Premieres!

Wow... Wonderful new music from Jennifer Linn and Dennis Alexander that we just heard! Both pieces were well-received and were just lovely!


Jennifer Linn is sharing the story of her trio, Serendipity. She and her husband moved to Cody, Wyoming 25 yrs ago when her son had just been born. Her husband had taken a teaching job in WY. Jennifer heard that Dennis Alexander was doing a teacher workshop in her new town, and she went. She said only about 8 people attended and she won the door prize! She was inspired by hearing a composer play his own works. She said this is all serendipitous!

Dennis Alexander is talking about how honored he is to share the stage with Jennifer. She has become a "real force" as a composer. Many of us have taught her music.

They are gushing with thanks for each other!

Dennis: in 1986, Dennis met Amanda Vick Lethco for dinner and she asked Dennis to do some workshops for Alfred to help her and Willard show their new method. They wanted a young "whippersnapper" to give workshops. Dennis flew out to CA to meet Morty and Iris Manus, and was surprised that Morty himself picked up Dennis at the airport! Morty asked Dennis if he had ever written any music, and Dennis said no, "no one had ever asked me." So, Dennis started writing, and 27 years later, here we are! Dennis didn't expect it to turn into a career!

Ann Rivers Witherspoon, who is moderating the session, asked Dennis to name his own favorites of his own compositions. He mentioned the 24 Character Preludes. Also, With These Hands, which Dennis wrote after his son passed away in 1999.

Jennifer... Favorites of her own compositions... The Hummingbird, for her ability to write in a French style. It captures the spirit. Les Petites Impressions and Reflections... Favorite books. "By the Waterfall" is one of her favorites. It's a very nice "pre-Debussy" piece.

Ann said one of her favorites of Jennifer's compositions is the Arabesque and a favorite of Dennis's compositions is Toccata Brilliante (has saved lots of musical careers!) Dennis mentioned that his inspiration for that piece is Sunbird by Lynn Freeman Olson.

Dennis pointed out that you never know which piece will be popular and sell lots of copies.

Both of these composers normally write for piano solo and duet, so these premieres pulled them outside of their usual oeuvres. Dennis also mentioned he had never written before for strings. He tried to give both of the string parts an opportunity to shine.

Note that both of these pieces were written for intermediate high school players. Dennis's piece is published by Alfred and Jennifer's composition is published by Hal Leonard. If you are attending the conference, you can purchase these pieces in the exhibit hall at the Alfred booth (Dennis) and Hal Leonard booth (Jennifer) and the composers will even sign them for you or your students!


Here are recordings of both pieces:

SERENDIPITY by JENNIFER LINN: http://youtu.be/ws4djKrU01w

DANCE SUITE by DENNIS ALEXANDER:  http://youtu.be/4gRblGqe9SM