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choose the projects that I think I can do JH: My top priority in composing is
a good job on. The pieces that scare me the performer and the audience. I
and challenge me to grow are usually think the music should be moving and
the ones I pick to write. But how lucky memorable. The audience shouldn’t
am I to have so many people asking? need a Ph.D. to understand it, and even
It’s quite a wonderful situation. if it’s your very first classical concert,
LC: What’s the hardest part of the the music should still speak to you.
business for you? Is it on the creative That’s my number one priority. Quality
side? Or more on the “business of does not have to be sacrificed to
the business” side – like getting your communicate, and art has to constantly
works out there, known and requested renew in order to survive. This is my firm
by orchestras or chamber groups, or belief, and I work constantly to make
individual musicians? sure situations are always improving.
JH: The creative side is such a Zen- We all benefit.
like experience for me that I find it to LC: Do you have a piece you’ve
be a balm to my soul, even when it’s written that is especially important or
difficult (which it frequently is). The meaningful to you? For example, I read
business side is way more taxing, up on blue cathedral because it’s one
but I’m lucky in that I have so many of my favorites, and I learned about
performances that I don’t worry your motivation for and connection to
about getting my music out there. My it after your brother’s cancer death.
challenge is more like making sure I Perhaps it’s that one, or perhaps
get scores out on time to performers, another piece or pieces?
and managing the interviews and the JH: I think if I had to pick one piece, it
performers’ questions. With more would be blue cathedral, but truthfully,
than 200 performances a year, it’s a the entire body of work now feels
constant balancing act to make sure I to me like it’s a reflection of my life
have enough time to write and travel experience and all the different stages
to concerts, while accommodating of my life; selecting one work is just
requests. impossible. So, I tend to think of the
LC: Now that we’ve had a peek as to collection of works (which is more than
what goes into your creative process, 170 at this point) as my true voice and
what do you strive for in your finished my true representation.
piece?

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