Sheree Clement, composer
Using intricate shimmering colors over re-imagined fragments of tunes, composer Sheree Clement builds surprising comedic narratives.
She upends the listener’s expectations using politically charged texts and over-the-top staged and semi-staged dramas. All with the goal of waking us up to the upheaval, conflicting truths, and possibilities of now.
Fast Fish
An ode to freshwater fish. In four scenes, evoking sparkling ponds in spring, pristine streams, the grief from losing a fish population from overfishing and the gentle movement of magnificent Brook Trout huddling in a deep pool in hot, dry August. For fl, cl/ bass cl, pno, vln, vc. 17’
Here is an excerpt of the beginning of the score
New York Premiere May 13, 2024 New York New Music Ensemble.
Teeth
a short monodrama for piano, spoken word and fixed media, set in the year 2020, in which a woman faces mind-bending isolation and struggles to comprehend the epidemic of death around her. Eliza Garth premiered it at Merkin Hall in March, 2023. See a video of that performance here. Music video coming in 2023-24.
Table Manners
A duet/duel for two sopranos and forty pounds of silverware. The struggle between finding human connection vs. settling for having material stuff conveyed with comedy and drama. Text by Phillis Levin.
Mermaid Songs
for voice and string quartet
Three vivid, funny and forthright songs about not giving up your dream to be a mermaid, friendships between sea urchins, champagne cocktail parties and chemotherapy. For female voice and string quartet. 24′ Text by Heather Hartley, from her book of poems, Adult Swim. Commissioned by Ariadne Greif and the Momenta String Quartet, with support from NYSCA. Premiere and music video coming in 2023-24.