Past Projects

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MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO LANGSTON HUGHES

On Saturday, February 1, 2003 David Heckendorn, together with an ensemble of
four musicians and two actors, performed “Rivers”. New York Grammy fest 2003
in conjunction with the Queens Borough Public Library commissioned Mr.
Heckendorn to composed a musical presentation inspired by eight Langston Hughes
poems. The orchestral version of this composition had received its world premiere
in 1996. 

Performances of this work have been conducted at area public schools with
great success:  “On April 8th, David Heckendorn, accompanied by three
professional musicians and two professional actors, performed a tone poem entitled
‘Rivers’ for the Core and AP Core classes of the Wheatley School. Marty Winik, an
11th greader in the audience, commented, ‘Mr. Heckendorn’s performance of
‘Rivers’ helped me to understand the atmosphere of the Harlem Renaissance and the
1920s’. After the performance, Wheatley students and faculty asked questions
about the tone poem and its organization. Tanesha Gary, one of the vocalists,
described David Heckendorn as a ‘creative genius’.
David Gorski, The Wheatley Wildcat



NATURE’S UNIVERSAL THRONE

As we enter the dawn of a new millennium in this our so highly technological,
computer-generated, video-oriented world, we move ever further from a life
connected to and dependent upon Nature in all her glory, fury, and wonder. As a
world, as a nation, as individual pieces of a grand puzzle, each of us must
search for his or her own meaningful reality. For me  solace, faith, hope and joy
come in thoughts and feelings reflected so well in the words of the great
poetic masters of the 18th and 19th century. Lord Byron, John Keats, Rudyard
Kipling all expressed in such musical ways the beauty, the mystery, the grandeur of
nature. Their works elevate and ennoble the human spirit, providing for me and
those who will listen, a reminder of a gentler humanity and the inspiration
for deeper relection, understanding and appreciation of God’s world.

“Every year Breckenridge locals and visitors anticipate an evening of music
at the Riverwalk Center before the town’s Fourth of July fireworks. This year
the whole country will get to see Breckenridge and the fireworks might just be
the calm after the storm.  The fireworks will begin in the form of a musical
assault on the senses at 8:30 when the National Repertory Orchestra in
conjunction with the Summit County Arts Council present the premiere of “Nature’s
Universal Throne,” by composer David Heckendorn. The event will be simulcast on
the Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting System.

Continental Harmony is the first 50-state music commissioning project in U.S.
history. As such it will be documented by the Library of Congress and has
been designated an Offical White House Millennium Council Associate Partner. The
Summit County Arts Council commissioned Heckendorn of Long Island, NY to
create a musical work that would reflect the spirit of Summit County and the
celebraion of Colorado.”  
Rachel Pokrandt, The Summit News

This twenty minute orchestral work with full chorus received its premiere in
2000 but has not yet been recorded. In the summer of 2002 I reorchestrated the
work for chamber orchestra and look forward to recording this work in the near
future.


ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL CONCERT

“The Chamber Music of David Heckendorn” took place at the Cathedral of
Saint Patrick, the Lady Chapel, at 2:30 PM on Sunday, October 29, 2000 as
part of the Cathedral’s Chamber Music Series.  The concert was a well-rehearsed
performance of exceptional beautiful chamber music. The pieces were varied and
well ordered, conducted by the composer, and Mr. Heckendorn’s collaboration
with soprano Katherine Desinger, violinist Leonid Levin, and dramatic speaker
Robert Brandt created an artistic union that could easily hold its own with any
world class chamber group”.

“Thematically, Mr. Heckendorn’s concert was about communication: how we
communicate with those around us, with our loved ones, with our world, with our
God, with everything.  The motif of communication was paramount in virtually
every aspect of the performance, from the composer’s warm addresses to the
audience, introducing the pieces, to the collegial rapport between the composer and
his musicians. Rarely have I seen classical musicians who smiled, even as they
played, responding quickly and confidently to the most subtle of Mr.
Heckendorn’s conducting gestures. The result, ultimately, was a highly enjoyable
concert, allowing the audience to walk away satisfied, if not even powerfully moved
by the music”.
Rick Wilson, EWTA United 


THE BUTTERFLY AND THE MOTH

This composition has a delightful story that is narrated as it unfolds. It
has been arranged for a chamber ensemble and symphony orchestra. It is very
accessible to musicians and dancers of the high school age and the audience appeal
includes all.

“An original poem by David Heckendorn inspired the author to compose an
original score for a twenty minute dance piece. His daughter, Elizabeth Heckendorn
(ballet instructor at the Hudson Ballet Conservatory) choreographed the work
and presented it as part of a spring concert program at the Wheatley School on
June 2, 2003.  The music generated a very intelligent choreographed ballet and
reflected the words of this clever children’s story. The audience was treated
to a unique, exciting, and entertaining musical/dance experience by this
father/daughter team.  We can only hope for more from this duo.”
Harold Koop,  “Words From Beyond”


EVERGLADES SYMPHONY

The Young Citizens’ Conservation Corps commissioned David Heckendorn to
compose and perform his Everglades Symphony in Florida to help the people of
Florida to learn of the history, biology and ecology of the greater Everglades
ecosystem. 

As written in the Herald News, Florida by staff writer Johnny Diaz “David
Heckendorn composed a work based on students’ impressions of the Everglades. He
then led those students in music and dance Thursday morning at the Broward
Center for the Performing Arts before about 1,600 classmates. “Beautiful,” said
12 year old Ashley Guyer, a dancer from parkway middle School, as she peeked
behind the flowing curtains backstage and watched as Heckendorn directed the
young performers in three compositions.”

"I conducted the Symphony of the Americas (James Brooks-Bruzzese, Artistic
Director) augmented by members of local student groups for two performances in
two different years.  The piece was was very well received by orchestral members
and audience alike.  I enjoy doing composer residencies. I have the
opportunity of meeting people who are interested in hearing new works of music and
meeting the composer who makes it happen. I visit the schools and local community
centers to discuss my work and the intention of the commissioned piece."
David Heckendorn


THE MEADOW LARK

Residency activities featured: Chaired by Kathy Sees, the 25th Cedarhurst Chamber Music anniversary committee has planned a series of residency activities as part of the jubilee. Beginning February 17, David Heckendorn will present several programs for students at Mr. Vernon K-3, Mr. Vernon Twp. High School and Kaskaskia Community College. The lineup includes informal programs about composition, master classes and a choral festival/workshop. In addition to a presentation for Mr. Vernon rotary Club, Heckendorn will also take part in media interviews.

Formed in 1994, the Pacifica Quartet soon captured three of chamber music’s most important international awards: Grand Prize at the 1996 Coleman Chamber Music Competition, top prize at the 1997 concert artists Guild Competition and 1998 Naumburg Chamber music award. The February 21 concert featured the Cedarhurst Choral Project with the Pacifica Quartet in the premiere of “The Meadow Lark”. This composition by Mr. Heckendorn for Chorus and String Quartet was commissioned by Cedarhurst Museum in observance of the 25th anniversary of the Cedarhurst Chamber Music Series in response to the 1895 poem of the same name by Illinois poet Ernest McGaffey.