Invitation to Be
an album by McKenna Blenk
OUT NOW!
A medley of Chappell Roan's Good Luck, Babe!, Pink Pony Club, and HOT TO GO!
Performed by the Iowa All University Steel Band, directed by McKenna Blenk
Arranged by Blenk
A Halloween medley featuring Disturbia, Love Potion No. 9, Zombie, and Somebody's Watching Me
Performed by the Iowa All University Steel Band, directed by McKenna Blenk
Arranged by Blenk
Performed by the Iowa All University Steel Band, directed by McKenna Blenk
Arranged by Blenk
Performed by the Iowa Steel Band
Arranged by McKenna Blenk
Commissioned by McKenna Blenk
featuring Halie Augustus
I. Prologue
II. Duple Dance
III. Abwesenheit
IV. Petite Play
V. Da Capo al Coda Dodecafonia
Tiny Dancer was a commission from the “Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History” consortium led by Emily Salgado and composed in honor of powerhouse percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
Murasaki translates to “purple” in Japanese and is a part of Akiho’s Synesthesia Suite. Akiho’s synesthesia only manifests while performing on steel pan, and each color piece in his suite is based around a pitch or tonality that he improvised on. Murasaki was written in about 7 minutes and centers around a D-flat tonality. This piece starts with an arpeggiated passage that mimics a harp, then becomes a reggae inspired by the music and energy of Bob Marley. A quick arpeggiated section imitates water flowing from a waterfall, similar to the harp-like sound from the beginning of the piece, before fading away with one last reggae inspired line.
Toccata begins with a somber drone of alternating notes, a reoccurring theme that is evident throughout the piece. The music builds in speed and intensity until abruptly reaching a contrasting section with a soloistic octatonic melody over a prominent bass line. One last flowing line appears before the decaying octatonic melody comes back on top of the steady bass line. Toccata brings the listener through a wide range of dynamics, rushing tempos, and reflective melodic themes. Toccata was written in memory and as a tribute to the composers’ late father.
featuring McKenna Blenk (soloist), Michael Hill, Hannah Oberhoffer-Phillips, Ani Perez-Brennan
Seaglass Catcher was commissioned through a consortium led by the New Works Project
Commissioned by McKenna Blenk
featuring Ani Perez-Brennan and Jenna Springer
