Composer Seeks Musical Birds & Other ‘Singing’ Pets for concert, June 13, 04
May 17, 2004 — Do you have a warbling bird, howling husky or wailing cat? Composer Kirk Nurock, who has written numerous works for ‘cross-species’ ensembles, is seeking such pets for a concert on June 13 (+ 1 or 2 rehearsals in Manhattan).
There is no harm or manipulation of any kind to the pets. They will always be respected by the sophisticated jazz musicians who will listen deeply and improvise with them.
The compositions include carefully-notated sections for the musicians as well as improvisatory structures for the interplay between species. The music is meant to have a natural/spiritual flow, rather than merely present novelty or tricks. The work is based on a Darwinian theory that certain animals are more musical than others and often vocalize purely for the pleasure of making sounds.
Juilliard-trained, Nurock has led a distinguished career over some 30 years in the music world. He orchestrated for Leonard Bernstein and Dizzy Gillespie, composed a work for 25 voices and the animals of the Bronx Zoo, and currently holds a professorship at New School University. For further info please visit www.kirknurock.com.