Creating Contemporary Percussion Music Videos with a Multi-Platform Approach: Production of Recorded Works by Seare Farhat, Thomas Kotcheff, and Keiko Abe

My approach to performing contemporary music, like many others, is centeredaround storytelling that merges the intention of the composer with my own interpretation. The balance between the two is unique for every work, as well as the sources of inspiration that shape each interpretation. In some cases, it works well to rely heavily on the historical context of the piece and the specific inspiration and process of the composer. In other cases, the composer desires more freedom and flexibility in the performance of their work, and the story of the piece is woven from the threads of personal stories, emotions, and imagery of the performer. For this project, I made audio recordings of three pieces including Seare Farhat’s Three Children’s Songs for Singing Percussionist, Keiko Abe’s Marimba d’Amore, and Thomas Kotcheffs Obbligato Snare Drum Music No. 1: The Power of Love. I then used these recordings to make music videos that blend elements of pop music videos and classical performance videos, using performance footage as well as narrative and abstract visuals to experiment with video making as a creative outlet while building a performance portfolio that represents me as an artist. In addition to a reflection of my process, this document is also designed as a resource for performers who are interested in learning how to make their own audio and video recordings, covering topics including project planning and preparation, working with collaborators, selecting gear, practicing for studio recordings, and designing and producing videos.