Josh Oxford wrote the Luminous Mysteries Rosary Sonata in 2022 on commission from the violinist Esther Witherell. The piece continues in the Rosary Sonata tradition begun by Heinrich Biber while also incorporating contemporary composition styles and violin techniques, most notably the use of dynamic scordatura. The formidable challenges involved in realizing the written score make the provision of a performance guide with a semi-tablature notation of the violin part all but essential. This document serves as a guide to future performers of the Luminous Mysteries Rosary Sonata. The paper provides the historical background for its composition, supplies information from the composer regarding Biblical allusions in the piece, and suggests solutions to common technical difficulties. The appendix consists of the semi-tablature violin part with at-pitch notation from the composer and as-fingered notation from the author.

While much has been written on the history of Education Concerts in the United States, there is a void in research focused on actual content, structure, and purposes of these concerts. This document seeks to fill this void through a detailed examination of salient aspects of Education Concerts, including programming, structure, rehearsal, and performance considerations. In conjunction with my research, I will draw on my first-hand experience as Associate Conductor of the Seattle Symphony, providing a glimpse into the creative challenges and solutions that confront a contemporary orchestra. Additionally, my research endeavors to discover ways of transforming the historically rigid model of orchestral operations into a structure that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion, encourages connections, and sparks curiosity. The goal of this research, therefore, is to provide tangible references and practical guidance to the conductor or administrator who is venturing into the richness of Education Concert programming and performance in today’s everchanging orchestral landscape.

Frank Zappa considered “The Adventures of Greggery Peccary” hismasterpiece. It contains every aspect of his melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic language. These techniques include: folk-influenced songs, quartal melodies, asymmetric meters, speech-influenced rhythms, octave-displaced chromaticism, “conceptual continuity,” and creative studio techniques. He considers these aspects and weighs them against each other to maintain a sense of balance on both a micro- and macroscopic scale. The first chapter of this dissertation explores the events that led up to the creation of the composition. A chronology of historical events precedes a synopsis of the piece’s narrative. The second chapter examines a rehearsal tape from March of 1972, which was released posthumously, that contains the song that will eventually become the fourth movement of the piece: “The New Brown Clouds.” That song, as well as others on the recording, contains several examples of Zappa’s musical vocabulary. These excerpts are also included in the two albums that were released and are also heard in Zappa’s magnum opus. The third and fourth chapters examine the first version of “The Adventures of Greggery Peccary.” The third chapter focuses on musical analysis and identifying key components of Zappa’s compositional style. The fourth chapter talks about he Grand Wazoo’s tour, the Petit Wazoo tour a month later, and the subsequent tour in 1973. Zappa wrote new music for these tours, and those pieces became part of the large revision that is discussed in chapter 5. The sixth chapter examines the recording process, locations, and the innovative techniques Zappa uses in the studio. Every time he released a recording of the composition, there was always a notable revision— including shortly before his death in 1993. Finally, the Ensemble Modern’s posthumous recording of “The Adventures of Greggery Peccary” is also scrutinized.

This research paper investigates the relationship between orchestration and harmony in Prokofiev’s orchestral works through selected case studies drawn from his symphonies and several of his symphonic suites. The research focuses on moments where the combination of orchestration and harmony stand out from the orchestral texture. Prokofiev uses these two elements of music to create both a large range of orchestral colors as well as to highlight structurally important moments in thematic development. Through the selected music examples, I highlight how the two elements are mutually dependent, even synergistic. I also argue that Prokofiev uses the two elements in a highly inventive manner to create unique timbral/harmonic effects. Drawing on recent theories related to timbre and perception, the chosen segments of music are analyzed in detail within the context of the works’ form and narrative. The study of these combinations suggests further research and interpretative possibilities for composers, music theorists, and performers.

The aim of this paper is to empower musicians with the knowledge and tools to address the challenges of music performance anxiety (MPA) with confidence and efficacy. Three evidence-based concepts will be examined, beginning with neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s capacity to change both structurally and functionally. It is thus in a constant state of evolution. On the functional side, evidence demonstrates that it is possible for individuals to change the way they think in order to provide more positive outcomes in music performance. Secondly, existing literature on the cognitive side of learning and optimal performance will be examined; particularly, flow theory of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (1975) and Carol Dweck’s mindset theory (2006). Finally, a review of sports psychology research on mental imagery will be provided. For each area of research, I will suggest strategies with which musicians may incorporate these theories in their own practice and performance in order to develop a growth mindset, alter their negative thought patterns, and overcome MPA, achieving their optimal performance level.

A manuscript of a symphony kept on the bookshelves of a library is like a great painting hidden away in a museum where no one can see it. Music needs to be performed to be appreciated and embedded into a culture. The work of a composer must be made accurately easily accessible to musicians and the public for the work to be widely disseminated. This critical edition marks an effort in this direction to shed light on a major work of Mexican composer José Francisco Vásquez Cano (1896-1961).José F. Vásquez was one of the most prolific Mexican composers and accomplished conductors in the first half of the 20th century, yet there is little widespread knowledge about his life and works. This critical edition of the first movement of Symphony No. 2 (1929) will create a path to further performances and recordings, so that future generations in Mexico and abroad can acquire a wider appreciation of this composer’s role in the wider Mexican cultural heritage. This edition aims to show with transparency every critical decision made based on the score’s manuscript and presently available set of instrumental parts. Due to the continued efforts of José J. Vásquez (the composer’s son) to promote the recovery and performance of his father’s music, I have had access to a black and white scan of the full score’s manuscript, and high-definition color scans of 29 parts for each instrument, allowing me to accurately pinpoint possible errata in the manuscript. The critical commentary along with the digitized score aim to offer future conductors and performers access and insight into this important work by an invaluable composer.