The Song of the Millenials | Programme Notes

A "Millennial" is a western person born between 1975 and 1994. Since joining "Facebook", I have become fascinated with the differences between generations and their characteristic attributes: in particular, with Millennials' innate ability to use all things digital. Therefore, inspiration for 'The Song of the Millennials' comes from the subject of screens and Internet usage in addition to the Youtube video entitled "Social Media Revolution 2", Sir Ken Robinson's ted.com talk entitled "How Schools Kill Creativity in Children" and a book by Amy and Frog Orr-Ewing entitled 'Millennia's reaching and releasing the rising generation'.

This work is called "The Song of..." because I aim to give Millennials a voice by setting some of their experiences (I) and words (II & III), followed by a message of encouragement and affirmation to Millennials through experience (IV) and words (V) all the while using harmonic schemes, gestures and rhythms derived from music that Millennials are familiar with.

I  Together Alone

A syndrome called "Together Alone" has recently been identified where individuals report feelings of isolation and loneliness even when they are in a group of people. In addition, many young people today report that they find it easier to send a text or email message than to speak on the phone or in person. In a world where much entertainment and information is delivered via screens, this condition is sadly increasing with the rise in daily screen time. The words "alone" and "together" act as both foreground and background during the first movement in conjunction with the ever-present keyboard sounds that are becoming increasingly familiar-to the point of being constant-in our world today. The solo violin line performed by Sam Ellis Kuhermann (leader of the Academia Musica Orchestra) is the commentator present throughout the piece, representing the voice of the individual that will always be heard by those who are listening purposefully; whether through the social media platforms of the Internet or in person-to-person conversations. In a world where virtual choirs, orchestras and relationships abound, both a diagnosis and a prescription for the Together Alone syndrome is communicated. When human beings gather in the flesh and create or enjoy music as a common interest in real time, the "together, together" state of being can be experienced.

IV  Real Reel

Real Reel is a response to living in a word awash with 'edited real' presentations of reality. Medley of two unaltered or "real" reels ("Liberty"Traditional American, "The Musical Priest" Traditional Irish) and an old American gospel tune, "0 Sinner Man". It is written for two solo violinists and accompanying strings in a continuous, enthusiastic, unrelenting "fiddling" style.

V  Millenials' Anthem

The final movement brings together all the performers of the previous movements in singing a traditional anthem inspired by a gospel hymn, "Jesus is Coming Again".