JUNO award-winning composer Bekah Simms has announced the release of 'metamold'. The piece was commissioned by the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University for three ensembles: Crash Ensemble, Eighth Blackbird, and New York New Music Ensemble.

Having first premiered at New Music Dublin in 2021, 'metamold' is a genre-avoidant piece with electronic elements and shapeless soundscapes. According to Simms, the commissioned ensembles are embedded within the work, their musical performances shaping the final sound.

Since the premiere of 'metamold', Simms has worked as a composer-in-residence with Crash Ensemble, leading to the follow-up piece ‘Cryptid', which will premiere on April 27th during New Music Dublin's late night concert Changing States.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Crash Ensemble (@crashensemble)

Speaking of her experience working with Crash Ensemble, Simms reflects: “Through the writing process, I learned about their inclinations and interpretive flourishes that make them so compelling as an ensemble - fearlessly virtuosic and endlessly colourful, they are truly a dream ensemble to write for and amazing interpreters of this piece that was truly written with them in mind.”

Simms is a recent recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, considered to be one of the most prestigious grants in the world.  Each year since 1925, about 175 awards are offered to exceptional individuals in any field of research or art form. Notable early Fellows incluse Rachel Carson, James Baldwin, Martha Graham and Linus Pauling.

Bekah Simms and Crash Ensemble’s 'metamold' is set to release on May 17 on Crash Records. For pre-save information, click here. To pre-order the piece on Bandcamp, click here.