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Craig Michael Davis is an internationally known composer, conductor, and pianist from California who currently lives in Bloomington, Indiana. He travels the world performing with The Craig Michael Davis Ensemble, which he founded in 2015. Receiving a Master’s Degree in Theory and Composition from the New York University, Craig studied predominately with Michael Gordon and Julia Wolfe. Craig's most recent work Re-Creation, for String Orchestra, was premiered by the L'viv Philharmonic Orchestra in May 2015. For the theater, Craig is currently working on a piece entitled, “Letters to a Terrorist,” portraying one woman’s journey and life as the wife of the leader of a terrorist organization in Algeria. Since 2009, Craig has conducted various full and scratch orchestra-type ensembles, including the Broadway Chamber Players, the New Music Ensemble at California State University, Fullerton; the Fullerton Choir; and The White Noise Contemporary Music Ensemble. These ensembles have curated music from the Renaissance through music of today including David Lang, Louis Andriessen, Terry Riley, Kyle Gann, Lloyd Rodgers, and Frederic Rzewski. As a pianist, Craig has toured The United States and Europe giving performances of his original works. He often collaborates with painters and dancers to create new works that last anywhere from 5 minutes to 5 hours. Craig has become increasingly interested in writing and performing music in cross collaborative-genre venues that deal with multiple mediums simultaneously. His writing has earned a number of awards and residencies, among which include two ASCAP awards, Finalist in the 2015 Sacrarium International Composition Competition and Forum, The 2013 Alan A. Mannason Award for Composition, and The 2012 Henriquez Award for Composition. His music has been played in the United States as well as in Europe. Most recently, his works have been performed by the New York University Philharmonic Orchestra; the L'viv Philharmonic Orchestra in L'viv, Ukraine; the JACK Quartet, in New York; and at various new music performance spaces in and around New York City. Craig's music is published through Jack Harrison Publishing Inc.

LETTERS TO A TERRORIST, Opera-Ballet in One Act by Craig Michael Davis (CD Release Date: MARCH 3rd, 2019) "I sensed his death was imminent. For some time before it happened, I'd sit in front of the T.V., at eight o'clock, expecting to see the latest terrorists killed.

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The Craig Michael Davis Ensemble Inc.

Tax ID: 82-1399888

Thanks to our patrons and donors over the last three years, we've been able to found a non-profit "Breaking the Fourth Wall" that champions new music in new spaces for new audiences. Your support is what enables us to put on concerts and keep music free and open to the public. Because of our continued belief that music should be free and accessible to the public, we've traveled the world sharing new music with people as far away as L'viv, Ukraine and Fairbanks, Alaska.

From the composer: "Because of the support from our fans, in 2017, I was able to release my first album that contained 12 Etudes for Solo Piano, I wrote a guitar orchestra piece commissioned by the Indiana University Guitar Orchestra, finished a commission for the IU wind band, and finished a commission for a saxophone ensemble piece (12 saxophones) to be premiered in 2018."

WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON?:

In 2018, my first opera, "Letters to a Terrorist," is scheduled to be premiered in Bloomington, Indiana. Our goal is to take it on the road and to tell Nadia's story in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. Our $25,000 budget for this project covers most travel, musicians salaries, recording costs and marketing. However, more than 70% of this budget will need to come from donor support if we are to reach our goal before the road trip. Please consider donating to keep music free, and know that all donations are tax deductible. All donations above $50 will receive a free recording of the opera, all donations above $100 will receive a signed copy of the opera score and recording of the opera.

"LETTERS TO A TERRORIST (SYNOPSIS):

Nadia, the protagonist, finds herself caught between her family and the man she loves, while she wrestles with the teachings of Islam and Ahmed, her husband’s expectations. All the while, Ahmed is rising through the ranks of the Groupe Islamique Armé, or G.I.A., to become head Emir of the organization. Their one goal is to, “purge the land of the ungodly,” with the slogan, “no agreement, no truce, no dialogue.” To accomplish this, the G.I.A. utilizes violent measures against civilians, not limited to kidnapping, assassination, and bombings.

A life written in letters, Nadia writes her experiences as she realizes that Ahmed has become a leading figure in “the fight against the tagout (non-muslim).” She admits boughs of extreme love and infatuation, grapples with betrayal, loyalty, mistrust, deceit and infidelity, and ultimately reaches a place of apathy, only to find the entire town turning on her, her newborn baby and a form of terrorism and bloodlust that she never wanted any part of. Though very real, Nadia’s story has been silenced for socio-political reasons. However, through our collaborative efforts and imaginative storytelling, Nadia’s story, which is that of many women like her, can be heard, on the world stage through the expressive power of music, song, and dance.

With Gratitude,

Craig Michael Davis
President & Director | BTFW New Music Festival

Mail Physical Checks to:

The Craig Michael Davis Ensemble Inc.

P.O. Box 5702

Bloomington, In, 47407