http://www.alexshapiro.org/Articles/Shredding-TheMakingofPaperCut.pdf

Thanks!

This summer, I’m writing a four movement wind band work titled “Immersion,” for a consortium of seven commissioners, including five universities, one high school and one pro ensemble.

The band world is wonderfully open and inviting to new band composers and their un-band-like voices and ideas. What sets “Paper Cut” and “Immersion” apart from most other band repertoire is that they’re both electroacoustic, and multimedia (“Paper Cut” makes extensive use of printer paper as an instrument and a visual, and “Immersion” will have video), which makes these projects amazingly fun for me. The band directors with whom I’ve worked have been absolutely marvelous and supportive, and I learn so much with each new piece. I’m constantly encouraging my peers to get into this world!

This December will be my third year attending the enormous Midwest Clinic in Chicago (http://www.midwestclinic.org/) and I recommend it to all as a terrific way to meet friendly musicians who are genuinely interested in new works, especially from those of us who hail from outside the traditional band environments. Stop by and say hello to me at the ACF booth, and I’ll happily make lots of introductions for you!