Draft:Mary Kouyoumdjian
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Mary Kouyoumdjian is a composer and documentarian. Her compositions span a range of genres from formal concert works to film scores to multimedia collaborations that often involve many other artists. Influenced significantly by her identity as an Armenian-American, her music draws inspiration from both her personal experiences and those of her family. Kouyoumdjian has commissioned works for a wide variety of ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Roomful of Teeth, Los Angeles New Music Ensemble, and Experiments in Opera, among others. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Composition at Boston Conservatory and a Lecturer at Columbia University. She has also been a faculty member at The New School, Brooklyn College’s School of Cinema, Mannes Prep, and New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers Program.[1] She continues to compose to this day and currently has three works in progress.[2]
Education and Early Influences
[edit]Mary Kouyoumdjian’s musical journey began in early childhood, driven by her parent’s suggestion to explore music at a young age. This early exposure was deeply rooted in the significance of music within Armenian culture, a theme that Kouyoumdjian herself has explored.[3] Kouyoumdjian studied composition at Columbia University, earning her D.M.A. and M.A studying primarily with Zosha Di Castri, Georg Friedrich Haas, Fred Lerdahl, and George Lewis. She also received an M.A. from New York University in Scoring for Film & Multimedia, and a B.A. from the University of California, San Diego in Music Composition where she studied with Chaya Czernowin, Steven Kazuo Takasugi, Anthony Davis, Steven Schick, and Chinary Ung. [1] The beginning of her compositional career began in 2001 and since then, Kouyoumdjian’s creative direction has evolved, transitioning from more traditional concert compositions into more experimental, multi-media documentary works.[2]
Career Overview
[edit]Kouyoumdjian has received commissions for such organizations as the New York Philharmonic, Kronos Quartet, Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Beth Morrison Projects/OPERA America, Alarm Will Sound, Bang on a Can, International Contemporary Ensemble, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, American Composers Forum, Roomful of Teeth, WQXR-FM, REDSHIFT, Experiments in Opera, Helen Simoneau Danse, the Nouveau Classical Project, Music of Remembrance, Friction Quartet, Ensemble Oktoplus, and the Los Angeles New Music Ensemble among others. Her work has been performed internationally at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MASS MoCA, the Barbican Centre, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Millennium Park, Benaroya Hall, Prototype Festival, the New York Philharmonic Biennial, Cabrillo Festival, Big Ears Festival, 21C Music Festival, and Cal Performances. Her residencies include those with EMPAC, Buffalo String Works, Alarm Will Sound/The Mizzou International Composers Festival, Roulette/The Jerome Foundation, Montalvo Arts Center, and Exploring the Metropolis. Her music has been described as “eloquently scripted" and "emotionally wracking” by The New York Times and as "politically fearless" and "the most harrowing moments on stage at any New York performance" by New York Music Daily. In her work as a composer, orchestrator, and music editor for film, she has collaborated on a diverse array of motion pictures including writing the original score for documentary An Act of Worship (Capital K Pictures and PBS’s POV Docs) and orchestrating on the soundtracks to The Place Beyond the Pines (Focus Features) and Demonic (Dimension Films). Dedicated to new music advocacy, Kouyoumdjian is a Co-Founder of the annual new music conference New Music Gathering, served as the founding Executive Director of contemporary music ensemble Hotel Elefant, and served as Co-Artistic Director of Alaska's new music festival Wild Shore New Music. As an avid educator, Kouyoumdjian is on composition faculty at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University and The New School; she has previously been on faculty at Columbia University, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Brooklyn College's Feirstein School of Cinema, Mannes Prep, and the New York Philharmonic's Very Young Composers program. Kouyoumdjian is proud to have her music published by Schott's PSNY and is based in Brooklyn, NY.” [1]
