Polluted Skies
2023 American Guild of Organists Student Commission Project
Solo Organ (7’15”)
Polluted Skies is the result of an intensive collaboration between Joseph Little and Ryan Meredith at Syracuse University. The duo first met in an Advanced Tonal Analysis class. They both had interests in expanding the repertoire for organ, influencing them to apply for the American Guild of Organists Student Commission Project. Ryan and Joseph were one of four composer- organist duos awarded funding through this grant. Throughout the process, they frequently met at the historic Holtkamp organ in Crouse Auditorium, exchanging sketches and developing registrations. Together, Ryan and Joseph were able to create something entirely new for the organ.
The piece explores cloud-like atmospheres in two movements. The first movement, “Clouds,” rotates some peculiar chords through a series of spaces. Between these chords, short flourishes emerge like stars shining through a midnight haze. The second movement, “Stars,” explores these same star-like flourishes through a cycle of polyrhythms, a compositional idiom which is somewhat alien to the organ. Eventually, the stars emerge from the rhythmic texture and completely fill the sky.
2023 American Guild of Organists Student Commission Project
Solo Organ (7’15”)
Polluted Skies is the result of an intensive collaboration between Joseph Little and Ryan Meredith at Syracuse University. The duo first met in an Advanced Tonal Analysis class. They both had interests in expanding the repertoire for organ, influencing them to apply for the American Guild of Organists Student Commission Project. Ryan and Joseph were one of four composer- organist duos awarded funding through this grant. Throughout the process, they frequently met at the historic Holtkamp organ in Crouse Auditorium, exchanging sketches and developing registrations. Together, Ryan and Joseph were able to create something entirely new for the organ.
The piece explores cloud-like atmospheres in two movements. The first movement, “Clouds,” rotates some peculiar chords through a series of spaces. Between these chords, short flourishes emerge like stars shining through a midnight haze. The second movement, “Stars,” explores these same star-like flourishes through a cycle of polyrhythms, a compositional idiom which is somewhat alien to the organ. Eventually, the stars emerge from the rhythmic texture and completely fill the sky.
2023 American Guild of Organists Student Commission Project
Solo Organ (7’15”)
Polluted Skies is the result of an intensive collaboration between Joseph Little and Ryan Meredith at Syracuse University. The duo first met in an Advanced Tonal Analysis class. They both had interests in expanding the repertoire for organ, influencing them to apply for the American Guild of Organists Student Commission Project. Ryan and Joseph were one of four composer- organist duos awarded funding through this grant. Throughout the process, they frequently met at the historic Holtkamp organ in Crouse Auditorium, exchanging sketches and developing registrations. Together, Ryan and Joseph were able to create something entirely new for the organ.
The piece explores cloud-like atmospheres in two movements. The first movement, “Clouds,” rotates some peculiar chords through a series of spaces. Between these chords, short flourishes emerge like stars shining through a midnight haze. The second movement, “Stars,” explores these same star-like flourishes through a cycle of polyrhythms, a compositional idiom which is somewhat alien to the organ. Eventually, the stars emerge from the rhythmic texture and completely fill the sky.