Out! GLBT Musical
I am part of a three songwriter/writer /educator team working on a musical based on composites of GLBT youth coming out stories. OUT! sets the monologues of GLBT adults and teens from various cultures and economic backgrounds to music; OUT! values diversity, overcoming oppression and reducing suicide among marginalized groups. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. The other artists working on this project are Lisa Rogers, founder of OutYouth and a member of the Therapy Sisters and songwriter/playwright Christy Claxton.
Lying to the Sea Gypsy ( An Operetta )
A 60 minute eleven song operetta for middle school and above. A modern day student named Casey meets a mysterious figure who says: “I’m Marcigano, queen witch of the sea. Who might YOU be?” “I’m Captain Casey McKenzie and I’m a pirate,” Casey answers, more wishfully than truthfully. Casey’s punishment for lying to the sea gypsy is to be granted three wishes. Casey wishes to be captain of all the pirates, but is being a pirate all it’s cracked up to be? Casey meets people who are outside her every day experience, has an opportunity to live out a longed-for adventure, encounters meanness and rotten behavior and then engages in a passionate struggle to make things right. The operetta debuted May 2009 at the Cheltenham Arts Center in Philadelphia. The work has been done at Converse College and recently in Princeton, NJ Dec. 2010. Please check the calendar page for additional dates and times.
Script and Score available from Outlaw Hill Arts or Amazon.com.
Listen to a midi version of the LTTSG Overture
The Gaia Psalms
The Gaia Psalms are eight pieces written as part of a performance art Unitarian Universalist Earth Day Service. The concept of this work is to create an interactive multimedia worship experience that is both moving and simple. This work is in the Gebrauchsmusik (Utility Music) tradition. All the music is written with the beginning or amateur musician in mind. In the actual worship service version, visual artists have created four altars to the four directions and elements. The children's choir has made masks of different birds, fish and animals, and there are responsive readings in which the congregation participates. A tree planting on the grounds of the church completes the experience. The pieces were also meant to be spoken over. The minimalist, meditative quality is intended to create a spiritual connection in the listener and move the listener to both celebrate and reconnect as a member of the Earth’s community. “Gaia” (Guy-ah) or “Gaea” most commonly refers to Gaia (of Greek mythology), the primal Greek goddess of the earth. We chose the title, The Gaia Psalms” because psalms are songs of praise and engaged lamentation. This work comes out of NASA scientist James Lovelock's "Gaia Hypothesis" which states that the Earth can be thought of as a self preserving, living organism. The work also strives to remove the duality between science and spirituality. Christian monk Thomas Berry said, "You scientists have this stupendous story of the universe. It breaks outside all previous cosmologies. But so long as you persist in understanding it solely from a quantitative mode you fail to appreciate its significance. You fail to hear its music. That's what the spiritual traditions can provide. Tell the story, but tell it with a feel for its music." Here are two sample songs. This first song is called Seeds. Music by Kiya Heartwood, Litany and Narration by Rev. Meg Barnhouse Listen to: Seeds (Gaia Psalms). This song is titled, Water . Music by Kiya Heartwood and narration and litany by Rev.Meg Barnhouse.
CD, script and scores available from Outlaw Hill Arts or Amazon.com.
A Balance of Earth and Sky
A three song cycle of praise and connection written by composer/singer-songwriter Kiya Heartwood for mixed chorus and piano. This work was commissioned by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton's Music Ministry for the UUCP choir. "A Balance of Earth and Sky" is a musical ceremony for centering and balance. The pieces include Gloria, Rivers of Grass, and The Beauty Way. Scores are available from amazon.com or Outlaw Hill Arts.
Sample midi file of III. The Beauty Way.
Weave and Spin
Weave and Spin is a Six Song Cycle for womens' voices. The work was commissioned by the Denver Womens Chorus and debuted in 2006. The songs from this work have been performed by: MUSE Cincinnati 2007 At GALA 2008 in Miami FLA 2008, Converse College Chamber Singers Spartanburg, SC 2008 , and the Calliope Feminist Chorus of Athens Ohio 2009. The latest performance was with the Anna Crusis Women's Choir Nov 2010.
