Senior music composition major Miles Johnstone presented his senior recital in the Alumni Recital Hall in collaboration with several of his peers in the Keene State music department. Each piece performed was composed by Johnstone during his time as a music student at KSC.
Johnstone mentioned the fifth piece in his recital, saying, “I’m most excited to see my two-movement Irish piece, ‘Before Dawn Breaks.’”
Senior flutist Elizabeth Guelpa, Johnstone’s close friend and peer, said she learned the Irish flute for this composition.
“It was definitely a challenge,” Guelpa said. “It [Irish flute] is very different from a traditional flute. Miles and I went down to Brattleboro to meet up with an Irish flautist who performs often.”
Guelpa talked about her experience learning the Irish flute.
“I got a lesson on the Irish flute, and we worked on different techniques. It was a good opportunity since you don’t get a lot of Irish flutes,” said Guelpa.
Another piece Guelpa performed in was “Vermin,” a set of four miniatures written for flute trio. “When we were working on ‘Vermin,’ it was nice because I know those rats, and you can hear the personality in it,” Guelpa said.
Johnstone wrote the piece for close friends Guelpa and first-year Nathan Herbert, according to the program notes.
“I am proud of my flute trio; it is my longest piece to date, with many different styles packed in one,” said Johnstone.
Each flute represented one of Johnstone’s three pet rats. “I wrote this work as a love letter to my three pet rats. White is a waltz written for my rat Shea. Grey is a bossa nova written for my rat, Nico, and Spotted is a bebop tune for my newest rat, Lestat. Three Brothers is a fugue that brings it all together,” Johnstone stated in his program notes.
Sophomore music major Rachel Enelow said she tries to see all the senior recitals if she can.
“I know a lot of people and friends who are going to sing and play instruments,” Enelow said. “It’s gonna be fun. I’m excited to hear the student composer.”
The pieces performed ranged from Irish folk to jazz, starting with a choral piece titled “Though I’m Halfway Across The World,” featuring four student vocalists and staff pianist Margaret Buhl.
Following the choral piece was “Take It With a Smile,” a “sultry jazz piece for solo clarinet and piano,” according to the program.
“Dependency” was a solo vibraphone piece performed by senior Tori Young. It included theatrical elements with acting directions written in the score. Once the piece was finished, Young threw the mallets on the ground in frustration.
“This piece is meant to encapsulate the feeling of breakdown into anger over a toxic relationship,” Johnstone stated.
The two pieces following were “Vermin” and “Before Dawn Breaks.”
Johnstone is currently studying under Coordinator of Composition Dr. Heather Gilligan for his last semester.
“I liked his work with the Irish Flute. We call it our composerly imagination when it is in a computer program, and you are imagining instruments you do not know as well. It’s harder to imagine what they will sound like,” Gilligan said.
The final three works were different jazz combos titled, “Gotta Have Soul” with six brass instruments, “Fallin’ Fast” featuring senior vocalist Liz Borelli, and ending with “Attitude Problems,” a jazz combo chart.
Senior Alex Royce, who played the keyboard in “Attitude Problems,” talked about his experience working with the student composer.
“It’s a lot of fun working with your peers because it’s beautiful to hear what they’ve written and work on it,” said Royce. “I love to get any chance to touch the keys, the solos were a lot of fun, and the synergy on stage.”
Gilligan reflected on her time with Johnstone in composition classes and lessons.
“He had really definite ideas of what direction he wanted to go musically,” Gilligan said. “He really got to understand and write in those styles and genres, but really within his own compositional voice as well.”
Johnstone said he plans to pursue animal care and veterinary once he graduates.
“I’m excited to branch out my life in that area and hopefully work at an animal shelter or veterinary office,” said Johnstone.
Johnstone said he considers himself more of a jazz composer but said he also likes Irish traditional music. He also talked about his favorite aspects of composing.
“I like the artistic freedom, being able to express any way I want, using any instrument medium I want,” Johnstone said.
As this is his final recital at Keene State, Johnstone said he is going to miss collaborating with student musicians.
“I’m going to miss being able to work directly with musicians and have full access to people who have the time and can play my pieces,” said Johnstone.
Madelyn Marabella can be contacted at
mmarabella@kscequinox.com