Instrumentation and Themes within Works
[edit]Mary Kouyoumdjian’s compositions incorporate her Armenian heritage as well as her background in composition and film scoring. She often blends heritage instrumentation with modern techniques to create music that is unique and experimental. This fusion of “old and new” is particularly important to her work in music as documentary.[1] Kouyoumdjian asserts that music can serve as an avenue for exploring difficult topics. This is particularly apparent in her works that engage with heavy subjects such as the Armenian Genocide and Lebanese Civil War, both of which had profound influences on her family. Reflecting on her personal experiences, Kouyoumdjian describes never speaking to her parents or grandparents about their experiences during wartime. Instead, she uses music as a way of understanding and connecting to their experiences. This, alongside her background as a documentarian, shapes Kouyoumdjian’s body of work to be intensely historical, political, and empathetic. The goal of her pieces is to connect audiences to the experiences of those very different from them, using music as a powerful tool for connection and for humanization. Kouyoumdjian’s desire to give voice to the voiceless is evident in her use of music as a storytelling method, illustrated well in pieces like Silent Cranes. Although she describes the subject matter of many of her works as dark, she emphasizes that music is a safe and important way in which to engage with dark and difficult subjects.[3]
List of Works
[edit]Mary Kouyoumdjian has composed a total of 57 pieces including solo, small ensemble, and large ensemble works. Her diverse repertoire consists of opera, voice, and chorus pieces, orchestra pieces, theater and dance pieces, as well as mixed-media music documentary pieces. Her works comprise a mixture of commissions and personal compositions. 3 of her 57 pieces are currently in progress.[2]
Musical Documentary
[edit]Odaraganeen Sharagan [Stranger’s Song] (2004) - Soprano, Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Percussion, Audio Playback
2 Suitcases (2017) - Flute, Clarinet, Piano, Vibraphone, Violin, Cello, Audio Playback
Dandelion [For Andie Springer] (2010) - Violin, Audio Playback
This Should Feel Like Home (2013) - Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Percussion, Piano, Electric Guitar, Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Audio Playback, Live Processing
Bombs of Beirut (2014) - Amplified String Quartet, Audio Playback, Live Processing
Silent Cranes (2015) - String Quartet, Audio Playback, Live Processing
Become Who I Am (2015) - Chorus (Soprano/Alto), String Quartet, Audio Playback
Paper Pianos: “You Are Not The Kid” (2016) - Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Bass Trombone, Percussion, Piano, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Electronic Playback
I Can Barely Look (2016) - Chorus (Soprano/Alto), Flute Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Cello, Contrabass
Mustard Sweatshirts Are Forever (2019) - Acapella Voice Octet and Narrator
They Would Only Walk (2020) - String Quintet and String Ensemble, Audio Playback
They Will Take My Island (2020) - String Octet, Audio Playback
Paper Pianos (2022) - Sinfonietta, Audio Playback
New Work for NY Philharmonic (WIP) - Orchestra[4]
Solo
[edit]Project 173 (2005) - Piano, Audio Playback
Aghavni (Doves) (2009) - Piano
Dandelion [For Andie Springer] (2010) - Violin, Audio Playback
Unearthed (2014) - Piano, Audio Playback
The Heaviness of Air (2015) - Cello, Audio Playback
The Revolt of the Stars (2018) - Cello (doubling on voice), Audio Playback
Peony (2019) - Flute, Audio Playback
I Haven’t The Words (2020) - Piano
Water and Dust (2020) - Violin
Hill And Valley (2021) - Viola
And There Was (2021) - Cello (doubling on voice)[5]
Small Ensemble
[edit]Mamababa (2002) - Piano, Contrabass, Drum Kit, Percussion
The Place Between Lightning and Thunder (2003) - Soprano, Alto, 4 Talking Drums, Marimba, Paper, Bodies
Perspectives (2004) - String Trio, Audio Playback
Kaleidoscope (2004) - Piano, Electric Guitar, Contrabass, Drum Kit
Llevara Mi Silencio [Wear My Silence] II (2006) - String Quartet
A Little Elbow Grease (2006) - Alto Saxophone, Piano, Electric Guitar, Contrabass, Drum Kit
