The next installment of the Electric Echoes score is Movement 2, The Aria. As is much of this ‘cosmic tech opera,’ some of the instruments are acoustic and the others are synths, in addition to the vocal parts of course. This is a highly adaptable piece for different ensembles. The specific qualities, especially sonority, of the synth parts can be taken into account when substituting instruments. FX it up.
The companion album recording was published first in 2024, as it was somewhat improvised. This can make scoring more difficult later – I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that method – but the spontaneity yielded beautiful melodies. I’ve gotten much better at scoring by ear because of all the practice, and that becoming more normalized for my process.
In early 2025, the 6 movement piece released as an album was recognized with an ASCAP Concert Writer’s Award.
It’s a great pleasure to share the score because that was the original intent, to enhance and communicate the repertoire. Electric Echoes could be considered modern classical, electroacoustic or new age. There are a bunch of descriptors. The composition combines tonal and atonal into harmony, using traditional as well as some pleasing noise and dissonance, inspired by electronic music or techno. It’s always fun working with synths!
“Blending cosmic themes with mythology and technology, “Electric Echoes: A Cosmic Tech Opera” opera aims to revive and expand the genre for a new generation with a blend of modern electronic with traditional, on into the future.”
For performance inquiries, please e-mail: sarah.ikerd@studio-shangri-la.com
Paperback:
Digital: