Jonathan Holland

Americana

ensemble flute, acoustic guitar, drums, voice, 2 violin, viola, cello, doublebass

duration  6 minutes

written 2012

commissioned by Art of Elan

premiered May 8, 2012, San Diego, CA with The Tree Ring

For inquires about this piece, please email jonathanbholland@gmail.com.

Program Notes:

Americana is the result of an unconventional, cross-continental, boundary blurring collaboration. It is written to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Art of Elan concert series, as well as the collaboration with the Tree Ring _ the unique, San Diego based chamber folk ensemble. The work is meant to feature the performers from the Art of Elan series in a somewhat traditional chamber music sense, but also give the members of the Tree Ring room to add their unique sound to the mix, all through my own personal musical lens, which includes influences from contemporary classical music, and various other popular styles of music. While most of the vocal music I have written in the past has begun with the text, in this case, the lyrics came once the music was written. This work features lyrics written by the Tree Ring’s lead signer and songwriter, Joel P. West. I am grateful to the Art of Elan co-directors Demarre, whom I have known for many years, and Kate for the opportunity to be involved in such an exciting collaboration and for the opportunity to write for The Tree Ring.

Art of Elan musicians and The Tree Ring premiere Americana at San Diego Museum of Art on May 8, 2012.