Once In A Blue Moon

"Once In A Blue Moon" is a collaborative composition composed by student musicians at the 2017 Longy Summer Academy. After a conversation about the overall project, available instruments (including a full symphonic orchestra, West Africa hand drums and pitched string instruments), students were tasked with creating original melodies, bass lines, harmonic material, rhythmic patterns on the hand drums, and the overall form. The original music of "Once In A Blue Moon" was inspired by the West African traditional song entitled "The Genie Lady," which is played by the ngoni (traditional West African string instrument) and the flute at the beginning and end of the composition. The music tells the story of the Genie Lady and her ability to grant fantastical wishes for all whom she encounters...once in a blue moon.