Tayren N. Ben-Abraham

Hello, everyone. I hope this newsletter finds everyone well and in good spirits. I am surviving yet what looks to be another successful semester so far and right now, it is Spring Break.

With Spring on its way, I look forward to the days where I can walk around and hear the music of nature, to gain inspiration and to bask in the sunlight's warmth. As you can tell, winter has been very tough.

On March 1, 2016, David Holzman, the Grammy nominated pianist, performed Le Sonate Claire Op. 14 movement 2. Under his insistence, it has come to be known as "Fantasia on a Dumbek Rhythm" as well. It was a wonderful performance where David truly performed effortlessly. For more information on David Holzman, please check him out at:

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The performance by Mr. Holzman was well-received. Mr. Holzman approached me about doing a piece of mine on a concert shortly before I sent him the music to Le Sonate Claire Op. 14. He instantly found an affinity with the music and dedicated himself to interpreting the music wonderfully. I might add, it was such a wonderful honor to have Mr. Holzman who is one of the leading interpreters of 20th and 21st Century music. Ok, so let's talk about up coming things...well sort of...

I have been advised that the week of the March 14th that one reading of another piece is slated to take place. It is possible that two may be read. So, this is exciting. When this happens, I will give news of this and where you can go to listen. As for the Holzman concert, I am going to have the music I composed isolated and then I will make it available for listening.

At the beginning of Spring break for me, which began on Friday of last week, I began to compose a piece for my composition seminar. It is our final project and again I have secured David Holzman to perform it. It became such a large undertaking that it has become Op. 15. The official title is Paean Op. 15. I have placed a dedication within the score liner notes that at this time will not be revealed until a copy of the score, signed by me, is given to David himself. The performance of this will be for my class and I will be recording the performance. When that comes to be, I shall post it and will give to all of you the link to watch that performance.

I have been on a mission of sorts lately as well. I have been researching female composers and practicing their music, well that which is most accessible to me. I am planning on making recordings of the music and making a dissemination of them in the future. I will also include other lesser known works of known composers that have appealed to me as well. So look for news on this project as well.

As we head into the final weeks of winter and of this semester, I hope spring and summer will be a time we all can enjoy and I hope to set down some works of music for you all, as well as work on pieces that have sat dormant waiting for my full concentration. Well, with that said, have a great one and enjoy! You can reach out to me here, on facebook look up my page by Tayren N. Ben-Abraham, and you can listen to more of my works at:

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Until next time everyone, spread the love, share the music, and live without abandon.

Sincerely yours,

Tayren N. Ben-Abraham

Hello everyone!!!

I last wrote to you in November and it is a long time in coming for this newsletter. I hope you all had good holidays, a great New Year, and in a few days Chinese New Year too.

During the time from November until now, I have taken trips to spend time with family and friends, composing, performed once and preparing for what is to come. And what is to come is right around the corner for me literally. So let me get to the details.

On February 25th, I will be part of a group of composers that will be meeting with the JACK Quartet. I will have a master's class with them as they discuss my work with me and I will be attending the string workshop they are hosting. I have known about this, in part, since November, but I had no details at all. This is the first of many boosts to my composing career, and I thank all of you for being there along the way to support me. If you want more information on this, I shall provide it as I have it. If you do not know the JACK Quartet, I am providing a link:

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I posted two complete movements of a work that is in progress at this time. I am working on the final movement of this new piano piece. Le Sonate Claire is based on a telling of the fondness and interest I developed in someone I met recently. It tells of the connection, the frivolity, the usual emotions that run with the beginning of some great infatuation that could lead to life long adventures. The second movement is written in Byzantine scales, or a better to way to give you an accurate picture is that the music has Arabian sounds. I allowed the music to express an oud like style as well as a doumbek rhythm being played out as well on piano. This describes the main section of the piece. It tells of a tale of heartbreak, confusion, and the future being bright as well. In the sense of making a double entendre, the music provides a sense of adventure. I ventured into three worlds. The first was my own and I found some renewal, some new insights. Second, was the journey into the possibility with this person. And the third was that of someone who has been a long abiding friend that has become closer. So, please have a listen to those two pieces of music and enjoy.

Another opportunity was told to me on Wednesday February 3. My piano teacher told me of a concert that he was performing in and I could see as he mentioned it, there was something more coming after the pause. What he told me astonished me. He wanted to put one of my pieces on his concert that is occurring this weekend, yet he has not practiced in a week and it would be a difficult task to just throw it in there. I am happy at the fact he was willing to be an advocate for me in the music world, this time more publicly.

Also, there is a consideration by the LIU Post Brass Ensemble, with whom I performed last semester upon my entry here, tor read (or perform in private audience with comments and performance suggestions) Canon for Quintet, the brass quartet arrangement. If there will be a performance, I will inform you and give you information on that event.


So, I have a lot to prepare for as well as my classes. I am editing one of my works because of a minor technical issues that needs to be fixed, and I am living and loving the journey. Just a quick shout out to my newsletter subscribers, I thank you for staying out there and supporting my work through listening. As I look across all of my social media sites that promote my music, I never had the expectation that reaching so many people would be possible. Music is fueled mainly by the demand of listeners (the musicians who know good music and that can appreciate its forms, yes that is you!). I want to thank you for being my advocates to the world concerning my music. Well, I shall keep in touch and you can do the same. I love hearing from all of you.

Until next time,

Tayren N. Ben-Abraham

Please check out the following sites for more music:

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Hello listeners! Hello world!

This past week, I decided to set up a meeting to change my Master's degree concentration from Performance to Music Composition/Music Theory. As, the first meeting went down, I was advised to contact the head of the Composition program to find out if we could meet and and discuss the change. I was asked to leave my master composition book for him to peruse and critique. What ended up happening was unexpected. I heard earlier in the day that he made mention that he could not teach me anything and wondered why I wanted to study composition. Although he loved my music. I then met with him that same evening and he asked me questions and told me his observations. And then he made the stark revelation that made me feel a bit numb. He first asked if he could hold on to the master book for a week. He asked if he could talk to and show some professors here my music. I agreed to all of this. And then he told me why. The reason was because he wanted to set the music down for recordings. Now, you may be wondering why this is a big deal, but they would be premier performances either from concerts or in conjunction with concerts. This is all very exciting and takes a lot of work out of my hands and here is why.

The performers who are willing to do these recordings are established in the field of music and thus the distribution to many of the forums I have asked about would not be such an impediment as it is right now. But what I am concerned about more is allowing people to enjoy music and to make my music accessible. So, please stay tuned as I will make future announcements concerning this project. And again, thank you for all of your support and I love hearing from you.

I am in the beginnings of creating the next set of compositions. The first set which you hear music from is from the "North Dakota Collection". I am now composing the "New York Collection". So, stay tuned as to what is going on. I hope that you may be able to in the future hear a piece of my music in concert or a concert of my music. Have a great one!

Sincerely,

Tayren

Hello everyone!

September has been long and tiresome. With the High Holiday's in swing and school taking up time, I have been away from my desk a lot. I have been doing some contemplation about composing and I will be working on some works soon. This is one of the busiest concert seasons yet for me. I am anticipating to be performing on October 13th. In the works is piece for String Orchestra which I will send to the International Music Camp director to find out if she will perform a work is one the agenda, as well as starting to compose a movement for the First Symphony, a work for horn and piano, a work for trumpet and piano. The horn and piano work as well as the trumpet and piano work were commissioned by two members of the ensembles here at LIU and they will be performing them in premiere performances. Also, I am going to write a piece for bassoon and a small ensemble. This is a little undecided as to what type of ensemble.

I am looking for ensembles to record my works and to please share them. I would love to have other recordings circulating! Let me know if you are interested!

Also, I hope to set up a website where I can sell my scores. I am looking at choices of self-publishing options. So, scores will be available for sale soon.

And last, I want to hold a dedication contest. I will write a piece and place you in the dedication that will be circulated with the work when it is sold. To be considered, please write or submit the link to a YouTube Video where you talk about your impressions of a single work that I have written, why you like it the work, and how this theme of the music ties with something, someone, or some place in your life. Also, name a cause that you are passionate about and explain why. Please be sure to enter you name and city by emailing if post a video or with the essay you are writing. The writing at minimum word count must be 300 words and at maximum 1200. The YouTube Video must be one minute and a half but no more than 4 minutes. If you are selected, you will be notified in the following newsletter. Please be sure to email your essay or the link to your video to me through at N1M or Facebook (search Tayren N. Ben-Abraham) and please include email address so that I may contact you about the dedication. When the work is performed, the dedication will be read at the performance and included in the notes of the recording as well. You will receive a copy of the performance in CD form as well as a surprise. So please, if you or someone you know wants to participate in the contest, invite them. There is one entry per person.

I hope to compose more music soon and I look forward to hearing from you always! Have a great one, friends.

Happy listening,


Tayren N. Ben-Abraham

Hello listeners!
This evening I was working on the flute concerto that has been lingering for a few months. I took the time today to finish and edit the first movement which is now complete. I am sketching the second movement as we speak. I have posted it here for you to listen to.

Concerning recordings, I am sending out messages to fellow musicians to collaborate an album to release the music of the Valley City years. So, as this project will take some time, I assure you I am taking all steps necessary to complete this great project. As time goes on I am producing more content which you can listen to on reverbnation at (expired link)

So, in hopes that this newsletter reaches you all well, I hope you take a few minutes to enjoy the first movement of the flute concerto. And I am now in New York and school starts September 8th. So, remember, feel free to contact me with your thoughts and questions. Take care and remember that music is a gift to share, to enjoy, and more.

Hello dear listeners:

As the month of August draws near, I am ready to move to my next home for graduate school. I have been accepted into Long Island University and I am awaiting words of acceptance from Indiana State University. I am working on some composing, but I am also halted from doing a lot because of packing and moving. So, when I know where I am going, I will let you know so we may all celebrate together.

I also wanted to thank all of you for your warm and wonderful support. I am now #40 overall in North Dakota and Sonata for Pianoforte is now at the number 2 spot! I appreciate the email correspondence. It validates the very value of the work I love doing. I am so uplifted to hear from everyone. So, the next newsletter to come out will a video newsletter. Thanks for everything and I look forward to hearing from you.

I want to thank all of you for subscribing. These are some of my works from the Valley City State University years. As I am moving in the next few months, I will be finishing up within a year 2 big works. One is a flute concerto and the other is a choral/orchestral work. Stay tuned, share. Oh, and feel free to contact me.