Limitation as Freedom
I am discussing the concept of limitation in the context of artistic freedom. When I am faced with the whiteness of my creative page, I like to set limiting parameters … Continue reading
Symbiosis – An Artist’s Internal Dialogue
An artist’s internal dialogue never stops. Isn’t it enough that I have to interact with the outside world? Wouldn’t it be nice to “come home to myself” for the respite … Continue reading
Impression for Piano Solo
Look at what I have unearthed for you! I composed “Impression” in 2007 when I was studying composition at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. At that time I was … Continue reading
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
Joyful Surprise
By all calculations I should not have a good day. Yet I woke up with a renewed strength and a desire to face obstacles on my path to creativity. Give … 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
Unquenchable
I was not born with a paint brush in my mouth. My father was an engineer and spent hours (after work) drawing futuristic cars with ink pens on graph paper. … 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
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
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 Installation and the Magic Algorithm
The Endless Immersion installation and the creative process of composing the music for this unique environment. I discuss the double stereo loop design and the capabilities of the magic algorithm. … 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
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
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
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
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.
I am an Exhibitionist
I am no psychologist, but sometimes I think that our adult years are only meant to be spent resolving our childhood dramas and fulfilling our infantile dreams. Why do I … Continue reading
Being Uncreative
Today I was asked to please go to my studio and work. Apparently I am unbearable when I don’t create.
Custom Portrait
Have you ever had a portrait drawn? Would you like to surprise a loved one with a unique gift? Commission a custom portrait and I will prepare one of a … Continue reading
New 3-Dimensional Music
If I have been quiet recently, it’s because I am working intently on new music. It’s a large-scale innovative project whose harmonic progression and formal design resembles some of my … Continue reading
New Music Composition Design
Design of a new composition I am working on. It keeps changing as I am going forward. So many moving pieces to keep track of.
New Music, New Year, New Ideas
I am concocting something new. It’s too early to talk about it, even though I have been working on it for a couple of months, but I might be able … Continue reading
New Music and Graphics Hardware – A Tablet
A new baby, or rather big daddy – Wacom Intuos Pro tablet. I have had it for about three weeks and love it. I have been using it for music … Continue reading
Why You Are Afraid to Commission a Composer
You are a soloist, a music director of an ensemble, or an artist in another field looking for original music to complement your project but you are apprehensive because You … Continue reading
New Music for Classical Guitar – Recording in Argentina
I am pleased to announce that Sergio Puccini, an Argentine guitar virtuoso, will record “Parting” for inclusion in his upcoming album release. I am thrilled that my composition will be … Continue reading
Nuts and Bolts of TrancePhonica
Here are nuts and bolts of TrancePhonica during the mastering session with Julian Dreyer at the Echo Mountain Recording Studio in Asheille. Music composition, sequencing, mixing, and editing are very … Continue reading
Top 12 Comments from my Composition Professor
My first composition professor Dr. Kenneth Jacobs recently celebrated his retirement from the University of Tennessee. I have learned a great deal from him through many tears and hard work … Continue reading
How to Commission New Music?
Because sometimes people don’t know what to expect when they approach a composer, I am publishing my Creative Fee Schedule for Concert Works. Soloists, ensemble directors, patrons, let’s build the … Continue reading
New Lute – New Music!
While Will Tocaben is transcribing my new piece from the traditional notation into the Baroque tablature, he is also waiting for his new instrument to be built. Here is the … Continue reading
Music Well - Dosia McKay, Composer, Painter, Writer 