David Harper, Composer of the Stars


New eyes, new horizon.

Link to Notte Splendida Notte: https://www.astronomy2009.org/resources/multimedia/audio/detail/notte_splendida/index.html Link to My Band, The Fish Lanterns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr3dxbdQsSM

David's compositions are mostly inspired by nature. During his master's study under Dr. Steffa, he developed an approach to composing, exploiting the Braille language. The exploit allowed him to interpret the stars as if the dots in the sky were Braille. The effects were astonishing; musical notes are found in the sky, and the stars moved after a song created. The song housed on the International Year of Astronomy website credits also features Anne Fuchs as the vocalist! David has also worked with several other artist in the field of music including Angela Mosely Alton, Alonzo Pennington, Andrew Uher, and The Harper Bros. Band.

David Harper graduated from the University of Kentucky, Magna cum Laude, where he began a career performing worldwide. In 2005, the Singapore National Newspaper recognized him for a "hauntingly beautiful" performance under the direction of Ito Yasuhide and Felix Hauswirth with the International Youth Wind Orchestra, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, including the Dallas Brass. While, in Italy, he received the award for the festival, internazionale del sassofono scholarship. In 2008, he received the Downbeat Student Award for classical saxophonist; straddling the classical divide, the converging of two styles, under the direction of Miles Osland. Composition mentors include Dr. Steffa, Dr. Haakenson, Dr. DiAmbrosio, Dr. Bitenski, James Mathew Harper, and Dr. Domek, Prior to attending the University of Kentucky, David performed in Carnegie Hall in 2003 as principal saxophonist in accord to National Youth Wind Ensemble. For more info, visit http://www.HarperTranscriptions.org

Compositions

Notte Splendida Notte
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Desire for Yesterday
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"Desire for Yesterday" required at least 5 years to make. The song utilized elements from the Homeric tradition in poetry, communication; the lyrics and song are specific to the time it was composed. The composition began in 2014, had I approached the sound engineer at anyother time the song would be completely different. The goals for Desire were to include contemporary techniques. Paul's Sound stretch was somewhat new at the time. Engineering the song, the newest techniques in sound design were used as well as contemporary techniques for the tenor saxophone. Sounds to listen out for are: slap tongue, altissimo, false fingerings.
Fugue for Mimi
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I wrote this song for my grandmother. She could play the piano, especially "In the Mood." From her direction I strive to share my grandmother through music. Performing this fugue is Angela Alton, a pianist I had the opportunity to collaborate. We had a lot of fun sharing our experience through the Braille language of all, what began as an experiment with candle wax to legos, we found music in the language. "Fugue for Mimi" composition began with improvising out the notes. The episodes tell the story between the subjects. What builds in the first episode pronounces octaves in the next episode, thought to be children singing. The final episode describes a minor passing of ocean waves before the augmentation of the final episode. The fugues dedicated to Margaret D'Mellow Harper. What a gal.
Ocean Shell
Coming Soon, my Symphony..