News

Back to, and from, Montalvo!

November 7, 2013

In September Seth Friedman (librettist) and I had a terrific and productive time working on Fallings during my next installment of my Fellowship/residency at the Montalvo Arts Center. Thank you Kelly Sicat and whole gang for making our stay productive and fun. BTW: This was my studio. Watch this space for future updates on Fallings!

We have arrived: back on the East Coast, but this time it’s D.C.

December 2, 2013June 16, 2013

Late last night (June 15th) we landed at Dulles: 2 adults, 1 teen, 1 small dog, and 2 unhappy parrots. It was a l-o-n-g process of purging, packing, and preparing culminating in a l-o-n-g day. But, we are here setting up shop in Washington D.C. It’s great being back in a city, the Northwest part … Read More

The Lede: Klein Competition announces its 2013 Winners; composer very happy.

April 18, 2014June 16, 2013

This year’s Klein Competition is now over. It was a fabulous weekend with eight terrific semi-finalists playing Bach, Tchaikovsky, Berg, Bartok, Sibelius, Poulenc, and Friedman (among others). Three finalists were chosen. I had the pleasure of hearing multiple interpretations of my new pieces Uncle Hokum’s Fiddle (violin), When The World Disintegrates Before Your Eyes (viola), … Read More

Almost there: the 2013 Klein International String Competition

June 16, 2013May 22, 2013

We’re almost there: 3 weeks until the Klein Competition! The participants have my three new commissioned solo string pieces. Three very different, but technically comparable works: Uncle Hokum’s Fiddle (violin), When The World Disintegrates Before Your Eyes (viola), and Triptych: Dark Waters, Parting, and Arriving Home (cello). Each contestant is required to perform the pieces … Read More

The ripple effect in action, or what teachers seldom hear but love to know

February 19, 2013

When I taught at Seton Hall University I had a really interesting student named Timothy Hester. When Tim graduated I do remember him saying how he enjoyed my courses. Little did I know that years later our paths would cross once more. Recently Tim contacted me to let me know about a posting on his blog … Read More

Heading Back East!

November 9, 2013January 31, 2013

I’m very excited to announce that my family is moving back to the East coast, Washington D.C. to be specific. My wife, Jenny Bilfield, is the new President and CEO of the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS). Jenny will start April 1st and Hallie and I will join later. Meanwhile, I have a number of projects in the pipeline and will look forward to reconnecting friends and colleagues on the East coast network. Washington Post article

Commission for the 2013 Klein International String Competition

May 22, 2013December 18, 2012

Joel has been commissioned to write a series of solo string pieces for the 2013 Irving M. Klein International String Competition. Founded in 1985, the Klein Competition is a premier competition for emerging string players. Past winners have included violinists Jennifer Frautschi and Jennifer Koh, and cellist Joshua Roman. Semi-finalists will present Friedman’s commissioned work June 8, 2013.

The Klein commission

The Anatomy Of the Musical

January 7, 2013December 13, 2012

Joel offers a unique “insider’s perspective” on the art, craft, and history of the musical. Works include classics such as Show Boat, Oklahoma!, West Side Story, Company, and A Chorus Line, with recent musicals like Rent, and Hedwig and The Angry Inch. The various constituent parts – book, score, lyrics, choreography, and direction – are dissected illustrating how they are employed to tell the story, propel the plot, and develop character. If you’ve ever wondered how a musical actually works then this is the course for you.

Revolution: The Music of The Beatles

January 24, 2015December 12, 2012

Joel offers a clear-eyed assessment of The Beatles’ work and career as they developed from a local cover band to arguably some of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Seen from the unique perspective of a composer, Joel focuses on the key differentiator that sets the band apart: its creative output. History, analysis, influences, outtakes, technology. It’s all there.

Fallings – Work in Progress

January 24, 2015November 21, 2012

A multi-media chamber music theater piece residing in the realm between opera and musical theater, written in collaboration with librettist Seth Friedman. We are heading back to the Montalvo Arts Center in September 2013 to continue work.