
Sakari Dixon Vanderveer
Redlands, CASakari Dixon Vanderveer’s work connects people of all ages and backgrounds over a shared love of music. A composer, violist, and teaching artist, she eagerly collaborates with creatives of various disciplines, especially if such projects enable children to experience the joy of creating art.
Photography by William Vasta, 2014
“feRaL”
“feRaL” is a piece for alto saxophone and string trio commissioned for performance by Kelsey Broersma. I found the title attractive because anything that is feral is difficult if not impossible to constrain or pin down. Likewise, the opening melody in the saxophone, though distinctive, never repeats itself in its entirety. Every iteration of the melody is some sort of variation or “teaser.” The tempo marking for the opening of the piece is also described as “rash,” affirming the impulsive nature of the piece.
Fire Season (2019)
Fire Season was commissioned by the Salastina Music Society for their program Sounds Festive: The Four Seasons x 2, which took place on December 14 and 15, 2019. Inspired by poetry from California poets Thea Gavin, Benjamin Gucciardi, and Donna Emerson, Fire Season depicts three scenes from autumn in Southern California.
NewMusicBox Articles
After I plunged right into a 9-to-5 position, I began to contemplate what it would look like to create a routine that would facilitate the continuation of my education in...
As a composer, I’ve realized that perfectionism is encouraged frequently to some extent and with good reason. Precise notation minimizes uncertainty for performers and makes rehearsals more efficient. But don't...
Since I was convinced that I wanted to focus on freelance composing and performing when I graduated, I didn’t thoughtfully consider the possibility of teaching as an integral aspect of...
See more of Sakari Dixon Vanderveer's articles on NewMusicBox.