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A 2020 Update

In this update you will find…

What’s New - A quick overview of the year

What’s Next - Some upcoming projects

IMO - A short blog in support of music teachers

Dear Colleagues & Friends,

The most polite way I can describe 2020 is as a year that tested our ability to adjust and adapt. Everyone has been affected by this pandemic. With all of the variables that the last year has brought, I want you to know that if there is anything I can do to help you or your students, ask, and I will be there to help in any capacity that I can.

Thank you to all who programmed my music, asked me to write for, or work with your class or ensemble. Because of you, I am able to maintain a career in music. I do not take your support lightly and am grateful every day that I am afforded this opportunity through your confidence. Because I know that space in your inbox and your time is valuable, I rarely write an update. Below is a collection of information about projects and happenings during 2020 and looking toward 2021.

What’s New

Anti-Social

First, I don't social media anymore (my last personal FB post is above). I made a choice to break from most of my accounts. I do still use Twitter (only because I don't find it addictive), and I also run the Rob Traugh, Composer Facebook page with updates and try to interact from there. If you want to reach me, the best way is through email, text, or phone! #OldSchool

“Cartwheeling”

Cartwheeling is my flexible instrumentation concert band composition. This piece took its origins from all of the outside time that my family had this past summer. My daughter Maia learned to cartwheel and spent the whole summer cartwheeling around our yard. I realize this isn't very deep "arting" (that's a verb). But, I did appreciate the simple, child-like fun and wanted to write something whimsical for this new category of composition. I also threw in some musical humor. You can find a score and recording by clicking the image above.

“When The Fog Lifts”

photograph by João Cruz

Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich reached out to me in early 2020 to begin conceptualizing a piece of music for the 2021 Honors Flute Choir at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Through the process, she shared with me a recording of the Oslo Kammerkor singing a traditional Norwegian folk song "Når mitt øie, trett av møie" (translated as "When my eye, tired of toil"). This piece of music was so beautiful and straightforward, in 2020, it was precisely the type of music that resonated with me. 

I used Når mitt øie, trett av møie as the inspiration for When The Fog Lifts. Drawing upon the opaque nature of what the world has been going through in the last year amidst a global pandemic, contentious election, and general cloudy future, I used this idea to inspire the piece. The use of melodic fragmentation, an aeolian flute palate, vocalization, and tonal clouding give the listener a sense of watching the fog lift and give way to more clarity. This piece resembles that idea, leading to the work's apex directly inspired by the traditional folk melody.  Click the image above to hear more!

Thanks to Dr. Eisenreich for initiating this collaboration!

“A Gift Resounding”

I completed a memorial commission for the Norwin Band in early 2020. In the fall of 2019, Tim Daniels, Director of Bands at Norwin High School, asked me to write a commission for the Norwin Bands honoring a student's memory, who was lost just months before. I am looking forward to scheduling a premier of this with Norwin when we can organize this. Until then, any potential performances will be on hold.

“Through These Woods”

Since 1965, the North Hills High School Bands have annually commissioned a composer to create a new wind band work. I am honored to contribute to that collection in 2020 with “Through These Woods...” Thank you to the North Hills High School Band Directors Len Lavelle & Lucas Beaver, for the opportunity to interact with you and your students through early 2020. The premier at the 2020 MFA National Festival was canceled; however, you can check out a rehearsal recording and score of the piece by clicking the image above. Lucas Beaver did a fantastic job bringing this composition to life under his baton in the rehearsals.

Free Etudes Avaliable!

In 2020, I finished a series of 20 FREE etudes. To learn more about this and check out the etudes that have been written thus far, click the link below!

If you hear an etude you like and would like it transposed for your instrument, send an email!  

What’s Next

In addition to teaching as an adjunct at Duquesne University and doing some work with the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras, I’ll be continuing to compose through 2021. Here is a preview of my current project.

New Music for Saxophone & Percussion

I am just finishing up a collaborative composition with composer David Reeves for saxophone and percussion octet. I met David in 2007 when I was beginning to dabble in composition. David has been a great mentor and friend since then.

Equally incredible people, Dr. Jason Kush and Dr. David Glover at Slippery Rock University, are leading the consortium to sponsor this piece. It is turning out to be one of my favorite projects thus far.

If anyone is interested in joining the consortium last minute, send me an email, and I can send you more specific information to peruse. I will send a separate email in January with more details about the completion of this project.

Commissioning Music

I am currently available for commissions. If you are interested in collaborating with me to create new music for your group, send me an email inquiry and ask for more information about the timeline and pricing. It is best to allow a significant amount of time to create new works—the more time to write ultimately, the more meaningful and appropriate the work. I also have a few composer friends I can direct you to if you are looking for something different!

I am also available to collaborate through zoom!

Pageantry

For those of you who are interested in working towards fall pageantry design, we can start to plan in January. Send me and email with your thoughts!

Upcoming Scheduled Performances!

February 28th, 2021 @ 7 PM via Facebook Live - The Slippery Rock University Honors Flute Ensemble will be premiering "When The Fog Lifts" a piece commissioned by Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich and the Slippery Rock University Flute Studio.

Report An Upcoming Performance!

IMO

There is no doubt this year has been disheartening for society as a whole. It is easy to read or watch the news and become discouraged by what you see every day. What typically doesn't get enough credit is how much teachers and students have stepped up to the plate. Society can take a collective lesson from teachers, and the generation of students currently experiencing significant change. Teachers continue to demonstrate what it means to rise to the occasion and move forward through countless obstacles.

The situations our teachers of all levels find themselves in are inconsistent and unpredictable. Resources are less than what is needed across the board to handle what is/will be demanded. I would encourage anyone who reads this update to send a note of appreciation and support to your local music programs as they move past the pandemic. The challenges of maintaining and remodeling our performing arts programs begin when the pandemic ends. We can all help by offering a donation in kind, money, or time to support these professionals. Be involved as a citizen of your arts community.

President John F. Kennedy once stated that "Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource." Now is the time for the entire community to partner with and preserve our music programs for the general good they offer to our world. The bottom line is, what happens in schools is our path to a more enlightened future. Teachers and this generation of students are to be admired. Against all the odds and inequity, you make this world a better place to live. Thank You.

Happy Holidays!