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
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
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 – 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
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
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
Arts Education Behind the Iron Curtain, Part 2
If you have not read the first part of this essay, you might benefit from reading it to establish context of the following. The first day at the Conservatory was … 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
“First In Flight” for Vibraphone and String Quartet on NPR
It’s nice to be played on National Public Radio again. “First In Flight”, my composition for vibraphone and string quartet will be featured today on WUOT Knoxville’s Morning Concert hosted … Continue reading
Working with the Cellist of NeoQuartet – Composer’s Perspective
It’s not a secret that cello is my most favorite of the string instruments, so I was looking forward to Krzysztof’s interpretations of my lyrical legato cello solos. But then … 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
Expand Your Library’s Catalog
Would your institution’s library benefit from adding contemporary music to its catalog? Speak to your librarian about acquiring Glossolalia. I recently sent the album to University of California at Irvine … Continue reading
Sweet Baby – Choral Premiere in New York
Premiere of Sweet Baby, my new choral piece, performed by the members of C4 under the direction of Fahad Siadat. New York, Composer’s Voice, June 29, 2014, Jan Hus Presbyterian … Continue reading
Glossolalia Reviewed in Poland!
“The music is ecstatic and trance-inducing, strongly influencing emotions of the listener, even one who is not musically educated”. – from the recent review of Glossolalia by Ewa Palińska in … Continue reading
A Good Sound Engineer – Don’t Enter a Recording Studio Without One
As people continue to listen to “Glossolalia“, they send me comments about the composition, the incredible quality of performance by NeoQuartet, and the nuanced mix of the recording. I am … Continue reading
Upcoming Choral Premiere in New York
This week I will be studying the score to “Sweet Baby” – a choral piece I recently wrote for a New York premiere by the members of the C4 Ensemble. … Continue reading
Working with Vibraphonist Paweł Nowicki – Composer’s Perspective
A few notes from the recent recording session of my new album Glossolalia. Today I share about working with the vibraphonist – Paweł Nowicki. Paweł made a guest appearance on … Continue reading
Working with the 2nd Violin of NeoQuartet – Composer’s Perspective
A few notes from the recent recording session of my new album Glossolalia. Today I share about working with the 2nd Violin of NeoQuartet – Paweł Kapica. Paweł very skilfully … Continue reading
What is the Role of a Composer in Music Creation?
My professor at New York University, Kent Underwood, used to say that the reality of music is not the score, but the performance. It is a humbling proposition for a … Continue reading
Glossolalia Set to Release June 4
My new album Glossolalia is set to release on June 4, 2014! Glossolalia, meaning speaking or praying in tongues, is a spiritual practice or a worship expression found in certain … Continue reading
New Choral Music
I am writing a fun piece for SATB a cappella chorus for a June premiere in New York by the members of the C4 Ensemble. The piece is entitled “Sweet … Continue reading
With Flutist Jadwiga Kotnowska
When I was in Poland, in Warsaw I visited my flute virtuoso friend Jadwiga Kotnowska. She showed me Sinfonia Concertante for flute, harp, and string orchestra by Andrzej Panufnik she … Continue reading
New Album Cover Design
I have completed the design of the cover for my new album and will be sharing it with you in a few days. To say that the concept is “out … Continue reading
Working with the Violist of NeoQuartet – Composer’s Perspective
Is it me or are all viola players naturally quiet and reserved? Michał approached the music in a very methodical and collaborative way making sure to give the preference to … Continue reading
Radio Gdańsk Studio – Album Recording Highlights
A nice note by Radio Gdańsk Studio about my recent album recording and collaboration with NeoQuartet. http://www.rgstudio.pl/newsy/1/65/dosia-mckay-w-studiu-radia-gdansk
Mixing Gear at the Recording Studio
Mixing with sound engineer Jacek Puchalski at Radio Gdańsk Studio. Let me know if you recognize any gear. http://www.dosiamckay.com/stringquartet.shtml http://www.rgstudio.pl/
What’s the Role of a Music Producer?
