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IMMERSION
Grade 4 and beyond (DEPTH and BENEATH) and Grade 5 (SURFACE). Each movement can also be programmed separately: DEPTH (7:49) Click here to listen!
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IMMERSION was commissioned by a consortium of partners: Dr. Milton Allen, The Ohio State University Dr. Tom Duffy, Yale University Encore Wind Ensemble, Minneapolis, MN Glenn C. Hayes, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Jerry Luckhardt, University of Minnesota Steve Olsen, Rosemount High School, Rosemount, MN Dr. Robert Taylor, University of British Columbia First premiere February 16, 2011 by the University of Minnesota Symphonic Band, Jerry Luckhardt, conductor, Minneapolis, MN. The Minneapolis premiere of Immersion was recorded by Minnesota Public Radio for later broadcast. Click here to listen to each movement in its entirety. |
Downloads for perusal |
To download each movement separately, email Alex for the guest access code, then click below. |
Listen to a live premiere of IMMERSION email Alex for |
Download the perusal scores to IMMERSION email Alex for |
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DEPTH |
1. 
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SURFACE |
2.
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BENEATH |
3.
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PURCHASE ALL THREE |
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A note from Alex: |
IMMERSION is a three-movement symphony that can be presented as one longer piece, or modularly, in any combination of movements together or separately. Depth, and Beneath, are moderate in tempo, while Surface is very fast and percussive, and even suitable as an encore. The sea has been a constant in my life, and I have always lived on or next to the water. From my upbringing by the rivers flanking Manhattan, to my earlier adult life on the Pacific ocean in Malibu and Santa Barbara, living on the beach and also on a sailboat, to my current existence on the Salish Sea in the Pacific Northwest where I can kayak from my home in the San Juan Islands to outlaying atolls, I’ve spent a lot of time observing water and water-based life. My studio on San Juan Island is in a largely glass house built on the very edge of the sea with an enormous view across the Salish Sea from the San Juans to the U.S. mainland, and as I composed Immersion, the ocean and its fascinating wildlife were my constant companions. Had I not been a musician, I might have become a marine biologist, and my interest in these sciences is reflected by my participation on the Board of Directors of University of Washington's Friday Harbor Laboratories, a preeminent marine science research center. I have a deeply fortunate life, to be a composer with an inner view to working scientists, and most of all, to have a window to the daily lives of wild creatures whose private existence is often beneath the surface, in the depth of the sea. I seek to share this private world, through music. Immersion would not have been possible without the endless support, enthusiasm and collaborative work of Jerry Luckhardt, whose vision and assistance are deeply appreciated. |
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Hear Alex's description of IMMERSION, and the entire symphony |
February 15, 2012: Alex was the in-studio guest on Marvin Rosen's new music radio show out of Princeton University, Classical Discoveries, during which they broadcast all of Immersion, and spoke about how the piece came into existence. Enjoy the live premiere performance, February 16, 2011, by the University of Minnesota Symphonic Wind Band, Jerry Luckhardt, conductor. Recorded by Minnesota Public Radio; Produced by Alex Shapiro. |
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Listen to Alex describe IMMERSION, |
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Where do composers get their inspiration? See the photos of the life-and-death sea lion vs. octopus smack down as described by Alex in the interview, on this page of her blog, Notes from the Kelp. |
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"There are less than a handful of [electroacoustic] pieces in the repertoire, and nothing like this one. Alex has a unique voice in music that I find stunningly beautiful and connected."
-— Jerry Luckhardt, Conductor, University of Minnesota Symphonic Band |
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Consortium partners: |
The University of Minnesota was the lead organization in a consortium of U.S. schools that commissioned Alex to compose this multi-movement electroacoustic symphonic band work. Immersion had its first premiere in Minneapolis, MN on February 16 2011, by the University of Minnesota Symphonic Band, Jerry Luckhardt, conductor. This premiere enjoyed a multimedia aspect as well, with video and lighting designed by Jay'd Hagberg. The second of the consortium premieres took place the following week on Feb. 23rd by the symphonic band at The Ohio State University, conducted by Milton Allen. The consortium of commissioning partners included: |
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Alex Shapiro's studio, and her view while composing "Immersion."
Alex Shapiro and conductor Jerry Luckhardt, on the University of Minnesota TCF Bank stadium football field
during a marching band practice, October 2010.
Alex Shapiro's initial sketch of "Immersion" second mov't, "Surface"
Sunset from the writing desk; Canada's Vancouver Island (L) and Salt Spring Island (R).
How did this mostly-chamber music composer get into writing for symphonic band? Listen to her describe how it happened, in this two-minute excerpt from an interview she gave to Carey Nadeau from the American Composers Forum:
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