Michael McAndrew '14

Creating a complete edition of Hasse’s La Spartana Generosa

Major/minor: Music Composition
Hometown: Peckville, PA
Project mentors: Dr. Hilde Binford, assisted by Mr. David Boothroyd

Briefly describe your SOAR project.

The project in itself was creating a new version of pre-existing music. The scores were transcribed over a few weeks from manuscript (which can be hard to read) to a modern notation. Then, all principles must be accounted for, as well as the score must be perfect and free of mistakes. Doing this for 30-40 different musical selections this can be quite a project.

What motivated you to participate in SOAR? 

I participated in SOAR previously, and it is just a great experience. Not only to be a part of such a big research project such as this, but also to be able to travel to Germany for the first time ever.

What are the results of your work on this project?

The opera was also performed in a concert version lasting 90 minutes in Leipzig, Germany, and I was able to attend for two weeks at the NEH Institute there. We are still pursuing publication, but some publishing companies in Germany have shown interest, and we have been in contact with Peter Wollny, an archivist in Germany. He has been aggressively promoting the publication of this opera, seeing as there is only one other Hasse opera published. 

What are your personal takeaways from the project? And do you plan to continue work on this project after SOAR? 

Being a prospective student for graduate school, I feel like this whole project is a huge deal for me, especially because it shows that I am multi-skilled through several fields and eras of music. I have made a personal goal to completely finish and produce a copy for myself of this modern version, because anyone who would work on the project this substantial would want to see the fruits of their labor.

What clubs/sports/activities/community service are you involved in? 

I am in several ensembles including marching band, where I am the pit instructor. I have also been a part of the Moravian choir, BIG band, jazz combos, orchestra, and several other music ensembles.

Have you received any awards/recognitions here? 

I received the Leon Prokofy Leonovitch Award as a sophomore, the Steven K. Van Auken Performance Award as a junior, and the Betty Aierstock Moore Memorial Award.

Briefly, what are your future plans and career goals? 

The next big event on my calendar is the premiere of a brand new clarinet concerto entitled Visions Unbroken, which is a musical autobiography of the late Allison Perno (daughter of Campus Safety officer Joseph Perno). This will also become an Honor’s project to be completed in December. At the end of the winter semester, I will graduate early, and in the Fall of 2015, I plan to attend graduate school for a master's degree in music composition. I hope to eventually receive my doctorate in composition and become a professional composer and college professor.