Fragments
I think about all the places I have ever lived and feel a profound sense of loss. I am grateful to heave been exposed to different environments and experiences, but … 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
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
Is Now Not Enough? – Where Music and Poetry Meet
Have you downloaded the free track from my latest album? “Is Now Not Enough?” – read about the inspiration behind the title. Please share, like, and comment. https://soundcloud.com/dosiamckay/is-now-not-enough-1
Christmas Archangel
Small talk potluck smiles Clench my jaws tight Just like stage fright An hour of social delight In a less-traveled corner My weathered friend I finally gird myself With long … Continue reading
Flute Concerto – The Espionage
The Espionage concerto was partially inspired by a poem by the same title I wrote in 2008 (see below) and, in a wider sense, by my fascination with the spy … Continue reading
Dosia McKay – Composer Portrait – Part 1
If we have not met in person, this might be the second best. In this candid video I discuss my pathway to composition, the sources of inspiration for my music, and … Continue reading
Two Moods for Clarinet and Piano – 1. Haunted
I would like to share with you a video of a recent performance by Steve Loew and Daniel Weiser in a house concert in Arden, NC where they presented my … Continue reading
Free Download – Lush for Piano, Saxophone, and Jazz Orchestra
In the mood for something mellow today? Enjoy this free download of my composition “Lush” for piano, soprano saxophone, and jazz orchestra.
The Duty and Allegiance of an Artist – A Message of Paul Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler
This essay was originally a part of a scholarly paper I wrote while in graduate school at New York University. The main body of my work consisted of detailed compositional … Continue reading
Alone and Pensive / Solo e Pensoso
A preview of one of my tracks from my debut album Lacrimosa. Hear more music and download the album here. This track is an arrangement of the opening stanza of … Continue reading
Sweet Delirium
Sweet Delirium, one of the tracks on my new album Lacrimosa, employs sampling and layering of vocals. It also features Hardanger fiddle, a traditional Finnish instrument. Enjoy the ambience, ambiguity, and … Continue reading
A Whisperer in the Land of Shouters
Do you ever feel like a whisperer in the land of shouters? Enjoy a preview of one of my tracks from my debut album Lacrimosa. Hear more music and download … Continue reading
To Be Asked
If he could only hear That it was time That it’s been too long And would he please come Birthday or not Rain or hunting season He would have gone … Continue reading
Resuscitation
Yesterday I saw a girl Of maybe twenty five springs Clenched between the gutter Of a urine stained sidewalk And an insisting grip Of an assertive hero Compressing her helpless … Continue reading
Middle Eastern, Indian, and Western Instruments Create a Unique Blend in the Soundtrack
I recently had the privilege to work on a soundtrack to a documentary entitled “The Work is One” by Michelle Pomeroy from the NYU Wagner School of Public Service. The … Continue reading
The Bubble Tree – Winner of the Skirball Film Scoring Competition
My score to The Bubble Tree, an animation by Ran Jing recently won the Skirball Film Scoring Competition and was premiered by the NYU Symphony Orchestra in a live concert … Continue reading
How Much? – A New Soundtrack to a Short Film by Nick Ordway
Here is another soundtrack to a short film I completed recently. “How Much?” by Nick Ordway takes a look at the position of immigrants in our society. The music is … Continue reading
Will You Come Before Winter?
Will you come before winter? Frost silenced the mornings The mirror of the harbor Cracked the rays of the sun Will you come before winter? Fall fulfilled her waiting Aimless … Continue reading
Christmas Archangel
Small talk potluck smiles Clench my jaws tight Just like stage fright An hour of social delight In a less-traveled corner My weathered friend I finally gird myself With long … Continue reading
New Soundtrack – Homecoming – Short Film by Josiah Signor
I recently finished scoring a short film by Josiah Signor – Homecoming. I attempted to illustrate the emotions of this intimate and moving film with the simple instrumentation of clarinet, … Continue reading
Hunger
She is looking for crumbs of him At the table they sat That day she could not eat A nauseous heart Is a sign of a different Kind of hunger … Continue reading
Longing
Tangled breaths of water nymphs Waves’ incessant moans Intertwined in endless Ebbs and flows Nothing satisfies let me Stay let me go Neither food nor Sleep comfort wordless angsts As … Continue reading
Death by Settling Down
Used to carry wind in his pockets The call of the forests Chirped in his ears No more Found strangled in his sleep Smothered he was By a crafty hand … Continue reading
Seven Colors of Love
Love is green Like freshly-cut grass Raw earthy and sour The stiff sharp blades Pierce your bare feet Without apology Love is blue Like mother’s blouse Soft ruffles brush Against … Continue reading
Three Laments of Heloise – New Music for Chamber Orchestra
Queens Envied Me My Joys If Not With You, My Heart is Nowhere My Most Wretched Soul I am very excited to introduce my new composition for chamber orchestra entitled … Continue reading
Unpublished Poems
Unpublished poems Scratch the insides Of antique bureaus Peering through the keyholes Of rusted locks Awaiting pardon From blurred memories They stretch their Unexercised verbs While silently Mouthing censored stanzas … Continue reading
Promise Me
Promise me That you will not outgrow Running barefoot In the summer rain When the world Spits out Its schizophrenic songs Listen to the nakedness Of your heart And dance … Continue reading
Spider Webs
Spider webs are woven From fragile egos Damaged and discarded When no one is looking The hypersensitive yarn Magnifies every twinge And transmits it Through the delicate veins Of self-absorption … Continue reading
Mysteries
Mysteries are unpolished gems Unapprised treasures For a discerning collector incognito Everyone else Wants a piece of the pie But he deciphers The recipe for its fragrance Once a year … Continue reading
Unknown
The thrill and the agony Of a blank page Not quite the eternal no Not yet a sweeping yes A sketchy maybe Possibly perhaps Adorned with uncertainty And thirdguessing The … Continue reading
Unspoken
After all these years You are still walking toward me In the rain Your pale cheeks beaded With pure droplets Your clear eyes So true and unrehearsed Words are irrelevant … Continue reading
Unfurling
Be still my soul What is your unfurling? Your trembling Your flutter? What is your ache? A void that’s ever empty What is your shape That I may fill it? … Continue reading
A Winter Night
This bright-eyed morning I was passing by familiar strangers Clutching the remnants of warmth When suddenly I saw her Walking straight toward me In a black designer coat She swayed … Continue reading
Loneliness
I am looking at you You are looking at me But we don’t see each other You are a moving target And I am not sure If I am aiming … Continue reading
If My Brother Were In Town
If my brother were in town We would waste no time Discussing the weather I would parade him on the waterfront And with a paralyzing gaze I would let the … Continue reading
