Marilyn Bliss Consortium
Sky Blue Pink for flute and piano
World Premiere: Tuesday, April 1st
Rose Bishop, DK Recital Hall,
Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
DETAILS ON HOW TO JOIN THE CONSORTIUM
Any donation amount is welcome, but you will receive an autographed copy of the score if you donate $100 or more.
$100 or more
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Listed on the title page as a contributing member
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Receive an autographed copy of the score
$250
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Pre-publication and performance rights (until December 1st, 2025)
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Autographed copy of the score
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Name inside the title page
Consortium closes April 1st, 2025
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Option of submitting 2 payments for Performing Members:
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1st payment of $150 due April 1st, 2025
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2nd payment of $100 due May 15th, 2025
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If you're like to contribute outside of these two options, or have any questions, please email Rose Bishop at flute.rosebishop@gmail.com
PROGRAM NOTES
One of the realities of growing up in rural Iowa was a long car ride home. But if it was at sunset, it could be a theatrical experience. I loved riding in the back seat on a late afternoon when there was a variety of clouds to filter the sun’s glare and paint the sky with colors. I was especially fascinated by the seemingly impossible blend of blue and pink, and when my mother asked me what my favorite color was, I told her “sky blue pink.” Of course it was impossible to find anything in that color! But for my birthday, she bought me a doll that had a dress that was exactly that! So this piece is dedicated to my mother, who appreciated nuance and could move mountains.
Sky Blue Pink is a lyrical piece, following a sunset drama that includes some dark threatening clouds but eventually resolves into a clear night sky with the first stars of the night. The tension between tonality and chromaticism reflects the sky’s changing colors. It’s a piece that gives both the flute and piano chances to sing and is a piece for all to enjoy.
About Marilyn Bliss
Inspired by the beauty of nature, world culture, art, and literature, the music of Marilyn Bliss brings a breath of fresh air into any concert program. A flutist herself, she has had special renown as the composer of works for the flute family, including piccolo, alto flute, Native American flute, and flute ensembles. A native of Iowa, she received her B.M. degree from Coe College with a triple major in composition, flute, and voice, and her graduate degree in composition from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied with the renowned composers George Crumb and George Rochberg. She was also a Tanglewood Fellow, where she studied with Jacob Druckman. After receiving her degree in Philadelphia, she moved to New York, where she has lived ever since.
Ms. Bliss is currently President of New York Women Composers. Her works have been performed throughout the world, and her music has been recorded by Navona Recordings and Albany Records, among several labels. Her newest recording, The Discovery of Honey for woodwind quintet, is scheduled for release on April 4. Ms. Bliss is published by the American Composers Alliance and Mostly Marimba Productions.
For more information, please visit her website: