From the Top

From the Top showcases Sputter Box’s music theater works. Their debut concert in 2018 featured Georges Aperghis’ Sept Crimes de l’Amour, serving as the catalyst for the ensemble’s interdisciplinary work. Through collaborations with composers Brendan Sweeney and Julia Moss, with choreography assistance from Chris Murrah, Sputter Box expanded their music theater repertoire. Operating Room by Aaron Israel Levin rounds out the program as an arrangement of a theatrical work originally for alto saxophone, voice, and percussion, and Bethany Younge’s Doublespeak opens the concert with a phonetic dissection of language.

This program is best for venues that can provide large percussion equipment.

Sample Program and Recordings

Doublespeak (2014) Bethany Younge // 5 minutes

Sept Crimes de l’Amour (1979) Georges Aperghis // 8 minutes

Operating Room (arr. 2024) Aaron Israel Levin // 10 minutes

Growing Pains (2024) Julia Moss // 10 minutes

Séance Serenade (2021) Brendan Sweeney // 9 minutes

Total: 42 minutes of music

This program may be revised in collaboration with Sputter Box and the presenter.

Touring and Tech

A chamber music concert with six separate works for clarinet/bass clarinet, soprano voice, and percussion, with a team of 3 musicians

Length: 70 minutes with intermission

Preferred venue: recital hall or concert hall

Tech and production rider is available upon request