I feel very much at home in a recording studio. Producing an album is a strenuous mental exercise and requires a lot of patience and diplomacy. This project was very … Continue reading
Studio Music Producer
On this project I acted not only as a composer, but also as a producer. This holy book contained the schedule, all scores, parts, contracts, and detailed notes on all … Continue reading
Working with the Cellist of NeoQuartet – Composer’s Perspective
Composer’s perspective – working with the cellist of NeoQuartet, Krzysztof Pawłowski: It’s not a secret that cello is my most favorite of the string instruments, so I was looking forward … Continue reading
Working with 1st Violin – Composer’s Perspective
Composer’s perspective – working with 1st Violin of NeoQuartet, Karolina Piątkowska-Nowicka: Karolina was a very strong leader of the group and often suggested nuanced interpretations of individual melodic lines. She … Continue reading
Recording at Radio Gdańsk Studio
I am incredibly fortunate to have worked with Jacek Puchalski on my album. Jacek has an extensive experience collaborating with local and international musicians, from classical world, through jazz, pop, … Continue reading
Recording Vibraphone in the Studio
Paweł Nowicki recording First In Flight for vibraphone and string quartet. We tried three different sets of sticks today, hard, soft, and medium, and ended up choosing the hard set. … Continue reading
Studio Recording in Gdańsk
With sound engineer Jacek Puchalski at Radio Gdańsk Studio, recording the string album with NeoQuartet. The studio runs on ProTools – one of the reasons I wanted to work with … Continue reading
I am in Poland!
I have survived a major snow storm in North Carolina and, after a few flight cancellations and rebookings, I made it to Poland. I’m in Gdańsk, an old coastal town … Continue reading
Vibraphonist Paweł Nowicki To Record My Music
Meet vibraphonist Paweł Nowicki. Paweł will make a guest appearance on my upcoming album featuring my music for strings performed by NeoQuartet. He will be the soloist on “First In … Continue reading
Composer’s Diary – Writing a String Quartet – Part 2
Life, death, ecstasy, discarding two weeks worth of work, and starting over – I talk about it all. I’m taking you behind the scenes of composing my new string quartet … Continue reading
Glossolalia – New String Quartet
Glossolalia – this is the title of my new string quartet, probably the most hypnotic and ecstatic composition I have written to date. Here is a snapshot of the MIDI … Continue reading
NeoQuartet in Rehearsal – More New Music to Come
NeoQuartet in rehearsal. I am composing a new work for them to be recorded next month in Poland as a part of my new album. http://en.neoquartet.pl/home/ In this photo: Karolina … Continue reading
Cantabile Set to Record for New Album of String Quartet Music
Cantabile, one of the tracks I will be recording this winter with NeoQuartet for my upcoming album, is a slow movement from the Three Monologues for String Quartet. I composed … Continue reading
New Music For Baroque Lute – Challenges of Composition, Notation, and Interpretation
I chat with Baroque lutenist Will Tocaben about “Parting”, a new piece I recently wrote for him. We discuss the challenges of composition, notation, interpretation, and performance on a period … Continue reading
Recording a New Album with NeoQuartet in Poland
I am so very excited that I will be recording my new album with NeoQuartet. I just bought my plane ticket to Poland for February. I am not worried about … Continue reading
“Parting” for Baroque Lute – New Music for an Old Instrument
Here is the recording of my new piece for Baroque lute, but it’s probably more fun to watch the video of Will Tocaben’s performance:
Parting for Baroque Lute Now On Video
I composed Parting for Baroque lutenist Will Tocaben in the summer of 2013. At that time it seemed that everywhere I turned I saw relationships falling apart and close and … Continue reading
New Album for String Quartet Set To Record This Winter
I am very excited to announce that I am set to record a new album with a superb ensemble from Poland. NeoQuartet will record my music for strings this winter … Continue reading
New Music for Baroque Lute – Video Shoot
I am working on a music video featuring the new piece I composed for Will Tocaben and his Baroque Lute. No, I didn’t ask him to sit on the floor … Continue reading
New Music for Baroque Lute
I hope this is a familiar face and instrument to many of you. I am getting ready for a video shoot with Baroque lutenist Will Tocaben in a few days. … Continue reading
