Chase the Music provided our friend Jack Knight, who has Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy with a piece, “Ataraxia”. Ataraxia means peace and tranquility. Well Jack is not a quiet and calm young man. But, he is at peace with his situation, and looks to inspire others. We hope his song does too.
I first met Destinee at the Colorado Wheelchair Camp. They had called her to the front to receive an award. Destinee was taking longer than most to come forward. Imagine a gym floor full of kids in wheelchairs, all wanting to be close to their friends at the end of their week-long camp. As Destinee came to the front, I noted that not only was she in a chair, but she was using a white cane to navigate. Right away, I knew this young lady needed a song.
The fall 2018 CU School of Dance Pedagogy class collaborated with Chase the Music to bring music and dance to about 15 little ones (ages 4-5), at the Journey School in Boulder, Colorado.
When Fort Collins singer/songwriter Molly Taylor told Jamin that she’d be writing a Chase the Music song for him, he replied – “Don’t write a song for me, write for someone who’s really sick”. Molly took that as inspiration and wrote “Determined” a song not just for Jamin but also from him as a gift to those others…
An original composition by Jack Davis, written for the kids of Colorado Wheelchair Camp 2016. About 100 campers, and another 100 staff, friends and family were in attendance for this world premiere. Jack speaks of being outdoors in the great state of Colorado, and enjoying nature.
Lyrics:
Summertime Shine gots the heat to beat?Somethin to do, some friends to meet.Long days under the shadeIt’s a colorado summerSo lets just feel the sunlightLets just feel the breezeSo do you what you wantIt’s time to rediscover the Colorado ways
Kati, 13, is an amazing little girl who lives with Ataxia Telangiectsia (AT). She has beaten cancer (the AT makes her more vulnerable to cancer). She is a very courageous and strong young lady!
This concert for Kati, was a collaboration between Chase the Music, composer Nick Halsey of Cello Expressions, and the Boulder Cello Project (and friends) with venue and production assistance from eTown.
Click below to hear “Kati’s Run”
From Kati’s Mom:
Kati was diagnosed with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), a rare neurodegenerative disease, when she was only 2 years old. Then, in June of 2012, Kati was diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma. She underwent treatment for 4 months and is now cancer free. She continues to manage her A-T with the help of her friends and family. Kati is now in a wheelchair which helps her conserve energy and gives her independence.
Kati is a fearless but shy 12 year old who enjoys skiing at Winter Park, horseback riding, swimming and adaptive soccer. She came to Chase the Music through the recommendation of a friend, Molly Niven. Molly noticed her cheerful disposition and love of music. The family enjoys the support of their faith, friends and warm community. Kati is a fearless but shy 12 year old who enjoys skiing at Winter Park, horseback riding, swimming and adaptive soccer. The family enjoys the support of their faith, friends and warm community.
Venue
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eTown is a non-profit organization with a mission to educate, entertain and inspire a diverse audience through music and conversation to create a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable world. The organization was founded in 1991. eTown is a place where music brings us all together and we work (and play) together to make things better. eTown Hall is located in downtown Boulder, Colorado.
Rehearsal
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Composer: Nick Halsey
Nick Halsey is a student at the University of Southern California, where he’s studying Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Music Composition. He’s also a WordPress core contributor. In Summer 2014, he was one of WordPress’ Google Summer of Code students. He is an avid cellist, trumpeter and composer/arranger. Nick is the Resident Composer for the Boulder Cello Project, and is always adding to his free cello ensemble sheet music library.
Most of Nick’s projects are on his main website: Cello Expressions.
“Kati’s Run” was motivated by Kati’s love for being out on the slopes skiing in her sit-ski. It expresses the exhilaration of being out on the slopes, interspersing gentle easy turns, with more difficult and exciting pitches.
Nick also composed “Many Trails” for Chase the Music – performed for our friend Chito, during the summer of 2013.
Performance
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The program was a mixture of Kati’s favorite songs – popular music, songs from her favorite musicals and classical music. The event was topped off with the premiere of an original Chase the Music composition – ‘Kati’s Run’ composed by Oregon composer – Nick Halsey.
“Kati’s Run”, is the composers musical vision of a ski-run with Kati. He takes her down open runs with smooth, wide carving turns, then over a rise and into the bumps. Dropping into the trees, the turns are quick and rhythmic with a pressure to make every turn. Easing back onto the slope, tighter turns, then opening up and becoming joyous over another glorious run.
Performers: The Boulder Cello Project, and friends
The Boulder Cello Project is an organization committed to supporting Colorado cellists by providing a non-competitive friendly place to practice, learn and share knowledge of music and the art of cello playing. They also provide workshops taught by expert instructors for all levels and abilities. The project collaborates with local and national composers to create music that is accessible to both beginners and advanced players, and also strives to create pieces to showcase the cello’s versatility by playing music not generally associated with cello to inspire their members and audience.
Click here, for a copy of the program.
See the conductor’s notes, download the score and more – here.
Awe and Joy,
A piece for two special kids – Ayla and Jayden, a brother and sister 8 & 9, who were both born with Spina Bifida. They are the most sweet and caring kids. Ayla is a little quiet, until she gets to know you, and very sweet. Jayden is… all boy. He’s interested in everything and is very outgoing.
Awe and Joy, an original composition by Nick Halsey was performed at the Boulder Public Library – Canyon Theater on August 9th at 3pm. The Boulder Cello Project and friends (from the woodwinds, brass and percussion sections) will be performing Awe and Joy, along with a number of other selections of the childrens musical favorites
Music begins at 1:00.
