Voice and Piano Transcriptions
I was able to carve out some time for a song cycle I composed in 2019 for mezzo-soprano, flute, bassoon, and guitar. The piece was commissioned by visionary flutist Kate … Continue reading
New Music for Cello Solo
The first draft of the new cello piece went out to D. Scot Williams who commissioned it. Seven and a half minutes of music exploring all registers of the instrument, … Continue reading
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
Hello There, Music
No one knows I have begun working on the cello solo piece, not even Scot Williams who commissioned it. Earlier this week I casually began drafting the shape of the … Continue reading
On the Rooftop of the Kennedy Center
It was never my dream to have my music performed at the Kennedy Center. I simply did not believe in dreaming outrageous, impossible dreams. Yet the improbable happened, all the … Continue reading
New Music for Cello
I am thrilled to be commissioned by D. Scot Williams to compose a new work for cello. Not a stranger to contemporary music, Scot has previously commissioned several other composers, … Continue reading
Synesthesia
When I talk about color in music (besides being a composer, I am also a painter), I am often asked whether I have synesthesia. I do not, and I am … Continue reading
Fragility
A year ago, during great personal distress, I composed Fragility. Now I am haunted by the same feelings as are so many of my family and friends. One might have … Continue reading
New Orchestral Music
I am nearly finished writing my latest orchestral piece. It has taken me to colorful harmonic places I have not encountered before. Principal English horn players will find a blissful … Continue reading
Rapturous Amazement
What is the purpose of life? In my view, the purpose of life is to enter a state of rapturous amazement. If we take the time to look around, we … Continue reading
Serenity
This new sleek meditation app will help me find more serenity in my life. The speaker’s voice is so soothing, I can already feel myself floating gently as I am … Continue reading
Upcoming NYC Ballet Performances
Friends, I am overjoyed and deeply honored that New York City Ballet will perform two of my orchestral pieces; “Unveiling” and “Is Now Not Enough?” to the choreography of Sidra … Continue reading
The Guiding Light
Producing an album often seems like driving a car from the back seat. Theoretically, if you know where you want to go and are able to communicate clearly, and if … Continue reading
Fragility Official Music Video
Fragility official music video is out on YouTube. Fragility is the opening track of my latest album entitled Groundless. The video concept and editing are mine but the amazing videography … Continue reading
Groundless
https://dosiamckay.com/music/groundless/ I have made ambitious plans for international travel in 2020. I was considering Japan or Korea but a friend strongly suggested China. I had already purchased the plane tickets … Continue reading
Endless Immersion 3 is Here
iTunes | Amazon | Bandcamp | Spotify https://dosiamckay.com/music/endless-immersion-3/ The next installment of the Endless Immersion series and another full hour of seamless, immersive musical experience is here. As always, I have a difficult time categorizing my music. This … Continue reading
Composer Desk
I am reinventing the wheel again, that is, I am reexamining the ergonomics of my music studio setup. The three main elements always are the MIDI keyboard, the computer keyboard, … Continue reading
Instant Gratification
I crave instant gratification as much as the next person. I want minimal effort with maximum rewards. Immediate rewards. I want dopamine, the hormone of accomplishment, opening the floodgates of … Continue reading
A Unifying Principle
How do I express this movement musically? And when I hear gripping music, how do I paint it? These two artistic disciplines have been closely related in my creative output. … Continue reading
Harpsichord Concerto, II – Ballade
Traditionally, the second movement of a concerto is a slow one, allowing the audience to catch a breath between fast sections, but giving no rest to the soloist whose virtuosity … Continue reading
In Search of Divine Patterns
I have always believed that there is a divine order in all things. Studying calculus in college and diving deep into music theory showed me hidden treasures few people are … Continue reading
New Music for Viola
I am happy to reveal my new composition for viola and piano. For now I only have a recording prepared using virtual instruments, but hope to reach out to living-breathing … Continue reading
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
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
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
Fidgeting in the Sacred Space
Where have you done it? So far I have done it on the kitchen counter, in the bathtub, in the basement, in the bedroom, in the bathroom, the living room, … 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
What Is The Point Of Art Making?
What is the point of quiet and consistent art making in a world run by those who scream the loudest and who put on a gaudy circus? If I stop … 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
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
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
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
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
Music Well - Dosia McKay, Composer, Painter, Writer 