Black Moon

As a composer who often integrates acoustic and digital media, I longed for a way to give a conductor moredirect andsubtle control over the timing of electronics, and freedom from having to stay in syncwith cumbersome click tracks. The answer came as I developedBeing in Time(2015) for wind ensemble, conductor-controlled electronics and interactive video:specific conductor gestures directlytrigger and move sounds in spaceby means of a Kinect controller.Black Moonbuilds on these innovations, developedwith my teamat the University of Virginia, and gives the conductor a freedom of interaction that treats the electronics as an integral member of the ensemble. Theconductorsleft-hand gestures break out of thetraditionalconductors box, so they areeasilydistinguishable. And, the parameters can be adjusted so that any conductor using them will be comfortable. This approach can also be easily adapted for performances without access to this technology with a more traditional playback system. The title,Black Moon, refers to a second new moon in a month or an extra new moon in a season.Some Wicca followers believe a black moon is the most auspicious time for casting spells or holding rituals, as the black moon endows them with extra power. The mysteries of the moon have fascinated people since ancient times, and it still holds many secrets. I, too, am fascinated by the many effects of the moon on the earth, helping it stay in orbit, as well as acting on the ocean tides, to name two. The moon's changing faces, from a glowing globe, to the barest hint of a crescent; from clearly present to completely hidden, all contribute to the captivating spell of the night sky. The cycles that give rise to a black moon, especially the difference in timing of the orbit of the moon around the earth and that of the time between new moons, form the basis of the filigree of temporal relationships in the piece. All of the electronics are based on transformed recordings of acoustic instruments, creating an organic link between the acoustic and digital worlds.