Peacebomb

I am thrilled to announce my new collaboration with Tony Silvestri: peacebomb.

peacebomb has been inspired by the story of the Laotian families who once made spoons from the metal of unexploded ordnance (UXO), and now make jewelry from these bombs. As I learned more about this powerful story, I felt it deep in my heart. I wanted more than ever to tell this story through song.

A long held wish of mine has been to work with Tony, and how humbling it’s been to learn that Tony has wanted to work with me!

There are times in our lives where things work out unexpectedly. Melissa discovered the company that sells the Laotian-made jewelry while in Bryant Park with her photography students the fall of 2018. Then, while in the city together on a cold December afternoon, she took me to the store and shared the story.

A few months later, Tony and I were both attending the ACDA National Conference in Kansas City. But with several thousand choir directors, composers, and lyricists, our paths didn’t cross. Almost!

But, it wasn’t until the exquisitely performed premiere of one of my pieces by Joe Ohrt’s choir in Trenton last month where we finally met. Tony was serving a residency with Joe’s choir, and I was attending for the premiere of my new Christmas piece, “Adoravit”. We talked over pizza and salad about several projects, and peacebomb was one that stood out for both of us. 

If you and your ensemble would like to premiere peacebomb in your state during the 2020-2021 season, or if you seek further details, fill out the Contact Form at the bottom of this email. It will set up a correspondence between us.

All my best,
Michael

Peacebomb

peacebomb | 2020-2021

number of choirs | 20, up to 50, one choir per state, state premieres exclusive for the 2019-2020 season

lyrics | by Charles Anthony Silvestri

accompaniment | piano + cello + percussion

voicing | SATB divisi

difficulty | medium-advanced

length | 11 minutes

receive | reproducible PDF of score and 2 Skypehearsal sessions; choir printed on inside cover of score

scores ready | July 16, 2020 (preview possible at any time, since early states begin premiering April, 2020)

exclusive window for State Premieres | 12 months (through June of 2021)

fee | $600 (+ consortio.io platform fee, which is 7%). Due by 7/15/20. Requested by 7/7/20.

* 10% of each commission fee will be donated to MAG, to continue the clearing of UXO in Laos villages and the countryside