a few words of wisdom
From my experience as a composer and life-long lover of music
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BORN TO PLAY
Deborah J. Anderson grew up in Tacoma, Washington, and began composing at the piano at age 6. As a teenager she continued piano studies as well as voice. In college she majored in languages, later serving in the Peace Corps (Tunisia) where she taught English and studied the Arabic ‘oud and popular Arabic songs. Later she fulfilled a life-long dream of learning to play the English Renaissance lute. After earning a master’s degree in French (University of Washington, Seattle), she taught ESL and French on the college level for a number of years, and from 2000 to 2011 sang in the Pacific Lutheran University Choral Union. She enjoys her four adult children, the arts, travel and gourmet cooking. Since 2014 she has served on the Board of Directors of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra.
Deborah’s compositions range in setting from solo voice and choir to instrumental ensembles, solo works, duets, trios, chamber works, brass ensemble, and symphonic band with videography. She especially enjoys the challenges of composing for unusual settings. For example, a recent composition for harp, cello and narrator (Solar Flare Enigma) is based on a painting which is displayed during local performances. A new commission (opus 87) will feature clarinet, double bass and soprano voice. Deborah composes intuitively rather than intellectually, and endeavors to engage the musicians as well as the audience in a stimulating flow of moods and experiences. Her compositions are performed world-wide.
sample pieces
Original Northwest production, including Deborah J. Anderson's 12 Lullabies for Grandmother, performed by Joseph Williams, recorded and mastered by Bob McCaffery-Lent, with photography and slide show production by Michael Ray. Please visit www.deborahjanderson.com for more of Deborah's Music Bob McCafferey-Lent's recording studio
Composed for the Tacoma Concert Band, this piece is accompanied by original photography shot under the bridges of Paris. Inspiration for the work came from many years spent in Paris and many childhood excursions to study bridges with my civil-and-structural engineer father.
Deborah’s Watercolors
“ I enjoy doing watercolors of places I have visited all over the world. The process of creating the watercolor intensifies the experiences of travel. I find inspiration in all kinds of things, sometimes architecture, sometimes scenery or flowers that I’ve bought while exploring. I find it meditative, and it helps me focus.”
The Waterlily: Inspired by a photograph and intended to evoke a peaceful setting.
Yellow Flowers: While on a trip to France, I bought yellow freesias for my hotel room.
Medieval Music Manuscript: I have always loved illuminated manuscripts, and I saw this one in the cathedral (duomo) in Siena, Italy. It was huge! The music manuscripts would be set on tall, sturdy supports, and the singing monks would stand in a semi-circle and read the music.
View of Rome: This was the view from my hotel window in Rome.
View of Arches and a Garden: The summer palace at the Alhambra, an exotic palace built by the Moorish rulers of southern Spain in the mid-13th century.
Tower: A tower in Siena, Italy
Cactus: Flowering cactus in Cuba.
Dome and Tower: Florence, Italy
