Hello, my friends!
Winter, 2024. This is time to plan. the next harvest. I was able to get some things to happen. would love to see you .
This cold snap, (the “Frozen Peas” of Winter!) has been a challenge and I am wishing you strength to get through it!
I have THREE events that I am inviting you to, in the next month and half, and they all are FREE!
- Sunday, January 28 4pm. 113, a Local Composer’s Collective, will be performing 5 of my VISUAL INTUITIVE SCORES at Studio Z! This is the first time a group has played these special scores, that I haven’t been a part of organizing . I am excited to see what they come up with! Studio Z 275 E. 4th street, suite 200 St. Paul 55101.
- Friday, February 2nd. 7:08pm- 8:18 pm. Matty Harris (bass clarinet/clarinet), Aaron Kerr (cello) with join me (oration, piano like things, etc) for the opening of a new art space.“GETTING OUR FEET WET”. We will invent from Visual Intuitive Scores, (large and small) and provide ambience, tension/release, and sonic mysteries. F.O.K. Gallery, 106 Water Street, 3rd floor, St. Paul MN.
- Saturday, February 24th. 2:30-3:30 pm. The First Big Show of the Year! I hung a show of my Art (including the visual intuitive score kind) at Park Grove Library. A great combo has been formed: Laura Harada (violin) Aaron Kerr, Michelle Kinney (cello) Loki Karuna ( bassoon) from NEW YORK ! and Heather Barringer, percussion. !!!! This configuration hasn’t performed yet, but it will be grand. I will do orations and guide the process. We will be in the conference room.
- Park Grove Library 7900 Hadley Ave S, Cottage Grove MN 55106
Fall: 2023
Wyoming Art Center: “The Art of Two Brothers” Opens Thursday, September 21. Closes October 14th. Mid -show concert in early October, which will feature the show ” Bird Myths”
October 1 Sunday, Barringer Family Farm. Visual intuitive Scores for ensemble Zeitgeist.
PIANOS ON PARADE: June 2023.
This June, I will be playing each Thursday on colorfully painted pianos, which are outside several locations in Down town Minneapolis. Time is 12 to 1 pm. For these short concerts, I will reveal works that you may know and several that you don’t. These events are free to the public, and I am being paid by generous funding. Enjoy !
Thursday, June 8th (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM): Aloft Hotel (900 S Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415)
- The piano is near the front entrance on Washington Avenue, under the overhang.
Thursday, June 15th (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM): The Depot Hotel (225 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55401)
- The piano is to the left of the main doors, on the patio near the greenery.
Thursday, June 22nd (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM): Capella Tower (225 South 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402)
- The piano is on the side of Capella Tower facing 6th Street, closer to 3rd Avenue.
Thursday, June 29th (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM): Hilton Minneapolis (1001 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403)
- The piano is to the left of the front entrance under the awning inside of gates.
Spring !
Welcome to Todd Harper’s website! Thank you very much for coming here.
I will now switch to first person narrative, and tell you things.
Now is the time in my life when my influences are all falling together. In short” I grew up as a “nature boy” son of an ecologist. Also interested in global issues, and in my 20’s discovered free jazz. My head came off. I went from photography to gesture drawing/ block printing. Kept up writing, through being an elementary school teacher. Spent decades as a jazz performer, then new music composer, and now combining them with art and oration. what are they? Visual/Intuitive scores.
Huh? what are they? Here’s one.
“Copious amounts of water” a Visual/Intuitive score for Garrett McQueen, bassoonist, and ( mostly wood) percussion, to premiere on FRIDAY APRIL 7 , 730 pm ,at STUDIO Z with the Euglena Quintet. Garrett will be joined by Michelle Kinney ( cello) Laura Harada (violin) Heather Barringer ( percussion) and Todd Harper, (compositions, orations, eclectic pianos, and hoo ha)
These scores will be projected onto the wall, larger than life for everyone to enjoy.
In this critical time in human history, encouraging music is needed more now than ever. The solution to all our problems are not going to come through technology, government, or other linear ways. We need to life our spirit. This doesn’t mean we ignore pain, sadness, rage; we can take these experiences and transform. I want my music to be able to do that.
What I Do
Experiences
Keys Please: piano music of 3 generations
(2001 – 2016)
For 15 years, Carei Thomas, Paul Cantrell and I curated a yearly concert series, first at MacCalester College, then at Studio Z. We presented new works; jazz , new classical, poemmetry, a weather report. Paul would always perform a work from the Romantic era,,, we had special guests each year,: John Minceski, Gary Schulte, Jaquiline Ultan, Laura Witzkowski, David Edminster, Pat O’Keefe, Bob Ockenden, James Holdman, Nathan Hanson, Kim Sueoka, & Heather Barringer.
Todd Harper, 