The Forest is Full of Color
The Forest is Full of Color
Honors Senior Capstone Project
The focus of my project is to capture and appreciate the natural environment of Massachusetts and New England as a whole while showcasing the many different identities that make up the region. I want to emphasize that nature is a space in which all people are welcome and a place that can enrich everyone. I’ll be doing this with two major works: a String Quartet and a Song Cycle. The String Quartet will contain styles, melodies, and themes inspired by the different identities that make up the region while the Song Cycle will be musical settings of primarily Queer and POC poets located in Massachusetts. The work will be performed at my senior recital and additionally in a short concert series in late Spring of 2023 featuring venues such as the Worcester Art Museum and the West Brookfield Congregational Church.
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If you would like to hear an example of Robbie's song cycle please click here or see my vocal works page. Or if you would like to donate to my project you can go to my GoFundMe.
What is the Project?
But what is the Theme of the Project?
Nature and the outdoors has always been very important to me, especially everything we have right here in Massachusetts. Some of my fondest memories are time spent in the woods whether it's at a local pond or my grandparent's farm. Unfortunately, I feel that many people don't feel that nature is a space for them. Massachusetts is made up of people of so many different identities and the goal of the project is to not only emphasize those identities and the pastoral nature of Massachusetts but show the link between the two.
But what is a Song Cycle?
A Song Cycle is a group or album of art songs that are usually poems or written word that composers set to music and are written for solo voice and piano. There are many famous Song Cycles and composers known for their art songs such as Franz Schubert. Much of the inspiration for the music of my art songs came from composers such as Aaron Copland, whose setting of "Shall We Gather at the River", was a turning point in finding my inspiration for the project.
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If you would like to listen to music in the style of Robbie's composition listen to their setting of an Emily Dickinson poem..
But What is a String Quartet
A String Quartet is a small ensemble of string instruments, usually two violins, a viola, and a cello. While there are many works for String Quartet that a single movement the typical String Quartet contains four movements following the classical style. There is usually a fast opening movement, a slow second movement, a dance movement, and the final forth movement is usually another fast movement although it often draws back to reference ideas from the previous three.
Partners of the Project
The project is made possible by so many people and organizations. The venues, such as Clark's own Razzo Hall in addition to the West Brookfield Congregational Church and the Worcester Art Museum are amazing supporters of the project. In addition, the Worcester County Poetry Association and its members such as Susan Roney-O'Brien, who has several published books out, and Lex Thomas an outstanding writer and poet.
How to get involved
The project is actively looking for poets and artists to contribute to the project! I am specifically looking for local poets and artists from Massachusetts and although the theme of my project revolves around the connection between nature and identity your poetry or written word doesn't necessarily have to fit that exactly. I am looking for poems that express any range of feelings or emotions through the lens of queer or POC identities. I believe it is hugely important to prioritize positive representation in art instead of solely pushing themes of oppression into the public sphere.
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You can submit your work go to the submission page or click here!
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You can also get involved by donating to my project! I'm attempting to raise money to pay the musicians, venues, insurance, and for recordings and streaming. I have a GoFundMe set up here. Any donation is greatly appreciated and will receive special thanks in our program.
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