Trombone Compositions Written by Modern Day Female Composers, Inspired by Amy Riebs Mills
(2025)
author(s): K L Blackburn
published in: Codarts
This research paper belongs to the Performance Practice area of study. It is to give more insight into a not so well known female composer, Amy Riebs Mills. It’s also to understand why there is not so much brass music written by women. As well as finding new ways to compose and create unique pieces to add into the trombone repertoire whilst working with a female composer. Using research methods such as literature, interviews, reenactments, experiments, analysis of scores and recordings. I wanted to take time to explore an area that I'm passionate about and give another example to the future generation of female brass players, as nothing should change because of our gender.
I looked to find approaches that suited my playing when it came to the parameters of articulation, dynamics and glissando; as well as exploring the attributes it takes to compose a challenging but enjoyable piece influenced by the works of Amy Riebs Mills. Examples include: Red Dragonfly, Golden, Catharsis, One More Mountain and Journey One: Hints of the Middle East. Additionally, I worked alongside a talented female composer, creating a personal piece of music that explores interesting parts of the trombone.
I reached an artistic result of two new pieces for the trombone. Approaches to the parameters were explored, achieved and an analysis of Mills’ works were organised and utilized. I used this creatively in pieces that show not only my intended outcome, but also a part of myself. I hope that this research now provides information in an area that was not so commonly known and can also show that women can be powerful.
Unknown Beyond Abyss: Toward Vocabularies of/for/at the Limit
(last edited: 2025)
author(s): Julia Hoelzl, Derrick Ryan Claude Mitchell, Ruth Anderwald
This exposition is in progress and its share status is: visible to all.
At this time of exception, in these extra-ordinary times there seems to be no limit to the limit: Once an extreme, excessive and acute experience, the limit has become an all-inclusive, continuous condition that coincides with a lack of language and other forms of expression and connection. Aiming to collaboratively inhabit and investigate this border experience, the objective of this project is to create contemporary vocabularies and related contextualizations of/for/at the limit. In order to do so, the project’s design for 36 months will develop 3 arts-based research programs exploring 3 select limit-experiences: The Unknown, The Beyond, The Abyss. Each of the interrelated programs includes a score of 5 formats: banquet, symposium, exhibition, podcast and performance collaborations with Saint Genet, Tianzhuo Chen and Marina Abramović.