September, 2024
This work is out in the world :)
and consortium members are performing it as part of the world premiere cycle.

The work is titled Discrete Structures.

From Marc Mellits:
Discrete Structures is a set of connected miniatures, each sharing musical material and each movement completing each other.  Sometimes they complete a movement that has already happened, sometimes they complete it before it even begins.  However, they are all based on the same musical material, and as I was writing each movement that material became more and more clear, completely on its own.  I wanted to create a sound world that connected to itself almost serendipitously, creating connections throughout the work.  The music of each movement on their own are very structured, the building blocks of each are all manipulations of each other, keeping the entire piece connected.  Some structures depict events that happened to me during the summer of 2024, for example, III: Survival Structure, inspired by an encounter with a homeless girl reading philosophy in the center of Bucharest, Romania; stay strong, tomorrow is another day.  Other structures compare similar material however, from different perspectives: a wooden clock turns into gold then melts into a liquid.  Serendipity can sometimes be joyous or can sometimes give pause.  Events happen seemingly on the own but often have an impact, from moment to moment, measure to measure. - Marc Mellits 

CONSORTIUM FOR A NEW WORK
by MARC MELLITS

LEAD COMMISSIONER
Laura Lentz, flutist

INSTRUMENTATION
Flute OR clarinet OR soprano saxophone OR oboe
& string quartet OR piano

DURATION
6-10 minutes

BUY-IN & DEADLINE
$250 by December 1, 2023

SCORE DELIVERY DATE
September 1, 2024

EXCLUSIVITY
Consortium members reserve the exclusive right to performances until September 1, 2025. Lead commissioner reserves right to the first commercial recording until September 1, 2025.

PIECE CONCEPT
A work that explores life’s strange coincidences, chance meetings, serendipitous events or experiences.

Consortium members:

Amy Advocat, Clarinet
Lina Andonovska, Flute
Bruce Belton, Clarinet
Paul Bertalan, Donor
Nick Carlson, Clarinet
Jenny Cline, Flute
Christopher Creviston, Saxophone
Richard Faria, Clarinet
Xin Gao, Saxophone
Joshua and Stefanie Gardner, Clarinet
Jeff Heisler, Saxophone
Michael Hernandez, Saxophone
Graeme Steele Johnson, Clarinet
Laura Lentz, Flute
Jeffrey Loeffert, Saxophone
Laura McLaughlin, Clarinet
Erin Murphy, Flute
Brad Schilit, Saxophone
Zach Stern, Saxophone
Elisabeth Stimpert, Clarinet
Jacob Swanson, Saxophone
Emily Tsai, Oboe
Stephan Vermeersch, Clarinet
Garrick Zoeter, Clarinet

Composer Marc Mellits is one of the leading American composers of his generation, enjoying hundreds of performances throughout the world every year, making him one of the most performed living composers in the United States.  From Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, to prestigious music festivals in Europe and the US, Mellits’ music is a constant mainstay on programs throughout the world.  His unique musical style is an eclectic combination of driving rhythms, soaring lyricism, and colorful orchestrations that all combine to communicate directly with the listener.  Mellits' music is often described as being visceral, making a deep connection with the audience.  “This was music as sensual as it was intelligent; I saw audience members swaying, nodding, making little motions with their hands” (New York Press).  He started composing very early, and was writing piano music long before he started formal piano lessons at age 6.  He went on to study at the Eastman School of Music, Yale School of Music, Cornell University, and Tanglewood.  Mellits often is a miniaturist, composing works that are comprised of short, contrasting movements or sections.  His music is eclectic, all-encompassing, colorful, and always has a sense of forward motion.

JOIN THE CONSORTIUM!
(12/1/23 deadline)

Two easy steps:
1. Pay $250 on Venmo or PayPal
2. Fill in contact form.
Subject: please write Mellits Consortium

Thank you!
- Laura Lentz