TLRH | Compositional Considerations: Integrating Ethnic Instruments into Western Art Music Ensembles

Monday, 8 February 2021, 10 – 11am A research presentation by Meg Collins Stoop (Department of Music) as part of the School of Creative Arts Research Forum (SCARF) in association with Trinity Long Room Hub. Abstract: As a PhD researcher at Trinity College, I composed eight works which incorporate seven different ethnic instruments into ensembles with western art music instruments. Research, that was both academic and experiential, revealed three things to consider when composing for such ensembles: the different manners of notation and learning music in non-western art music genres, alternate tuning systems, and the original contexts of the instrument. In this presentation, I will perform both representative and original compositions written for the Native American flute and for the xiao, a Chinese bamboo flute. Meg Collins Stoop In November 2020, Meg successfully defended her PhD Dissertation in Music Composition at Trinity College Dublin. Her dissertation is entitled 'Melting the Boundaries: The Integration of Ethnic Instruments into Western Art Music'. A native New Yorker, Meg earned her Master's Degree in Music Composition from Queens College, City University of New York, and a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. She was the Founding Director of the Adesso Choral Society, a select women's chorus which championed works by living composers, and has served as President of Connecticut Composers, Inc. The School of Creative Arts Research Forum meets fortnightly at 10am on Mondays during term and is led by the School's doctoral students. The aim of the Forum is to give a space for School researchers, both staff and postgraduate students, to share their ideas in a supportive environment. It is also an opportunity for the School to hear about the research of colleagues both from within TCD and outside who share our research interests. In line with the research agenda of the School, talks will encompass traditional research and practice-based research and will be followed by Q&A. Learn more at: https://www.tcd.ie/trinitylongroomhub/