At the completion of the premiere, Lauren looked up and said, “Clark, I’m never going to stop smiling”.Lauren, of Westminster, Colorado, was diagnosed at the age of 3 with leukemia. Chase the Morning Sun was premiered for her when she was 5, and still undergoing chemotherapy. Lauren was too young to understand and yet too strong to let it get her. She’s bright, sociable, polite and an incredible reader. After the premiere performance, the band, Lauren and family enjoyed pizza together. She made it a point to go to each and every table of performers and thank them. We love you Lauren! You are the inspiration for Chase the Music!
Composer: Clint Needham
The music of Clint Needham has been described as “wildly entertaining” and “stunning… brilliantly orchestrated” by the New York Times, as well as “well-crafted and arresting… riveting” by the Herald Times. Needham recently served as the Music Alive: New Partnerships Composer-in-Residence with the Albany Symphony where his work “Everyday Life” was premiered.
Needham currently serves as Composer-in-Residence/Assistant Professor of Music at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music. He has served as an Associate Instructor at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music as well as Assistant Professor of Music at Ohio Wesleyan University. He holds degrees from Indiana University, where he was a four-year Jacobs School of Music doctoral fellow in composition, and from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music.
Clint Needham is the father of twin sons. His sons were about a year old when we approached him to compose a piece for Lauren. He stated, “I just have to write this piece for her.” As a young father, he couldn’t fathom what she, and her family were going through. Clint is a dynamic young man, with a real passion for people and music.
Performers: Lyons HS Band
The Lyons High School Band, of Lyons, Colorado, under the direction of Dr. Karen Gregg performed the premiere performance of “Chase the Morning Sun”. The band had been selected by blind audition from all of the high school bands in the state of Colorado to perform at the annual convention of the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA). Director Dr. Karen Gregg chose this prestigious event to premiere Chase the Morning Sun for Lauren. The band was composed of 50 musicians who were 14-18 years old. Gregg said the story behind the music provides a powerful lesson for her students. “I want them to understand the whole concept of humanity and empathy and that their actions, no matter how small or big, can impact people”. Sophomore percussionist Chris “Tofu” Rives, 16, said he thinks about the emotional roller coaster Lauren and her parents have been through while playing. “Music is fueled by emotion”, he said, “and this is music at its best.”
Venue: Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, CO
Chase the Morning Sun was performed at the historic Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
No program available.
Press coverage by the Longmont Times.
Contact us for information about the score.
Pictures of the rehearsal and premiere performance.
Most of Nick’s projects are on his main website: Cello Expressions.
“Kati’s Run” was motivated by Kati’s love for being out on the slopes skiing in her sit-ski. It expresses the exhilaration of being out on the slopes, interspersing gentle easy turns, with more difficult and exciting pitches.
Nick also composed “Many Trails” for Chase the Music – performed for our friend Chito, during the summer of 2013.
The music of Clint Needham has been described as “wildly entertaining” and “stunning… brilliantly orchestrated” by the New York Times, as well as “well-crafted and arresting… riveting” by the Herald Times. Needham recently served as the Music Alive: New Partnerships Composer-in-Residence with the Albany Symphony where his work “Everyday Life” was premiered.
Needham currently serves as Composer-in-Residence/Assistant Professor of Music at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music. He has served as an Associate Instructor at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music as well as Assistant Professor of Music at Ohio Wesleyan University. He holds degrees from Indiana University, where he was a four-year Jacobs School of Music doctoral fellow in composition, and from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music.
Clint Needham is the father of twin sons. His sons were about a year old when we approached him to compose a piece for Lauren. He stated, “I just have to write this piece for her.” As a young father, he couldn’t fathom what she, and her family were going through. Clint is a dynamic young man, with a real passion for people and music.
The Lyons High School Band, of Lyons, Colorado, under the direction of Dr. Karen Gregg performed the premiere performance of “Chase the Morning Sun”. The band had been selected by blind audition from all of the high school bands in the state of Colorado to perform at the annual convention of the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA). Director Dr. Karen Gregg chose this prestigious event to premiere Chase the Morning Sun for Lauren. The band was composed of 50 musicians who were 14-18 years old. Gregg said the story behind the music provides a powerful lesson for her students. “I want them to understand the whole concept of humanity and empathy and that their actions, no matter how small or big, can impact people”. Sophomore percussionist Chris “Tofu” Rives, 16, said he thinks about the emotional roller coaster Lauren and her parents have been through while playing. “Music is fueled by emotion”, he said, “and this is music at its best.”
Chase the Morning Sun was performed at the historic Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The Lyons High School Band, of Lyons, Colorado, under the direction of Dr. Karen Gregg performed the premiere performance of “Chase the Morning Sun”. The band had been selected by blind audition from all of the high school bands in the state of Colorado to perform at the annual convention of the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA). Director Dr. Karen Gregg chose this prestigious event to premiere Chase the Morning Sun for Lauren. The band was composed of 50 musicians who were 14-18 years old. Gregg said the story behind the music provides a powerful lesson for her students. “I want them to understand the whole concept of humanity and empathy and that their actions, no matter how small or big, can impact people”. Sophomore percussionist Chris “Tofu” Rives, 16, said he thinks about the emotional roller coaster Lauren and her parents have been through while playing. “Music is fueled by emotion”, he said, “and this is music at its best.”