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Welcome Mark Vigil online!

Why "Contemporary Classical Composer"?

I like to create heartfelt contemporary classical art music or concert music. The creative diversity and tireless allure for excellence in craftsmanship and/or workmanship has always been of great interest to me. In this genre of contemporary classical art music I can strive to grow and to always learn more about this one universe of creative activity. This close understanding would therefor make my compositions more proficient. My appreciation for contemporary classical art music and my eagerness to always improve my understanding of it is an integral part of my music making process.

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.(both Javanese and Balinese) This "new music" genre was instrumental (pun intended) in shaping my less than traditional aesthetic and served as a corollary to my stylistic approach to composition.

I would never consider my music as being conservative OR representing the "cutting edge" of modern contemporary art music. If anything, the forms of my compositions are simple, the phrases asymmetric and for the most part, the incorporation of dissonance is oftentimes mild. Ideally, my music is intended to please the listener's ear not upset it. I know life to be a wonderful thing 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, tradition and the perseverance of the ideal of good craftsmanship which is ever-present in the history of Western art music. And though I admire the historical perspective and I respect the brilliant advancements made by progressive and innovative thinkers, I must comply first with my own feelings about the creation of new music and the posterity of the "Here and the Now." By this I mean that the present or today is very relevant to me. The present or today is my real home. It is where I actually live my life. So, with regards to music, I cannot let myself be rooted in the past or be driven crazy contemplating about the future. Life, existence my well of inspiration is only a reality for me today.

I would like to add that I strive to make each composition of mine creatively independent. Stylistically I prefer each piece of mine to be unlike any of its predecessors. For example, I have always in earnest admired this creative aspect of the music of the Beatles. I know that if I were to tout a stylistic singularity to the public as well as myself it would make my life as a composer much easier. But, I don't care. I choose to explore the possibilities of music rather than sound.

I feel much more "at ease" when I am writing music per se, as opposed to when I have to create some sort of new sound. I'm not implying that a musical work of art employing its own set of rules cannot come from compositions that incorporate a predominance of extended techniques. Nor am I implying that compositions emphasizing extended techniques are lacking in any special interest. I'm simply stating that personally I feel much more challenged and inspired by the prospects of creating new music 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 advocate or feel attracted to the art music extremist avant grade either.

I am more interested and care more about expressing solely what/Who's in my heart now than expressing what may be in vogue in the future in Western art music. I do not want to be a composer that lives in the past or the future. I prefer to compose my music in and for the present.

And, lets not forget about this ever-present pressure cooker of new music's ambition for innovation. Innovation is a healthy thing, I agree. However extreme innovation in my opinion, can distort a sincere expression or feeling, a beautiful voice and make one forget one's own likes and dislikes. I feel that the composers first duty is to express one's own self one's own likes and dislikes one's own personality first and foremost. New music new art comes from the gifts of the individual living composer.

If someone were to ask me "Why exactly do you write music and what exactly are you trying to accomplish?" My reply would have to be that I write music because I love to, I have to, and the only thing I am trying to accomplish is not to waste or squander this opportunity I have been given to create new contemporary classical art music inspired by my own heart in this place called today.

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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