Moveable Do

Indian-American composer Dr. Reena Esmail talks with Moveable Do this week about her unique blend of Western Art Music and Hindustani Music. Hear where her interest in Hindustani music came from and where it has taken her. Also, get a wonderful new book recommendation. Pieces featured on this episode: "The Tipping Point," "When the Violin," "Tuttarana," and "This Love Between Us." For more information about Reena and her music, visit https://reenaesmail.com. For a full archive of Moveable Do episodes, visit https://sdcompose.com/moveabledo. Keep the music moving!

Composer Craig Courtney chats with Moveable Do this week about his work with Beckenhorst Press, his time living in Austria, and how his parents found out his musical talents. With training in instrumental music, what turned him to choral music? Featured on this week's episode: "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night," "A Better Resurrection," "The Invitation" from Divine Encounter, and "Ukrainian Alleluia." For more information about Craig Courtney and his music, visit https://beckenhorstpress.com/composers. For more information about this podcast and a full archive of episodes, visit https://sdcompose.com/moveabledo. Keep the music moving!

This week, composer and lyricist Jennifer Lucy Cook talks about growing up in a musical household and then taking the leap into becoming a professional musician. As a mentee of Eric Whitacre, hear how he has helped influence and shape her career path. And, have you ever watched The Bachelor and thought, this needs a musical highlight reel, you've come to the right person! Featured on this episode: "They are Mother," "For You, I Will Be an Island," "Over and Over," and "Time." For more information about Jennifer, visit https://jenniferlucycook.com. For a full archive of episodes, visit https://sdcompose.com/moveabledo. Keep the music moving!

Composer and violinist Chrysanthe Tan joins Moveable Do this week to talk about their fascination of combining music and the spoken word, what its like to tour with Ariana Grande, and a mutual love of ours: Star Wars! Find out what Chrysanthe's favorite Star Wars song is. Featured pieces on this episode: "If You Lived in Your Body," "On the Other Hand," "Magic Lady," "I Dream of Kitty" (Premiere), and a special bonus, "Lipid Bilayer." To hear more of Chrysanthe's music, visit https://chrysanthetan.com. For a full archive of Moveable Do episodes, visit https://sdcompose.com/moveabledo. Keep the music moving! 

For this special 50th Moveable Do interview, Eric Whitacre joined me to talk about a wide range of topics. He discussed what his goals and ambitions were as a teenager, what music inspired him growing up, and how he eventually ended up collaborating with NASA. We went back to the beginnings of the virtual choir world and explored what might be next. I also got to pick his brain a bit about his composing process. Pieces featured on this episode: "Deep Field," "A Boy and a Girl," "Equus," and an arrangement of Trent Reznor's "Hurt." For more information about Eric and his music, visit https://ericwhitacre.com or do a search on YouTube. For more information about this podcast and a full archive of episodes, visit https://sdcompose.com/moveabledo. Keep the music moving!

For this special 50th Moveable Do interview, Eric Whitacre joined me to talk about a wide range of topics. He discussed what his goals and ambitions were as a teenager, what music inspired him growing up, and how he eventually ended up collaborating with NASA. We went back to the beginnings of the virtual choir world and explored what might be next. I also got to pick his brain a bit about his composing process. Pieces featured on this episode: "Deep Field," "A Boy and a Girl," "Equus," and an arrangement of Trent Reznor's "Hurt." For more information about Eric and his music, visit https://ericwhitacre.com or do a search on YouTube. For more information about this podcast and a full archive of episodes, visit https://sdcompose.com/moveabledo. Keep the music moving!

Take a dive into Orthodox Hymnody this week with composer Nazo Zakkak. Though he started as a jazz pianist, he has shifted his life to composing and conducting hymns for the Orthodox Christian liturgical cycle. Explore some very poignant moments as well as some humorous - like which of his pieces is based on a song from "Frozen." Featured on this episode, "Gladsome Light," "Canon for St. Andrew," "I Have Thee," and "The Angel Cried." For more information about Nazo and access to his music, visit http://www.nazozakkak.com/. For more information about this podcast as well as a full archive of episodes, visit https://sdcompose.com/moveabledo.  

This week Bryon Black II takes the leap from a Moveable Snippet segment to a full Moveable Do interview. Listen as Bryon talks about faith and composition, the importance of music education, and his process when arranging Spirituals. Plus, find out which VeggieTales song played a role in his early compositional pursuits. Featured on this episode: "Brotherhood," "On Christmas Night," "Magnificasti me mirabilia," and "Hold On Just a Little While Longer." For more information about the music of Bryon Black II, visit https://bryonblackii.com. For a full archive of Moveable Do episodes, visit https://sdcompose.com/moveabledo

Hear Bryon's Moveable Snippet, "Forward." https://anchor.fm/moveabledo/episodes/Moveable-Snippet---Bryon-Black-II-e17884d

Moveable Do has been named one of the Best Music Composition Podcasts by Feedspot.com. Check it out here: https://blog.feedspot.com/music_composition_podcasts/

Moveable Snippets will bring you one piece that a composer would like to share with the world. Today's Moveable Snippet comes from composer Eric Hunter and his piece "Benediction for a New Life." Learn more about Eric and his music at https://erichuntermusic.com. Keep the music moving!

Moveable Do has been named one of the Best Music Composition Podcasts by Feedspot.com. Check it out here: https://blog.feedspot.com/music_composition_podcasts/

Multi-faceted composer and performer Kurt Bestor sits down with Moveable Do this week to discuss a broad range of composing topics: from writing simple love songs, to writing film scores, to collaborating on projects with the Osmonds, to writing music for the 2002 Olympics! He also tells the story behind his wildly popular and currently applicable,  "Prayer of the Children." Pieces featured on this episode, "Olympic Flag Segment," "Come to My Garden," the World Premiere of "From Every Pore," and "Il Prete Rosso." For more information about Kurt and his music, visit http://www.kurtbestor.com/. For a full archive of Moveable Do episodes, visit https://sdcompose.com/moveabledo. Keep the music moving!