Glossolalia” is now on Spotify. I recorded the album two years ago with the fantastic string quartet from Poland – NeoQuartet and vibraphonist … Continue reading
Seeking an American Premiere of a String Quartet
I recently sent the score to “Glossolalia”, my string quartet, to Canada. I am happy that this piece is enjoying international travels. It has been previously performed at music festivals … Continue reading
Seven for Piano Solo
“Seven” – a newly completed piece for piano solo. A virtuosity fix of sorts. Colorful harmonies and cascading arpeggios. For virtuoso and advanced pianists. Get the score at http://dosiamckay.com/music/seven.shtml
Not Knowing
I remember that day a year ago. It was before I began composing “Endless Immersion”. I only had a general idea of what I wanted to do, too vague to … Continue reading
Anemone – A New Way of Composing and Listening
Has it been three years already since Anemone was interpreted through this beautiful dance? The final track from the album “Lacrimosa” has a special place in my heart, as it … Continue reading
I Used To Know Everything
I used to know everything, some 20 years ago. I wish I could talk to my younger self today so I could gain clarity and perspective on my present life. … Continue reading
Delusion
Art is not necessary. Art is not indispensable. There are more urgent issues such as maintaining peace, feeding the hungry, and protecting the environment. And yet, if we don’t have … Continue reading
Translating Color to Music
I feel restless again. Restless to translate these colors I have been dabbing with into music. I don’t hear the sounds yet. I just feel the need to remove myself … Continue reading
Geometry, Language, and Music – My Path to Composition – Radio Interview on “Zero Crossings”
What do geometry, language, and music have in common? The ancestral shadows, George Michael, and creative loneliness – it’s all there. I am talking about my convoluted path to composition … Continue reading
Unconventional
When I talk about Endless Immersion, I’m supposed to have an elevator pitch to capture your attention in one sentence. I don’t have it. I don’t even know what genre … Continue reading
Jackpot – New Composition Inspired by a Visit to a Casino
It is odd to imagine that a quick stroll through a casino would become an inspiration for a new composition for a chamber group, yet the surround-sound cacophony of blips, … Continue reading
Glossolalia Premieres in China
NeoQuartet is taking Glossolalia to China to the Beijing Modern Music Festival, marking the premiere of my music on the 4th continent. http://neoquartet.pl/ http://www.dosiamckay.com/glossolalia.shtml http://bmmf.org.cn/EN/CalendarDetail.aspx?id=540
Taking Musical Chances, Reaping Musical Rewards
More than a year ago I took a chance on a string quartet from Poland I have only heard in recordings. I flew in to Gdańsk, we met in person … Continue reading
“Unveiling” for String Orchestra
“Unveiling” written for string orchestra is an exploration of layers of sounds. Beginning with one solitary note, new aural strata gradually unfold in which multiple layers of counterpoint constantly shift, … Continue reading
Endless Immersion Installation
Endless Immersion Installation – the colors morph, merge, dissolve, and drift away. Just like the music. I’ve had a great response to a private showing of the installation. Each guest … Continue reading
Endless Immersion Download
Can you download single tracks of Endless Immersion? Yes, you can. There are only two of them. Each one is a seamless one-hour immersive experience, and you can preview them … Continue reading
Submerged – New Music for Piano Solo
“Submerged” is one of my early compositions for piano solo. Ever since a pianist friend played for me “The Sunken Cathedral” by Claude Debussy in ninth grade, I felt enchanted … Continue reading
Calliope – The Patroness of Inspiration
Calliope is the muse of epic poetry, the patroness of inspiration. http://tinyurl.com/muaj4ru
Cello – A Guarded Love
The more I play the cello, the more I love it. But if it loves me back, it does so in a guarded way. I have to spend many hours … Continue reading
Dear Fans, I Need Your Help!
Dear Friends and Fans, I need your help! Please help me spread the word about my new album “Endless Immersion”. I have no agent, no publicity firm, and no organization … Continue reading
Endless Immersion – A Sonic Experience
Endless Immersion is out as a 2-CD set and an MP3 download. If you are looking for a truly unique sonic experience, look no further. http://tinyurl.com/kge5osr
Endless Immersion is Live!
