The Rhizosphere

For about a decade, I have thought of composing as a form of sonic gardening. The processes are very similar in that I cultivate ecosystems of interrelated parts, whether in sound or in the soil. My interests in creating sonic ecosystems and in learning more about environmental issues motivated me to research soil health and the rhizosphere, the microbiome around a plant’s root system. As part of my dissertation project I composed a piece titled The Rhizosphere inspired by the processes and behaviors found in the rhizosphere for percussion sextet of about 8 minutes in duration. The piece explores the dynamic flux, temporal multiplicity, and interrelationships of this underground microbiome.

This piece was commissioned by and is dedicated to Simone Mancuso and the Arizona Contemporary Music Ensemble. The Rhizosphere was premiered on April 21, 2022.