Experiment with different ways to visualize what the final product looks like. The goal is to expedite the creative process. This is one of the topics that was discussed with composer and saxophonist Andrew Koss in episode 3 of the Making Noise Podcast.
Andrew Koss (b. 1994) is a New York City based composer and saxophonist. His work reflects a passion for exploring unique timbre and harmony in an engaging and approachable context. He also is influenced by funk and jazz idioms. His music has been performed at the International Saxophone Symposium in Fairfax, VA and the 2017 National Trumpet Competition in Denver, CO. As a saxophonist, Andrew is an active performer and advocate of new music. He has studied under Keith Young and Paul Cohen. Andrew holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Theory and Composition from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. At IUP he studied Composition under David Martynuik and John Levey. Andrew holds a Master’s Degree in Theory and Composition at New York University, he studied under Robert Honstein and Julia Wolfe.
Andrew and I met in 2017 at the Valencia International Performance Academy & Festival (VIPA) in Valencia, Spain. We were both participants at the conference - taking part in workshops, lectures, performances, lessons - but made it a point to explore the city, hang out on the beach, and drink plenty of fresh aqua de Valencia.
After several years of living, working, and gigging in NYC, Andrew provides great insight for anyone who is considering the musician experience of the Big Apple.
Some of the things discussed:
“There is nothing that can encapsulate the experience of living in NYC until you’re there”
The benefits of composing and doing work in the morning
“The time I spent outside of music, when I come back to it it’s just totally refreshing”
Shout out to Ben Damann
How do you deal with separating the energy you put into creating a proposal and the desired outcome?
“my band performed on a trailer that pulled us around the city of Lancaster”
Shout out to Andrzej Karałow
Texting with flip phones and purple potatoes