Turtle Dove (2006) - Soprano Saxophone, Piano, Vibraphone, Marimba
Ciel Brouille [Cloudy Sky] (2010) - Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Piano, Turntable, Audio Playback
2 Suitcases (2010) - Violin, Cello, Bass Clarinet, Piano, Audio Playback
Moerae [The Fates] (2010) - Violin, Cello, Piano
Dzov Yerku Kooynov [Sea of Two Colors] (2011) - Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano
I Am A Fish [A One-Act Opera] (2012) - Countertenor, Piano, Electric Guitar, Violin, Contrabass, Audio Playback
Children of Conflict: “Samar’s Song” (2013) - Violin, Percussion, Audio Playback
Tagh (Diary) Of An Immigrant (2013) - Two Violins, Viola, Cello, Contrabass
Bombs of Beirut (2014) - Amplified String Quartet, Audio Playback, Live Processing
Groung [Crane] (2014) - String Quartet
Silent Cranes (2015) - String Quartet, Audio Playback, Live Processing
Children of Conflict: “A Boy And A Makeshift Toy” (2015) - Viola, Piano
For Audrey (2015) - Cello, Piano (Film)
“Where Once” From Gorky (2016) - Baritone Voice, Bass Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Electronic Playback
To Open Myself, To Scream (2017) - Clarinet, Trumpet, Violin, Cello, Contrabass, Audio Playback (Film)
2 Suitcases (2017) - Flute, Clarinet, Piano, Vibraphone, Violin, Cello, Audio Playback (revision)
“Pleasures of Plenty” From Words On The Street - Soprano, Piano
They Will Take My Island (2020) - String Octet, Audio Playback (Film)
I Haven’t The Words (2020) - String Quartet (Piano Solo Also Available)[6]
Large Ensemble
[edit]The Hip One (2001) - Mixed Jazz Ensemble
Odaraganeen Sharagan [Stranger’s Song] (2004) - Soprano, Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Percussion, Audio Playback
Le Bord De L’Infini (2006) - Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Percussion
With Heart (2008) - Orchestra
This Should Feel Like Home (2013) - Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Percussion, Piano, Electric Guitar, Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Audio Playback, Live Processing
Become Who I Am (2015) - Chorus (Soprano/Alto), String Orchestra (expansion from String Quartet), Audio Processing
Paper Pianos: “You Are Not The Kid” (2016) - Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Bass Trombone, Percussion, Piano, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Electronic Playback
I Can Barely Look (2016) - Chorus (Soprano/Alto), Flute Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Cello, Contrabass
The Vanishing Dark (2017) - Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Trombone, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Cello, Contrabass, Audio Playback
You Came Into My Dream (2019) - Open Brass Ensemble, Audio Playback
They Would Only Walk (2020) - String Quintet and String Ensemble, Audio Playback
Walking With Ghosts (2022) - Bass Clarinet Concert with Soloist and Orchestra
Adoration (2023) - Opera Cast, String Quartet, Audio Playback
Paper Pianos (2022) - Sinfonietta, Audio Playback
New Work for NY Philharmonic (WIP) - Orchestra[7]
Orchestral
[edit]The Hip One (2001) - Mixed Jazz Ensemble
Odaraganeen Sharagan [Stranger’s Song] (2004) - Soprano, Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Percussion, Audio Playback
Le Bord De L’Infini (2006) - Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Percussion
With Heart (2008) - Orchestra
This Should Feel Like Home (2013) - Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Percussion, Piano, Electric Guitar, Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Audio Playback, Live Processing
Become Who I Am (2015) - Chorus (Soprano/Alto), String Orchestra (expansion from String Quartet), Audio Processing
Paper Pianos: “You Are Not The Kid” (2016) - Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Bass Trombone, Percussion, Piano, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Electronic Playback
I Can Barely Look (2016) - Chorus (Soprano/Alto), Flute Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Cello, Contrabass
The Vanishing Dark (2017) - Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Trombone, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Cello, Contrabass, Audio Playback
You Came Into My Dream (2019) - Open Brass Ensemble, Audio Playback
They Would Only Walk (2020) - String Quintet and String Ensemble, Audio Playback
Walking With Ghosts (2022) - Bass Clarinet Concert with Soloist and Orchestra
Adoration (2023) - Opera Cast, String Quartet, Audio Playback
Paper Pianos (2022) - Sinfonietta, Audio Playback
New Work for NY Philharmonic (WIP) - Orchestra[8]
Vocal Works
[edit]Odaraganeen Sharagan [Stranger’s Song] (2004) - Soprano, Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Percussion, Audio Playback
Ciel Brouille [Cloudy Sky] (2010) - Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Piano, Turntable, Audio Playback
Gantsrevah D’Ghas [It Is Raining My Son] (2010) - Mezzo-Soprano, Violin, Cello, Piano
I Am A Fish [A One-Act Opera] (2012) - Countertenor, Piano, Electric Guitar, Violin, Contrabass, Audio Playback
“Everlastingness” From Gorky (2015) - Baritone Voice, Viola, Piano
Become Who I Am (2015) - Chorus (Soprano/Alto), String Quartet, Audio Playback
“Where Once” From Gorky (2016) - Baritone Voice, Bass Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Electronic Playback
I Can Barely Look (2016) - Chorus (Soprano/Alto), Flute Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Cello, Contrabass
“Pleasures of Plenty” From Words On The Street (2018) - Soprano, Piano
Mustard Sweatshirts Are Forever (2019) - Acapella Voice Octet and Narrator
And There Was (2021) - Cello Doubling on Voice
Adoration (2023) - Opera Cast, String Quartet, Audio Playback[9]
Theater and Dance
[edit]The Heaviness of Air (2015) - Cello, Audio Playback (Dance)
Red on Red (2017) - Fixed Media (Dance)
“Pleasures of Plenty” From Words On The Street (2018) - Soprano, Piano
Darling (2020) - Sampled Voice and Violins, Fixed Media Audio Playback
Water and Dust (2020) - Solo Violin and Dance
Paper Pianos (2022) - Sinfonietta, Audio Playback
Adoration (2023) - Opera Cast, String Quartet[10]
Film and T.V.
[edit]Keith Cafferty: Pharmacist (2006) - Short, directed by Aimee Gilette
Smile (2006) - Composer
My Brother’s Keeper (2007) - Composer
Picture in a Fram (2007) - Composer
Cellfish (2007) - Composer
Empty (2008) - Composer
Trenches (2008) - Composer
Corpse Run (2008) - Music Editor
Small Voices (2008) - Composer
Float (2008) - Music Editor
No One Island (2008) - Music Editor
Bloody Baby Blue (2009) - Composer
Eminent Domain (2009) - Composer
Star Trek, Henglaar, M.D. (2009) - Composer (Unknown Episodes)
The Five Pillars (2009) - Composer
Mother Daughter (2009) - Composer
Never Winter (2010) - Composer (Theme Music)
A Number’s Game (2010) - Music Editor
Dandelion [For Andie Springer] (2010) - Composer
The Big C (2010-2011) - Music Engineer
Alice in Andrew’s Land (2011) - Composer
That Girl, That Time (2011) - Composer
The Place Beyond The Pines (2012) - Music Orchestrator
The Misadventures of the Dunderheads (2012) - Music Editor
Life of a King (2013) - Music Orchestrator
Night Porter (2013) - Composer
Demonic (2015) - Asisstant Music Orchestrator
The Lot (2015) - Composer
Silent Cranes (2015) - Composer
For Audrey (2015) - Composer
They Will Take My Island (2020) - Composer
An Act of Worship (2022) - Composer[11][12]
Discography
[edit]- Dandelion [for Andie Springer], recorded by Andie Tanning
- Byblos, recorded by Duo Noire
- The Revolt of the Stars, recorded by Caitlyn Sullivan
- I Can Barely Look, recorded by Brooklyn Youth Chorus and International Contemporary Ensemble
- Aghavni [Doves], recorded by Lara Downes
- Aghavni [Doves], recorded by Nicholas Phillips[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "KOUYOUMDJIAN about". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ a b c "KOUYOUMDJIAN all projects". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ a b Meet the Composer: Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2024-04-30 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "KOUYOUMDJIAN all projects". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "KOUYOUMDJIAN solo". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "KOUYOUMDJIAN small ensemble". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "KOUYOUMDJIAN large ensemble". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "KOUYOUMDJIAN fixed media". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "KOUYOUMDJIAN voice/chorus". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "KOUYOUMDJIAN fixed media". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "KOUYOUMDJIAN fixed media". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "Mary Kouyoumdjian | Composer, Music Department". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "KOUYOUMDJIAN press". Mary Kouyoumdjian. Retrieved 2024-04-30.