Issue link: http://saihq.uberflip.com/i/1089215
PAN PIPES Winter 2019 11 M usic exists in an infinity of sound. I think of all music as existing in the substance of the air itself. It is the composer's task to order and make sense of sound, in time and space, to communicate some- thing about being alive through music." — Libby Larsen Libby Larsen, a Sigma Sigma initiate and SAI Member Laureate, visited Ithaca College (IC) from ursday, October 11 to Saturday, October 13, 2018. While there, she held multiple lectures and her work was performed by a wide range of students. On ursday, she gave a guest lecture in composition, discussing her work style and muse for writing. In her lecture she mentioned the pleasure and her preference to write by hand rather than using technology, simply because of the inflection and character of one's own hand writing compared to a symmetric, rigid computer composition. Friday, she gave an open lecture titled "Composing an American Life: Women in Composition and Gender" based off of her new biography written by Denise Von Glahn, Libby Larsen: Composing an American Life. Larsen discussed her introductions and experience with music growing up, from Gregorian chant days in school to the "rock and roll" of the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Larsen explained that the technology development and revolution throughout her childhood and adult life inspires a lot of her music. For example, Four on the Floor was written in response to the Challenger explosion. Saturday, Ithaca College students performed her pieces, as did the artists in residence — Brooklyn Art Song Society — having received instruction from Larsen herself while she was visiting. In addition to Larsen's music, there were performances of reference music written by other composers that she used as inspiration in writing her own pieces. It was an honor to meet her and to hear her story and the stories she tells through her music. Submitted by Kathleen Cadorette, an initiate of Epsilon Chapter at Ithaca College, serving as recording secretary, historian, and editor. She is pursuing a Music Education degree with a Concentration in Oboe. Composer Libby Larsen (third from left) with members of Epsilon Chapter. Member Laureate Larsen Speaks At Ithaca COMPOSERS IN THE NEWS