In the intricate dance of composing music, form serves as the structural backbone, guiding melodies and harmonies into cohesive expressions. For women composers balancing the demands of family life, achieving this structural clarity can be particularly challenging.
The Challenge of Form Amidst Family Life
Form in music requires a bird’s-eye view—a comprehensive understanding of the piece’s architecture. However, for mothers, especially those with children they love very much, life is often a series of unpredictable moments. This constant flux can make it difficult to find the uninterrupted time and mental space needed to conceptualize and develop complex musical forms.
Historically, women composers have faced similar challenges. Clara Schumann, a renowned pianist and composer, managed to compose while raising eight children and supporting her husband’s career. Yet, she often felt that her creative pursuits were secondary to her domestic responsibilities .
Personally, I had to dig through many electronic resources and fragments of projects with students to get just the perfect material for the KING OF LOVE Cantata. I had loads of hymns we used at table worship, a newly composed poem on the book of James (inspired by an online bible study the kids started), a beautiful last prayer from Lance Patrick; but to weave it all together I only had a checklist or “recipe” for a single song not a form that allowed me to draft a full course meal of cantata for middle voice, violin, cello, guitar and piano. So I needed to create a new document to guide me through this form and I hope to have it ready to share by June 21 on if I can get funding, time and music to work just right!
Weaving Psalms into Cantatas: A Personal Endeavor
My current project involves setting the Psalms to music through cantatas—a form that inherently demands structural precision and thematic development. This endeavor is not just a musical pursuit but a spiritual one, aiming to bring the timeless words of the Psalms to life in a contemporary context.
Balancing this creative process with family life is a daily challenge. The need for extended periods of focus to develop musical ideas often clashes with the immediate demands of parenting. Yet, the richness of family life also brings depth and authenticity to my compositions.
Supporting the Journey
To continue this work, I invite you to support my efforts through buymeacoffee.com/nicoledoran Your contributions will help provide the necessary resources and time to focus on composing, allowing these cantatas to come to fruition.
By supporting this project, you’re not only aiding in the creation of new music but also championing the voices of women composers striving to balance artistry with family life. I will gladly buy you a coffee or at least attempt to give you some musical refreshment in a world that is often frustrating and artless.
Thank you for being part of this journey and Happy Mother’s Day and I pray this post encourages you to persevere in good work.
Doran Music Studio 