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Textura album review – Long These Days

“registers as a standalone work of multi-hued design, a tapestry in the truest sense.”

“sophisticated composition of integrity and craft”

“The coupling of electric guitar and piano with the singers’ rich, resonant voices produces arresting blends.”

Full article: Click HERE.

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Mostly Modern Festival – composers apply!

MOSTLY MODERN FESTIVAL~ JUNE 2nd-JUNE 21st, 2025 ~ Saratoga Springs, New York ~ SEASON SIX 

APPLY HERE

I’m really excited to be joining the composition faculty for the 2025 festival and very much look forward to meeting with the composers! Here is a link for more details.

https://mostlymodernfestival.org/
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Reviravoltas Sonoras – violin, vibraphone, and cello – now available

Reviravoltas Sonoras (2022, arr. 2024)

Duration: 7′

Click HERE to view a PDF of the score.

Click HERE for performance on October 1, 2024 at Virginia Tech

Available for purchase: Sheet Music Plus, Sheet Music Direct, and JW Pepper

When I finished the piece and brought it to the group, I asked them if any ideas for a title come to mind. Originally written for former graduate students at UNLV in 2022 (bassist Molly Redfield, violinist Lucas Martins, and percussionist Gabriela Ordoñez-Villalobos), they came up with the title, Reviravoltas Sonoras.

A note from the violinist: “The title is from Portuguese and aptly describes the playful soundscape full of twists and turns, creating the juxtaposition of percussive sounds and soaring melodies. The etymological root of the word “Reviravolta” comes from the junction of “revira” and “volta,” which both express some sort of turning, twisting, or dancing. “Sonora” is an adjective that can be translated to express resonance, reverberance, or singing.” – Lucas H.T. Martins (violin)

The piece begins with this playful interplay among the three instruments, leading into this lyrical, melancholy section featuring the vibraphone, which I labeled as “Bell Song” in the score. The violin melody that emerges at the end of the section leads back into the playful interplay from the beginning, with a bit of a nostalgic twist.

A new 2024 version for violin, vibraphone and cello was premiered on the “Jennifer Bellor Portrait Concert” held at Virginia Tech October 1, 2024 as a part of the New Music & Technology Festival. The performance featured John Irrera (violin), Annie Stevens (vibraphone), and Alan Weinstein (cello). The cello part was edited by Weinstein and many thanks to him for the markings and suggestions he made to make the original bass part fit beautifully for the cello.

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2024 Spotify Wrapped – thank you for listening!

Thanks to all my listeners for checking out my newest album! 🩷🙏 

The album I produced this year (Long These Days) was a really special project for me because it combined my passion for composing vocal music with electric guitar and piano and it featured wonderful collaborations I had with soprano Olivia Yokers, bassist Norman Espinoza, and electric guitarist Tasos Peltekis. It also combines my varied stylistic interests (blends genres) and I wanted to create an album that featured art song connected with instrumental interludes (piano with electric guitar improvisation). 

I can’t wait to create more music and dive into many more new projects and collaborations to share with all of you 😊