Find The Light Within (art installation project under construction)

When I began to write “classical” music, back in 2012, I thought the exploration of something new was exciting! I did not know much about what I was doing, but I knew I wanted to do more and learn more about it. Today, that Kyrie is one of my published pieces and has gotten international performances!

Years later, I am having that same feeling as I begin to explore unknown territory once more. It is exciting and terrifying (but mostly exciting).

What is The Light Within and why am I doing it?

The Light Within—or TLW as I love to do with all my titles—is a piece for choir and audience.

No, wait. TLW is an experience. That sounds more accurate!

I feel it is closely related to art installations or sound installations. In it, people come to a design on the floor that contains basic guidelines and they perform together. They use their voice to freely sing the vowels or consonants indicated on the floor.

To be honest, TLW feels like a project out of my league.

However, that will not stop me. I thought it would be amusing to share with you the process as this project evolves and finds new ground. I know for sure it is scary to share something so raw, but I also know that I could use some help if anyone out there has some thoughts to offer!

You might already know how much I enjoy collaboration!

Where am I at the moment?

Nothing is ever written in stone except for what it is written in stone, I guess. If I change something in the project, it’s ok. I can do that because I am exploring! That’s what it is interesting about opening the door of my studio to you. You get to see how an idea evolves or develops.

The video below is a short experiment I did with the incredible people of Chorus Austin as part of my Residency with them. They were so awesome to play with me and follow weird improvisational instructions! In this exercise, they first had to sing unison, but then we moved into a freer experiment, which we all agreed was a whole different experience.

At this point, we did not have a design on the floor, but just pieces of paper I drop on the floor. I had to get creative since I have not yet figure out that design part of this project!

Thanks to Chorus Austin, and Redeemer Lutheran Church, for allowing me to explore this project. I hope I get to experience it with more choirs around the world!

I hope you enjoyed the post, the video, and the little peek in my studio! I will be updating more about this project soon but if you have any thoughts or questions, please send them all to composercordero@gmail.com.

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