MoonStrike, for String Quartet and Narrator

Commissioned by Apollo Chamber Players.
Premiered September 27, 2019.

MoonStrike is a work composed for Apollo Chamber Players, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and features American Indian stories with a live narrator. American Indian legends are very colorful and have a tendency to take twists and turns within the narrative. Regarding the Moon, it is very consistent that the traditional tales involve trickster characters and competitions for ownership of this precious object. MoonStrike involves three diverse American Indian legends (Kalispel, Isleta and Haida), includes traditional songs and is bookended with an arrangement of a Calusa Corn Dance. For Southeast Indians, the Green Corn Dance took place during the annual, fall Harvest Moon.


MoonStrike is dedicated to the memory of Margo Aragon-Herrington. It was Margo’s wish that John Herrington and I would collaborate with American Indian astrological stories and it is my joy and honor to realize this dream.

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MOONSTRIKE


Prologue
: Calusa Corn Dance

I. Origin of the Moon (Kalispel)
: Rockies Powwow Song, Apache Bird Song

II. The Man Who Married the Moon (Isleta Pueblo)
: Pueblo Lullaby, Choctaw Hymn 139

III. Raven Steals the Moon (Haida)
: Haida Play Song and War Song

Epilogue
: Calusa Corn Dance


Performed by Apollo Chamber Players, Narrated by Astronaut John Herrington (Chickasaw).

Jerod Tate,Impichchaachaha',Chickasaw,Indian,American Indian,Aboriginal,Native American,First Nations,Indigenous,Music,Classical,Classical Music,Modern Music,Contemporary Music,Composer,