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The Activist Creed

2020-04-23

A reflection on the evil in the world and everyday, heroic powers that combat it, no matter the adversity or discomfort. Premiered on Earth Day, 2020. Work for Piano and Fixed Electronics.

Composer: Gabriel McDerment

Year of Composition: 2020
Instrumentation: Piano, Fixed Electronics
Type of Electronics: Live

Number of Channels: 27
Duration: 8:36
Video Component: Fixed

Recording

This piece seeks to explore the work of everyday heroes that change the realities of life for others. The opening percussion section represents a world of chaos thrust upon our hero, who is introduced at 0:43 with the piano motif. All of the piano motifs in the work represent this hero in his quest. All electronic sounds denote the work of evil and distraction trying to silence the protagonist and distort his work, all of which ultimately fail. In the end, our hero becomes exhausted with little forward advancement, where he looks inwardly to what he stands for and begins to ignite others with the simple moral principles. A movement is born, and a sweeping restatement of one of the initial motifs has achieved its reform goal. The world is a better place, and the hero is left to reflect over his journey. Now, more than ever, we need a hero. Our earth is dying at our very hands. Humanity must realize the good that exists within itself, and fight for it with all we have. Earth Day represents effort to make sure that humanity will always be able to live with the Earth. Let this be our motivation to be heroes.

This piece was premiered at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis’s Donald L. Tavel Center for Arts and Technology Research’s Earth Day Art Model Telematic Festival on April 22nd, 2020.

Music and Video Copyright © 2020 Gabriel McDerment

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