Symphonic Works
CARPINTERIA SUITE
Cody Duke Anderson (1992)
This symphonic suite was written during the pandemic lockdowns of 2020. It is inspired by the composers daily walks along the scenic Carpinteria bluffs, with each movement representing one of the many characters to be found there:
1. Poem for a Sunrise - The morning fog slowly rolls across the bluffs before they whittle away to reveal the bright sun of a beautiful day.
2. March of the Royal Squirrels - A march for the many squirrels that dot the landscape, playfully leaping between the trees yet stoically defending their winter stashes of food.
3. Waltz of the Great Egret - This movement is based on the graceful and very purposeful stalking of the Great Egret, a large crane-like white bird that will often slowly and methodically plod its way through the tall grasses.
4. Empire of the Seals - A fanfare for the seals of the Carpinteria seal sanctuary! Listen as the seals call to each other while the waves crash along the shore.
5. The Lonely Ship at Sea - On a particularly hazy day, one lonely ship heads out to oil platforms that dot the coastline, slowly disappearing into the fog.
6. Golfing Gophers - Behold as the ever tenacious and clever gophers pop up from their homes to tease the passing dogs that walk along each day!
7. Poem for a Sunset - A final trip home from a long walk along the bluffs. Themes from the other movements all come together as the sun sets on another beautiful day in Carpinteria.
Coming soon to:
*Notes from the director* In March of 2020 it became apparent that the SBCC Symphony may not be meeting in-person for the first time since its founding in 1969. Two talented composers were commissioned to write original suites of music with movements tailor-made for a community orchestra. Since the musicians would have only one week to learn and record each movement, the difficulty and length of each section of music had to be limited. From these constraints our composers have produced two 7-movement suites of exceptional music. Each week the orchestra met via remote conference. We would begin by having some fun with music trivia or baby pictures, but quickly got down to business by playing through the new material, working-out bowings, and defining phrasing. We also rewarded ourselves by listening to the finished previous movements for the first time. Symphony members recorded themselves each week using their phones from the safety of their homes, sending the finished takes to me for mixing. This recording process can be scary since the performers are only hearing themselves and don’t have the support of the rest of the group to carry them through. Despite this, over 750 tracks were submitted during the course of the semester. The pay-off was listening to the combined product of these individual efforts with the premier of a new movement each week. Our music was truly moving and there were weeks where tears of joy were shed. COVID restrictions have forced us to adapt, yet we continue to thrive, build community, and create art. To all the members of the orchestra, thank you. Thank you for being willing to go along with my crazy ideas, thank you for being brave enough to record yourselves each week, and thank you for once again doing what we do best; come together to create an artwork that is larger than the sum of its parts. The orchestra would like to extend a huge debt of gratitude to our talented composers, Cody Duke Anderson and Scott Lillard. Your inventive music has made this semester so very rewarding and brought joy to our lives. James Mooy - Director, SBCC Symphony Orchestra
TO THE SKY
Cody Duke Anderson (1992)
Currently awaiting an updated performance and a live debut! This piece is loosely based on the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, painting a picture of the misty forest floors and tall "Avatar Mountains" as you rise up above the world.
Coming soon to:
*Notes from the director* In March of 2020 it became apparent that the SBCC Symphony may not be meeting in-person for the first time since its founding in 1969. Two talented composers were commissioned to write original suites of music with movements tailor-made for a community orchestra. Since the musicians would have only one week to learn and record each movement, the difficulty and length of each section of music had to be limited. From these constraints our composers have produced two 7-movement suites of exceptional music. Each week the orchestra met via remote conference. We would begin by having some fun with music trivia or baby pictures, but quickly got down to business by playing through the new material, working-out bowings, and defining phrasing. We also rewarded ourselves by listening to the finished previous movements for the first time. Symphony members recorded themselves each week using their phones from the safety of their homes, sending the finished takes to me for mixing. This recording process can be scary since the performers are only hearing themselves and don’t have the support of the rest of the group to carry them through. Despite this, over 750 tracks were submitted during the course of the semester. The pay-off was listening to the combined product of these individual efforts with the premier of a new movement each week. Our music was truly moving and there were weeks where tears of joy were shed. COVID restrictions have forced us to adapt, yet we continue to thrive, build community, and create art. To all the members of the orchestra, thank you. Thank you for being willing to go along with my crazy ideas, thank you for being brave enough to record yourselves each week, and thank you for once again doing what we do best; come together to create an artwork that is larger than the sum of its parts. The orchestra would like to extend a huge debt of gratitude to our talented composers, Cody Duke Anderson and Scott Lillard. Your inventive music has made this semester so very rewarding and brought joy to our lives. James Mooy - Director, SBCC Symphony Orchestra