Saturday, January 5, 2008
Musical Collaboration with my father Dennis Bell
During the holidays I began production of the music for the new work I will create for Ballet Austin. My father, award winning composer Dennis Bell, is in the process of creating a work that incorporates two female vocalists, jazz and electronica. Over the next two weeks, prior to my visit to Austin, we will work collaboratively towards the final version of the music. I am very excited about this partnership. My first self-produced concerts in New York City were live jazz and dance concerts that my father musically directed. Over the past several months my father has composed several dance scores for my work that have been performed at LaGuardia ARTS in NYC, Perry Mansfield School for Performing Arts in Colorado and Canadian Children's Dance Theater in Toronto.
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13 comments:
Good luck Sidra. Keep on doing your thing! Much success to you and your dad. Your dad was my music teacher in high school. So it gives me such joy to share in your successes as a family. I have not had the pleasure to meet you but I look forward to seeing your work and hearing your dad's music.
All the best in 2008 and beyond.
Stephanie Mckay
Congratulations Sidra on all of your success, both past and soon to come. After seeing what you did at LaGuardia ARTS in NYC, also over your father’s music, I can’t wait to see (and hear) the culmination of the upcoming Ballet Austin piece.
All the best Sidra, I just hope Austin is ready.
Josh Solomon
Hey Sidra,
You have a true gift and a phenomenal talent. Congratulations on this wonderful opportunity - we wish you much success and we're sure that this is going to be an incredibly exciting collaboration.
With all best wishes and much love,
Laura Kaye, Mark Wood, and Elijah Wood
YOU GO GIRL! Do your thing Represent! Im really happy for you may you have much success with your project & projects to soon to follow. Working with your father both as a student and Remixer I know first hand that your project will be the off the chain, BANANNAS!!!!
Peace - Love - Respect - Always
Dj Victor Sanchez
Many kudos to you Sidra! I've seen you grow up from a young and innovative dancer and choreographer to a mature and accomplished artist. I can't think of a better score to accompany your choreography than that of your dad Denis Bell. You two present great talents that compliment each other. I'm eager to see more of your work as you continue your creative journey.
Be true to your heart and follow your dreams.
I'm so proud of you Sidra. You are a gift to the world of dance and a glowing light in our family.
Love,
Michele
Sidra, it is such a blessing to see how you have grown up, for we go way back! I am so proud of you and know that you will be successful. May your talents be recognized, appreciated and embraced at the Ballet Austin! We know that there is no love like a father's love, so your collaboritive effort is sure to be explosive! I look forward to celebrating with you!
Best of luck Sidra. I am a former piano student of your dad's.
After seeing you perform at the Joseph Kennedy center, I realized your talents would take you far.
Best of luck w/Ballet Austin. I know it wil be as phenomenal and unique as you and your dad are!!
Having seen the results of your exceptional talent and dedication to your craft, we're so very excited for you. Could it be any better than to share this experience with your Dad?
How proud your parents and we all here at Pondside are of what you have accomplished and no doubt will accomplish in Austin and beyond.
Neide & Steve
Sidra, I wish you all the best with this project. Being one of the singers for this piece has been a true honor. Working with your dad, who happens to be my former music theory teacher, has been such a joy for me. Reuniting with him and Sarah (the beautiful soprano singing with me) was very special. Thank you so much for the opportunity. This project is filled with creativity, friendship, and art.....I know it will be a success. My best to you. Suzanne
Saturday 1.27.08 was a fun day...Sarah and Suzanne rehearsed while I was at a conference at Apple in California. They had previously come up to the studio to learn the Latin Vocal Lyrics to the score for Sidra's piece "Substrata". Saturday they returned to put down the final recording.
Each section consisted of 5 to 8 takes. After each group we sat together analyzing the performances, expression, pitch and tone quality etc. My college intern Josh Solomon is the production assistant for the project and also gave his input.
It was the first time I had worked with Sarah and Suzy since I was their teacher at the LaGuardia HS of Music & Art and the Performing Arts in NYC back in the mid 90's. It was a great reunion. I had always remembered them as talented, dedicated and highly motivated young students and i respected them both. Now they return as still "young" but accomplished women and musicians who had continued their musical studies through college. They are now out in the music world ready to make their mark.
After consolidating the vocal takes I did a rough mix of the piece yesterday, Sunday, and sent it on to Sidra by internet file transfer. She will now have the chance to analyze and comment on any aspects of the mix she feels should be brought out, de-emphasized etc. I will have time Wednesday and Thursday to complete a semi-final mix and send it on to Austin.
Working with my daughter on music for her beautiful dance creations is a joy for me and though I can't see the performances in person, Sid's mother, my wife Claudette will be trying to get to Austin to share the experience with her. I am looking forward to seeing the video of the dance. I usually write music for her choreography as she sets the piece (we send files back and forth). This is the first time the music has preceded the movement.
In writing the piece I decided to use vocalists for the first time in her extended choreographic work. We had experimented with shorter pieces back a bit.
My concept was to create a series of soundscapes or musical movements that would articulate and be cohesive. The use of differing styles of music from Electronica, R&B and Jazz to traditional Classical Orchestration is held together by the Lyrical content. I decided to use Latin so a perceived story wouldn't take precedence over the movement. I felt the operatic vocal style with Latin phrases, juxtaposed on the eclectic nature of the instrumental music, was interesting for me.
The creative process is a wonder and we are blessed to have so much of it in our family.
Dennis Bell (Sidra's Dad)
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