Stephen Lias, traveling adventure-composer, has returned back from his trip to Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. The experiences of this trip will directly influence the creation of a symphonic score dedicated to the National Preserve.
Lias was flown into the Preserve to tour the sights with Nome music teacher Ron Horner. The two toured the park to gather ideas for a piece of music inspired by the surrounding area. The Preserve’s granite tors made the biggest impression on him. “The thing I was struck with the most was the feeling of the mythic proportions of the place,” said Lias, “and the way that these granite tors become animals or faces or eagles or whales as you look at them.” He says it feels like these faces have been staring down the hills for thousands of years.
Lias says granite tors might sound like strong brass lines accompanied by sharp percussion. But what does a tundra sound like? According to Lias, it’s in a rhythm different from a normal piece of music. To him, a tundra carries a beat similar to the waltz. He imagines a tune that forms a flowing figure of descending interlocking lines. He hopes this captures the fluidity of the water that flows all over the landscape.
Writing the music hasn’t come without its challenges. Typically, Lias is commissioned to write for city philharmonics or larger symphonic ensembles. He says writing for a school’s band program has been a unique challenge that he’s ready to rise to.
Lias brought local Nome school teacher Ron Horner along to help him come up with a structure that Nome school kids could play.
Lias says the piece commissioned for Nome Public Schools will be finished by February. After his travels, he is currently in Homer for the Wild Shores New Musical Festival.
