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Welcome Mark Vigil online!

Why "Contemporary Classical Composer"?

I like the technical discipline that I have to attain in order for me to be a contemporary classical composer. This discipline is an integral part of my music making process. On the other hand, I like all the artistic diversity and the possibility of creating a body of work which allows me the utmost freedom to passionately expresses musically, my understanding of Life. In short, I like to create heartfelt and hopefully artistic contemporary classical music.

I am not entirely adverse to writing adventurous music even avant garde so long as the message conveyed is kind. I must admit that I am prone to a lyrical and a more readily understandable music aesthetic. With that said, it may be noteworthy (pun intended) that I mention my early exposure to American Gamelan music. This homegrown "new music" genre was instrumental (pun intended) in shaping my less-than traditional aesthetic and approach to contemporary classical composition.

I would never consider my music as being conservative or representing the "cutting edge" of modern contemporary classical art music. If anything, the forms of my compositions are simple, the phrases asymmetric and for the most part, the incorporation of dissonance is often mild. I strive to make each composition creatively independent. Stylistically I prefer each piece of mine to be unlike any of its predecessors. I always admired this aspect of the music of the Beatles.

Ideally, my music is intended to please the listener's ear not upset it. I think life is wonderful and very beautiful. I have no complaints. So then, why should the character of my music (which is a direct reflection of me) be any different.

I prefer my compositions to reflect my love and respect for life itself, for nature and to some extent, for the tradition and sense of craftsmanship present in the history of western art music. And though I love the historical perspective and I respect the brilliant advancements made by progressive and innovative thinkers, I must admit that I prefer to write music for the posterity of the "Here and the Now." The present is very relevant to me.

I feel much more "at ease" when I am writing "music" as opposed to creating new "sound." I'm not implying that a work of art cannot come from compositions that incorporate a predominance of "extended techniques." I'm simply stating that personally I feel much more challenged and inspired by the prospects of creating new music rather than by the prospects of creating new sound.

The ability to express one's unique self artistically with music is in my opinion, not just a matter of possessing a clear dependency upon talent and a work ethic, but also upon enjoying the shear addiction to the fun of it all. Incidentally, I am implying that there is something much deeper and more special this composer can experience via an expression of a musical language independent of the science of sound. I'm talking about the ever so wonderful "Heart and Soul" of a human being. In my music, this is what I strive to "bring to the table" so to speak.

I hope that in my reticence I am not giving a distinct impression that I advocate any kind of conservatism whatsoever, I respectively do not. On the other hand, my likes and dislikes do not extend over to embrace the opposite end of the art music spectrum. The present or the Here and the Now is actually the middle of the road. It exists between the past and the future. This is where I would like to hang my hat and call it home.

Honestly, I am more interested and care more about expressing whats in my heart than whats in the pressure cooker of the music world's "ambition for innovation." Innovation is a healthy thing. However extreme innovation, in my opinion, can stretch and distort an inherently simple expresion or beautiful creativity and produce something unpleasant and unfriendly.

If someone were to ask me "Why exactly do you write music and what are you trying to accomplish?" My reply would have to be that I write music because I love to and the only thing I am trying to accomplish is for me not to waste or squander this opportunity to create or compose new contemporary classical music.

I am a member of NACUSA (National Association of Composers USA) website: www.music-usa.org/nacusa

I am also a member of NACUSA Cascadia Chapter (Pacific Northwest USA) website: www.cascadiacomposers.org

I am also a member of the American Music Center in New York City website: www.amc.net

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