Nay's News April 2025
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It’s April, which means Spring is fully here, and I am leaning into these longer days with joy and deep breaths. Spring really is my favorite season. What’s your’s?
Recent releases to stream TODAY:
Covers (Piano & Vocal) by Naomi LaViolette released March 21, this is the full album of covers that I recorded during the pandemic lock-down. I had so much fun re-imagining the accompaniments and singing these beloved songs.
"Evergreen Fog" by Lucente Skye (my artist name for solo piano recordings) released March 14. The 6th song of the Oregon Landscapes series.
"thorns" by Lucia LaViolette released March 7, my daughter Luci's first single from her debut record! I’m so excited for her.
Upcoming Release:
“Kiwanda Crest" by Lucente Skye The 7th release of Oregon Landscapes, accompanied with beautiful artwork by Lindsay Gilmore, releasing April 18. Check out this Patreon post to listen, download the track, and learn the story behind the composition.
“Kiwanda Crest”
Spotify users: here's a helpful playlist to stream ALL of the Lucente Skye songs in the Oregon Landscapes series:
UPCOMING SHOWS
April 12, 8pm
The Cider Janes
A just-for-fun harmony-singing trio with my friends Aliyih & Heather
McMenamin's White Eagle Saloon in Portland, OR
May 3 & 4, 4pm
Oregon Repertory Singers - Heavens Full of Stars
Featuring the music of Ěriks Ešenvalds and a new choral arrangement of my song, "Sunrise."
First United Methodist Church in Portland, OR
Farewell, socials.
It’s official, I’m taking a big break from social media. All are welcome to receive Nay's News and join my Patreon community! There's even a free option.
Recent Highlights
I loved visiting the Mount Hood Community College Choir last month for a composer clinic on "Melancholy Flower," the piece I co-composed with Steven Goodwin. If you are a conductor working on one my pieces, please reach out about a Composer Clinic! I do them over Zoom and in-person.
The Oregon Repertory Singers' annual Soiree last month was so wonderful. We premiered the new arrangement of my song "Sunrise" that night, with the choir accompanying ME this time, all singing from their seats while I sang from the piano on stage. I feel so lucky to be a collaborative pianist in this artistic staff.
I just attended the ACDA (American Choral Director Association) National Conference for the first time. So many wonderful concerts! My favorites were Miami Arts Studio BellArmonia singing Jacob Collier's arr. of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (if you were there, you KNOW what I mean about these singers!), Jake Runestad conducting his "Earth Symphony," the National ACDA High School Honor Jazz choir, and TUKS Camerata from South Africa. I also loved meeting and hearing the music of female composers… B.E.Boykin, Dale Trumbore, Jennifer Lucy Cook, Elaine Hagenberg and Amy Gordon, and learning all about the “Compose Like A Girl” initiative started by composer Jocelyn Hagen. This clearly is the time for women to be investing in choral composing. It’s exciting!
My daughter Luci was also singing in Honor Jazz choir while we were there. Check out their performance here if you’d like!
The first Song Suffragettes PNW show was a blast! Thanks to everyone that made it out on March 8, and to all the performers. Here’s a fun video of the final group song!
Interested in commissioning a new piece or new arrangement? I'd love to hear from you... let's collaborate!
May these spring days bring sun and music and little slivers of hope. I am ever grateful for you.
Warmly,
Naomi (Nay)
P.S. – just had to share this little robin I saw in my birdbath yesterday... it settled down in the warm sun and poofed out its feathers. Too cute.
