Gregory Smith

Mr. Smith's Composition takes the audience on a hilarious and educational romp into the mind of Mr. Smith as he composes.  Included in the journey are the many decisions a composer is required to make, a severe bout of writer’s block, and even a composer’s nightmare. The audience is drawn into the process by being asked to choose the final ending, which they are encouraged to do by following their hearts.  The narration is written in the “third-person” but capable narrators are invited to perform the work as the actual composer in the “first-person”.  This further enhancement gives the audience the meaningful experience of hearing and seeing “a real-live composer”. 

Commissioned and premiered by Marin Alsop and the Eugene Symphony, Mr. Smith's Composition is the first of Gregory Smith’s efforts in the genre.  When it arrived in 1990, it ushered in a fresh approach to family-educational concert programming.    

Orchestration: 3(pic), 2(3 opt.), 2(3opt.), 2(3 opt.)   4, 3, 3, 1   Timp +2,  Harp, Strings,   Narrator.

Timing: 21 minutes 

Translations available: German