Do you have a favorite emoji? If you could design your own, what would it look like and represent?
We ask composer and oboist Alexander Miller this and more ahead of “Double Trouble” on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1.
Q: The idea of writing a piece inspired by emoji . . . we have to know: How did that come about? Do you use lots of emoji in your texts, social media?
Alexander Miller: Yes, I use emojis, mostly in texts to my wife. I have always been a stickler for proper grammar and punctuation, so it’s kind of funny that I have spent a good chunk of time studying how to “emoji” one’s way through a conversation. The way emojis have exploded in popularity made me think they are worthy of scrutiny as a cultural phenomenon. I mean, just what are these things? Suddenly everyone is using them but I don’t hear many questioning what it means for the way we organize our thoughts.
Q: Do you have a favorite emoji? How come?
Alexander Miller: A red heart, which I text to my wife once a day. I know that’s not very original, but I always mean it. We also just adopted a poodle puppy — an adorable little guy we named JoJo — and I was thrilled when the new iPhone emojis included a poodle. So now I end text messages to my wife with a poodle emoji followed by a heart emoji.
Q: If you could design a brand new emoji, what would it look like and what would it mean?
Alexander Miller: I’m thinking it would be a big poodle face with hearts for eyes. That would be awesome.
Q: How do you compose? At the piano, with the help of your oboe, pen/pencil, computer?
Alexander Miller: Composing is something I do purely in my head at first. Once I have a decently formulated musical concept, I sit down at the computer, open the program “Sibelius” and quickly enter a rough outline. I have to be fast so I don’t lose the connection between my imagination and the reality of punching in keyboard shortcuts. Creativity often feels like Alice chasing the rabbit.
Q: How do you know when your piece is completed? Talk a bit about your editing process.
Alexander Miller: Editing is about 70% of my composing time. The science of orchestration and balancing different acoustic elements is more science than art. So, I respect the science and make sure I’m not writing something that only works in theory. I spend a lot of time tinkering with the voicings of the instruments; it has to resonate naturally before I’ll let it into the world.
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ROCO presents “Double Trouble” on Friday, March 31, at 7:30 pm at The Woodlands United Methodist Church. A repeat season finale performance will be held on Saturday, April 1, at 5 pm at The Church of Saint John the Divine. Purchase tickets here.
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