New Music Concert features current and past CSC students

“This music was created by someone else in your community, right here, and you have the opportunity to not only support the creation but also to be one of the very first people to experience this new music,” Larson said.

Charging Thunder of Gordon, Nebraska, will have two pieces featured in the concert. Larson, a recent graduate from Alliance, Nebraska, also has two pieces featured in the concert.

Charging Thunder’s piece, Enchantment, will feature CSC Accompanist Maria Menendez on the piano and Wyatt Ellis on the saxophone. The composition illustrates a love story personified by the piano and saxophone having a conversation throughout the piece.

Charging Thunder’s second piece, Yellow Lit Nights, was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s painting Cafe Terrace at Night. She wanted to portray how the atmosphere inside the cafe differs from outside the cafe. Charging Thunder will play the clarinet for this piece and Menendez will accompany on the piano.

Charging Thunder said the process of composing is different for everyone.

“I get an idea, concept, or feeling that I want to portray, whether that means creating music for a video game or writing pieces like the ones that will be performed in the concert, and I go with what feels nice in the moment. You have to have a purpose for the type of music you are writing before you start,” Charging Thunder said.

Charging Thunder strives to make her music and its story relatable to as many people as possible.

“There is a lot of music theory that goes into composing. You have to ask yourself, ‘how do I want the audience to feel and what kind of sounds can I incorporate to make it happy, sad, or even whimsical,’” Charging Thunder said.

Similar to writer’s block, Charging Thunder has experienced artist’s block multiple times while trying to compose music. She said it is important to find a healthy balance between work and creativity. She said it's essential to take breaks and seek out potential sources of inspiration.

After graduating from CSC, Charging Thunder wants to stay in the world of music and write for movie soundtracks and video games, teach private lessons, and practice instrument repair.

Charging Thunder hopes that the audience will be inspired by her work and realize that taking risks can have positive outcomes.

“This experience has been totally new to me. I was nervous at first, but writing my own music has helped me learn how to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. This concert is simply giving me an opportunity to show everyone what I can do,” Charging Thunder said. “I am excited and proud of myself that I have become a writer and composer in addition to a student and performer.”

Charging Thunder thanked Dr. Michael Stephens, who will also perform in the concert, for the time he has taken mentoring her.

Larson also shared her gratitude for the opportunities Stephens provided. 

Larson will have two pieces featured in the concert. Prairie Winds was written to capture the sounds, feelings, and movements of the wind while interacting with landscapes similar to Chadron. The second piece, Mortality, reflects the mental and emotional responses to understanding death. Larson will play the alto saxophone and Menendez will play the piano.

Larson explained her composing experience comes from music she hears internally.

“I attach the way I am feeling during a certain moment to music in my head and record myself humming on my phone. There are moments when the music takes you away, willingly or not. I have fallen in love with this technique and writing style,” Larson said.

Larson cares deeply about her music and wants the audience to be able to feel the emotion of her pieces during the performance.

“I hope the audience enjoys my music. I love when people can connect to the piece emotionally or are able to relate to the story the music was created to put them in. I would love if my music could inspire or influence people into experiencing the emotion and entertainment that music can bring,” Larson said.

Larson hopes her future involves music as she wishes to write for movies and television. She would also like to compose music for her own band.

“I would love to make a life out of composition and creating music,” Larson said.