Endless Immersion is live! Today I am sending out all pre-orders and new orders. Are you ready to be immersed? http://tinyurl.com/kge5osr
Endless Immersion – First Impressions
“I am speechless”, “This is what music is supposed to be”, “I drove and don’t remember how I got home”, “I was so relaxed, I didn’t want to stop listening”, … Continue reading
Times of Solemnity and Reflection
Times, seasons, holidays, remembrances. It’s good to have days set aside for reflection and solemnity. Though our perspectives of the World may differ, we share the the joys, sorrows, and … Continue reading
Recording Studio Fashion
More studio fashion and drama. Clothing should always match the hardware. April 9 – Only 7 days left to the release of the Endless Immersion Album. http://www.dosiamckay.com/endlessimmersion.shtml
Beijing New Music Festival Premiere
I am very honored to learn that my music will be featured at the Beijing Modern Music Festival in May. NeoQuartet will be performing selections from our latest recording Glossolalia. … Continue reading
Endless Immersion – New Album of Experimental Music
Endless Immersion, a new album of experimental music is set to release on April 9, 2015. Endless Immersion – The Concept I want to challenge the traditional way we listen … Continue reading
Recording Studio – Inspiring Spaces
Beautiful space at the Echo Moountain Recording Studios in Asheville where I recently worked on Endless Immersion. We didn’t master in this exact room, but I like to peek in … Continue reading
Testing the Quadraphonic Setup
A pair of new JBL studio monitors aka high fidelity speakers to complete the quadraphonic setup for the Endless Immersion installation. I tested them yesterday with one stereo layer of … Continue reading
Mastering Endless Immersion
With sound engineer Julian Dreyer at the Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville during the mastering session for Endless Immersion. We worked together on the final mix concentrating on proper … Continue reading
Endless Immersion Installation – Peek Inside
An early peek into the Endless Immersion Installation. Much work left to do but all elements are slowly coming together. Working in earnest with visual artist Lynda Sondles. http://www.dosiamckay.com/endlessimmersion.shtml
Black
Today my hair is nearly black. I am wearing black turtleneck and black pants. I carried my lunch in a black paper bag, forgetting that I already had another black … Continue reading
Do I Have To Conform?
This happened. A note from my dear, kindhearted film scoring teacher Ira Newborn while I was studying at NYU. He wrote it in my notebook after I told him that … Continue reading
Surround Sound or Double Stereo?
Homework for the Endless Immersion installation. It’s not a simple surround setup. I need two independent stereo systems playing simultaneously. I can’t say that I am bored. http://www.dosiamckay.com/endlessimmersion.shtml
I Want To Run Away
I just received the final proofs of the printed CD cover of my upcoming album and I just want to run away. No, there is nothing wrong with it. In … Continue reading
Work Hard, Play Hard
I am working non stop on this latest release, hoping to bring the music to life this April. Music is done, graphic design for the album cover is done. Now … Continue reading
Aurora – For Stereo Headphones and Closed Eyes
Aurora – Meant for stereo headphones and closed eyes. http://www.dosiamckay.com/lacrimosa.shtml
Endless Immersion – Challenging the “Stereo-Types”
With sound engineer Julian Dreyer, trying different alignment patterns for the looping layers. There are so many interesting combinations, there is not enough lifetime to explore them all. We are … Continue reading
Endless Immersion – Painting With Sound
Painting with sound – I spent a solid day in the studio working with the sound engineer. This project feels very much like painting to me. I stretched the canvas … Continue reading
Music in a Kaleidoscope?
I am putting finishing touches on Endless Immersion before I take it to the recording studio for final edit and mastering. Until today, the “kaleidoscope” design of the music was … Continue reading
Composer Portrait, Part 1
Fun to re-watch. If only for the old hair.
Color Me Blue – New Music for Soprano Sax, 2 Vibraphones, and Bass
I am updating my score catalog and came across this fun piece for soprano saxophone, 2 vibraphones, and bass. Jazz meets counterpoint! http://www.dosiamckay.com/mp3/DosiaMcKay_colormeblue.mp3 http://www.dosiamckay.com/music/colormeblue.shtml
Expletivo – Music So Vulgar It Should Be Bleeped Out
This is high-brow art music, and so it is proper to hide behind a made-up Italian word like Expletivo, but the essence of this movement might be better expressed through … Continue reading
Music Well - Dosia McKay, Composer, Painter, Writer 