A Different Reality
A Different Reality is a multiyear project for marimba and electronics that examines today’s world through the lens of a future generation. The project features narratives of five girls residing on the West Coast of the United States and follows them every three years since 2020.
* About the first part
The first part features the five girls when they were 10-12 years old. They were asked the same 25 questions that cover topics of recent events, self-identity, and their worldview in late August/early September in 2020. Six hours’ worth of interviews were examined and edited down to be incorporated into this three-minute work. The interviews were conducted virtually through video calls.
This piece was commissioned by National Sawdust
Premiered by Ian Rosenbaum at National Sawdust
* About the second part
The second part followed the same girls (with one missing) who were then 13-15 years old. They were again asked the same 25 questions that cover topics of recent events, self-identity, and their worldview. The interviews were conducted between June and August of 2023 in person. Five hours’ worth of interviews were examined and edited down to be incorporated into this four-minute work.
This piece is supported by New Music USA & Creative Practice and Critical Inquiry fund
Premiered by Levy Lorenzo at Harvard University
* About the third part
The third part follows up with the same girls who are 16-18 years old. Same 25 questions will be asked that cover topics of recent events, self-identity, and their worldview. The interviews are being conducted in July/August of 2026, either virtually or in person depending on the interviewee's preference.
This piece is supported by New Music USA
A Different Reality is supported by the New Music USA’s Creator Development Fund with major support from Howard Gilman Foundation, The Amphion Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Sony Music Group, Cheswatyr Foundation, The ASCAP Foundation, and BMI Foundation. The work is also made possible through donations to the New Music USA Endowment. The project has also received support from National Sawdust and the Creative Practice and Critical Inquiry program at Harvard University.