Hymn to the Third Death: An Orchestral Portrait of Three Endangered Birds

Abstract

This extended program note follows my process conceptualizing, composing, editing, and workshopping a set of three orchestral miniatures detailing three species of birds: the Red-legged Kittiwake, the Gunnison Sage-Grouse, and the Bachman’s Warbler. Each of these species are at varying levels of peril, being Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct, respectively. I undertook this project with the goal of drawing attention to these birds and the challenges that they face using an orchestral format, and demonstrating the ways in which music can be a method for science communication. This extended program note aims to give background and context to the piece that I composed and the birds I chose to highlight. I will begin with a brief overview of the piece, introduce the birds that I chose, discuss my inspirations and writing process, and the workshopping process and performance with the Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra. I will conclude with my thoughts on music as a tool of science communication, and the importance of joy in the environmental movement.