CONCLUSION
This year has been a period of remarkable productivity for me. From the outset, I established a clear aim of consistently sharing or performing my work each month, which proved to be a valuable motivator in maintaining my creativity and outputting new work. This approach not only facilitated ongoing output, but also enabled me to build relationships with performers and cultivate a circle of trusted collaborators.
Throughout my undergraduate studies at the Conservatoire, I consistently delved into various facets of composition, spanning orchestral music, arrangements, film scoring, solo pieces, and more. This year, a notable highlight emerged as I seized the opportunity to craft and witness the performance of approximately one hour of orchestral music. Notably, ten minutes of this are showcased within this exposition, while the remainder forms integral components of my final major project. Hence, a significant portion of my focus this year revolved around collaborating with large ensembles. Furthermore, I capitalized on the chance to nurture closer bonds with performers, particularly by diversifying the range of pianists I collaborate with and compose for. Crucially, this period also marked a personal reawakening, wherein I rekindled my identity as a traditional performer and reignited my connection with various elements of Brazilian culture, hitherto overlooked in my compositional endeavours. This resurgence manifested through the incorporation of Portuguese text and the integration of guitar, a skill acquired during my time in Brazil, into my creative approach.
As I anticipate embarking on my first year of post-graduate studies, I intend to persist in the realms of arranging and orchestration for diverse ensembles, an area of significant focus for me, alongside my own compositional practice. Concurrently, I aspire to delve deeper into choral composition, spurred by an upcoming commission, while also dedicating myself to the creation of original pieces for larger ensembles. Furthermore, I am committed to nurturing and expanding upon the relationships forged with the pianists with whom I have collaborated with this year.
Conversely, reflecting on the past academic year, I acknowledge a sense of longing for more intimate creative collaborations. I found myself assuming sole responsibility for much of the creative process, thus assuming an almost authoritative role. This departure from the collaborative dynamics I cherished in prior endeavours was largely attributable to the nature of the projects I undertook. Additionally, I lament the missed opportunities to engage with chamber groups in the performance of my compositions. Despite incorporating a chamber group into a segment of orchestration for my major project, the constraints of time precluded any substantial collaboration on new compositions with chamber ensembles.
Reflecting on this academic year, I find it to be exceptionally fruitful and productive. Upon retrospection of my first year at the Conservatoire, I recognize that a theme of fostering performer independence within an ensemble permeates through the majority of my compositions, a trait evident even in works from my first year. Notably, there has been a marked improvement in the quality of scores and the presentation of recordings, attributed to my commitment to diligently document all projects, resulting in more polished and professional outcomes. Crucially, the opportunity to collaborate with diverse ensembles and individuals has been invaluable. Particularly noteworthy was the privilege of having my work performed by the CBSO, an experience that has ignited a fervent interest in furthering my portfolio with professional orchestras and ensembles.
INSTRUCTIONS & NAVIGATION
- The exposition has 7 works presented in a grid. Click on the image of a work to learn more about it. This will open a new page in the same tab.
- Each page includes a banner at the top bearing the title "Vinícius Motta Creative Portfolio 2023-24". To return to the main grid, click on this banner. This will open a new page in the same tab.
- The conclusion is encountered further down on this page.
- This exposition includes 2 types of buttons:
INTRODUCTION
This is a portfolio of works I composed during the 2023-24 academic year at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Expanding on my last years’ experience, I participated in various projects and set a personal goal to have at least one performance of my own work, performance or recording project each month. This allowed me to enjoy a range of compositional, and performance opportunities, including film music, choral music, creative arranging, solo piano and solo guitar performances, alongside 40 minutes of orchestrations for orchestra and 20 minutes of orchestrations for a chamber group. With my works opening a concert at Symphony Hall, at St John Smith Square, and at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
This exposition provides a platform to showcase my work and comment on my creative process. Please note that this portfolio excludes my orchestrations, which were a crucial part of my musical practice this year and served as my final major project, available here (by pressing the “ARRANGEMENTS” button).
