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Welcome Mark Vigil online!

Why "Contemporary Classical Composer"?

In short, I like to create heartfelt contemporary classical music. The artistic diversity and craftsmanship that exists in this genre has always been of great interest to me. Here, I have to work in order to make my understanding of this craftsmanship facile. My appreciation for this discipline is an integral part of my music making process.

I am not entirely adverse to writing adventurous music even avant garde music 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 "new music" genre was instrumental (pun intended) in shaping my less than traditional aesthetic and stylistic approach to composition. A true dichotomy.

I would never consider my music as being conservative or representing the "cutting edge" of modern contemporary western 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. 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 my respect for life itself, for nature and to some extent, tradition and the 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." By this I mean that the present is very relevant to me.

I strive to make each composition creatively independent. Stylistically I prefer each piece of mine to be unlike any of its predecessors. I have always admired this creative aspect of the music of the Beatles.

I feel much more "at ease" when I am making music as opposed to making 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.

I hope that I am not giving a distinct impression that I advocate any kind of conservatism whatsoever, I respectively do not advocate conservative music. On the other hand, I do not feel attracted to the apposite end of the art music spectrum either

Honestly, I am more interested and care more about expressing whats in my heart than whats in the pressure cooker of the classical music world's ambition for innovation. Innovation is a healthy thing. However extreme innovation, in my opinion, can distort growth and/or progressive evolution and make one forget one's own likes and dislikes concerning creativity.

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 not to waste or squander this opportunity to create new contemporary classical art 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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