Blossomed Stories
April 12th, 2024
at University Methodist Church
Alexa Valles’ Composition Recital
Fugue No. 1 2023
Inspired by J.S Bach, Fugue No. 1 is a study on counterpoint where I attempt to fuse baroque and comtemporary Harmonies.
Lafourcade 2023
This piece is an homage to my favorite artist Natalia Lafourcade. In this piece arranged for beginner orchestra, I re interpret the melodies of her songs “Mexicana Hermosa” and “La Llorona”.
Mystic Forest 2022
In a more atmospheric approach, through this piece I strive to create a winter mystic soundscape as the flute, violin and cello relay the main motive.
How It Happened 2024
My junior year of high school I wrote an 8 bar composition for a short film my friends and I made for our Video Tech class. Now, five years later, I’ve expanded upon the original and completed a set of 3 miniatures representative of the short film.
The short film was about the characters Charlie, Alex, Joan and Chris. Charlie goes missing and the friendgroup falls apart. The film takes place 3 years after her disappearance when the 3 re-unite and deal with the tension that remains amongst them.
Opalescent Halls 2022
This piece is like a musical diary entry for me. I started writing it during a time when I wasn’t doing so well emotionally and I just needed to express my emotions in some way. However by the time summer of 2022 came around, I was doing so much better and was still writing this piece, so I tried to reflect that change of emotion as well. Opalescent Halls is about letting go of the past while appreciating it for what it was.
Un Encuentro
2021
When I joined the composition program in 2021, I was also working at Conjunto Heritage Taller teaching music theory to Conjunto Musicians. This made me wonder how I might be able to play with a conjunto group on my main instrument cello, so I wrote this piece and found a new passion for composition; writing music that incorporates both my American classical music background and my heritage cultural background. “Un Encuentro” is about meeting people, and the excitement that comes along with that.
Una Fogata (A Bonfire)
2024
I took inspiration for this piece from the most moving moments I’ve experienced in my life; sitting around a bonfire with family. I may sometimes feel alone in my emotions and what I’m going through but both the family I was born into and the one I have found along the way is always there for me, and it’s those moments around a fire, singing, or laughing, or even crying together that remind me that I’m not alone. This piece is meant to celebrate my beautiful community.
Burning Olives
2024
As of April 7th, 2024, The Gaza Ministry of Health reported 33,175 Palestinians have been killed since the Gaza genocides began, and 75,886 people have been injured. I am not Palestinian and cannot begin to imagine what they're going through, nor can I authentically write Palestenian music so in no way did I want to attempt to tell a story that's not mine. However, similar to Opalescent Halls, this piece is another musical diary entry. This is a piece about my own feelings as an outsider, as a bystander, as someone frustrated acknowledging my privilege and yet feeling unable to do anything significant that actually helps the death of so many innocent people. I did do some research on the culture and the war happening in Gaza before writing the piece so it’s also about learning about a culture and seeing it burn in front of our eyes. With this piece, I send my deep condolences to anyone from Palestine or Palestenian descent.
Piano
Featured Musicians
Juliana Woodlee
Brandon Davis
Violins
Harmony Grace
Monica Carlos
Nick Ruiz
Karyl De Guzman
Jessica Lara
Violas
Jakob Meza
Jessica Lara
Cellos
Isabella Villalobos
Julia Bent
Bass
Heri Ayma
Accordion
Daniel Rios
Guitarron
Jessica Salas
Flute
Brandon Davis
Clarinet
Madilynne Mohr
Bass Clarinet
Sarah Hamm
Oboe
Julian Rivera
Trumpet
Myles Thornton
Trombone
Ethan Gomes
Tuba
Christian Tapia
Percussion
Valeria Hernandez
Gabe Durand-Hollis
Gabe Leal
My Musicians
Firstly, I want to thank all the musicians performing tonight! The best part about planning this recital and what I’m most grateful for is that I got to work with such wonderful musicians. Not only in skill but all of the people that performed tonight are so kind, cooperative, proactive in learning their parts, and really caring for this just as much as I do. Every rehearsal was so fun and insightful as a composer and educator.
My Family & Friends
Para mi familia, muchas gracias por todo su apoyo. Gracias por siempre ayudarme y quidarme tanto estos 4 años especialmente. En todos los proyectos que eh trabajado en, ustedes me an ayudado de alguna manera y en verdad no lo podria haber echo sin ustedes. Gracias por enseñarme a actuar con amor y passion por todo lo que hago. Thank you to my found-family as well, I am so moved that I get to experience this recital surrounded by so much love. Thank you for keeping me company when I need it, for creating art with me, for sharing your stories with me, for hearing me talk and go on about nonsense, for guiding me, helping me, and sticking by my side even when I make mistakes. My friends specially have been so motivating when I doubt my musical career, thank you so much for your kind words that truly do push me forward.
My Mentors
Thank you to all my teachers. I wish I could list every single teacher that has helped me be here today but I only have so much space. I specially wanted to mention a few pivotal people for me. Caitlin Snyder for teaching me how to be a kind teacher,thank you for always making me feel heard and motivating me as a cellist. Aaron Gomez, for inspiring me, teaching me to approach music with passion, always. Dr. Beavers for guiding me and helping me find my way around college and my music career.
Thank yous & Acknowledgements
Special Thanks to Dr. Andrew Lloyd
Thank you to Dr. Lloyd for hosting this event. When I first picked a date for my recital you could’ve easily said you couldn’t be there and moved on, but instead, you recommended this beautiful venue and found a day that worked for both of us. Your attendance today and help planning means so much to me. You’ve taught me to never settle or compromise on the art I create.
Thank you for expecting a lot out of me, because that made me believe I could do so much more than I thought before taking lessons with you. Thank you.
Thank you all for attending my recital