I'm (finally) getting started on a new work for voice (Janice Jackson) and electronics. This should be completed by the middle of November. Today I begin my search for text in earnest. I've been thinking about the direction the work will take and will, in all likelihood, steer it towards themes of earth and acoustic ecology with ecopoetics as source material for the text.

Here are some details on several upcoming events:

1. A performance of works based on Darwin will happen at the Maritime Museum on October 17. I'll be playing flute in this ensemble.

2. Two Canadian Music Centre 20th Anniversary concerts will happen this October; (1) on October 24 in Antigonish at St.FX. University and (2) on October 25 in Wolfville at Acadia. Mark Adam and I will be performing Tony Genge's work "arabesque". Eugene Cormier and Ross Chaisson, a former Acadia grad, will be performing "Time's Passing Breath" for two guitars and soundtrack. I'll post more info closer to these dates

3. The St. Lawrence String quartet will perform a new work commissioned as part of their 20th Anniversary. "Sepia Fragments" was co-commissioned by the Huckabone Family and CBC radio. The SLSQ will perform this work in four locations; (1) PEI on Nov. 12, (2) Acadia University on Nov. 13, (3) MUN in NFLD on Nov. 14 and finally in Toronto (4) on November 16 at the University of Toronto. This performance will be recorded for CBC and broadcast at a later date. I'll post more info closer to these dates.

4. The Winnipeg Symphony has invited me to be one of their "Distinguished Canadian Guest Composers" for the 2010 New Music Festival, whose theme is also Earth. I'm quite excited about this! I've finished the scores and parts for three works, two arrangements of earlier string quartet pieces that I discuss in my posting below this one, and a new commission for full orchestra and soundscape, which I also discuss below. I'll be in Winnipeg for more than a week in February and will have a chance to take in the entire event.

5. Our own Acadia New Music Festival, Shattering the Silence is starting to take shape. It will happen on Jan. 20 – 24, 2010. We've commissioned two new works, one from Jerome Blais and the other from Peter Togni, which I'm excited about! We're in the process of securing our special guest performer and solidifying the concerts and other events which will take place during the 5 days.

6. Recently announced; The Kronos Quartet will perform Tundra Songs again this year with Tanya Tagaq. More info closer to the dates...