I Sing Words: The Poetry Project is a biennial series designed to further the realm of vocal repertoire by commissioning new works, continuing the tradition of art song, and providing accessible new music to future performers and audiences.
"I Sing Words: The Poetry Project" came to fruition in 2015, and in its past two seasons, I have premiered the works of eight composers with the collaboration of eight current poets. Since those premiere concerts, the music has been performed by over ten other singers than myself.
For "I Sing Words: The Poetry Project’s" future, I hope to continue the dissemination of new music performed on these concerts, with the pieces being published and shared with other musicians. It is the intention that these works be represented by not just one premiere concert, but that the project serves as a catalyst for many performances to come. This not only provides new music for singers, but contributes to the financial well-being of today's new music composers and poets.
A larger dedication to fundraising is now essential for the continued success of "I Sing Words: The Poetry Project." This is the next step in creating sustainability for this project, in order to ensure that all artists, composers, and poets involved may be appropriately compensated for their contributions to their performances.
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I am a sponsored artist with Performance Zone Inc (dba The Field), a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the performing arts community. Contributions to The Field earmarked for 'Jill Morgan Brenner' go directly to this project and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
SEASON TWO - 2017
Composers:
Nicolas Lell Benavides | Julie Barwick | Emily Shisko | Mario Godoy
Poets:
Janet Lewis | David Thomas Lloyd | David Hinton | Cole Swensen
Nature and Humanity
Pianist: Paul Dab
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Nature Songs - Composer: Julie Barwick & Poetry: Janet Lewis
I. Early Morning
II. The Cedar Waxwings
III. California Anna
IV. River
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Strands from ‘Fossil Sky’ - Composer: Mario Godoy & Poetry: David Hinton
I. A Thin Scree of Light
II. It’s Everywhere
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Oh: An Introduction - Composer: Emily Shisko & Poetry: Cole Swensen
I. Thinking of John Glenn - Composer: Nicolas Lell Benavides & Poetry: David Thomas Lloyd
II. The Artist
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I Sing Words: Alone/Not Alone (for solo soprano and electronics)
Electronics: Emma Logan
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From the Grammar of Dreams - Composer: Kaija Saarihao & Text: Sylvia Plath
I.
II.
III.
Note – Passing – Note - Composer: Mary Jane Leach
Bayu – bayu - Composer: Nina C. Young
The Understanding of All Things - Composer: Kate Soper & Text: Franz Kafka
Who do you think you are? - Composer: Cecilie Ore & Text by Cecilie Ore & Bibbi Moslet
What is the dream of the flesh? - Composer: Dorothy Allison
Composers:
Kaija Saarihao | Mary Jane Leach | Nina C. Young | Kate Soper | Cecilie Ore | Dorothy Allison
Poets:
SEASON ONE - 2015
An Evening of Contemporary Art Song
Pianist: Anne Rainwater
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FRAMES - Composer: Joseph M. Colombo | Poetry: Julia Lans Nowak
​I.​ Counterpoise
II. Con Trail
III. Ranges
IV. Counterpoise II
V. Surgeons Gardens
VI. Athena
VII. Vermilion Border
Even Though I Don’t Miss You - Composer: Emma Logan | Poetry: Chelsea Martin
I. I am the strong
II. I said, you said
III. Is it overbearing?
IV. The Loosest Grasp
V.​ Past, Present, Future
Spring Poem - Composer: Danny Clay & Poetry by Heather Christle
Five Poems by Matthew Zapruder - Composer: Kyle Hovatter | Poetry: Matthew Zapruder
No. 1 When It’s Sunny They Push a Button
No. 2 Poem for Japan
No. 3 Dobby’s Sweatshirt
No. 4 Screaming Skull
No. 5 Before the Poem
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Composers:
Danny Clay | Emma Logan | Joseph M. Colombo | Kyle Hovatter
Poets:
Chelsea Martin | J.A. Nowak | Matthew Zapruder | Heather Christle