Author

Natalie MerrillFollow

Reborn: The Documentation and Processes of a Fusion Project

Publication Date

Spring 5-4-2022

Abstract

Many musicians aim to create something new, fresh, unprecedented, unpredictable. They seek uniqueness, attempting to create a sound that will be traced back to their work as music history progresses. As they work to find their distinct voices, musicians spend years trying to find their right sound, hoping it will leave a legacy of music tied to their original creativity. Composition, when based on various musical influences, is an incredible tool for the musician because it can bring together styles – and more importantly, people and cultures – from all over the world. The chapters of this paper tell the story of five original fusion pieces from beginning to end, including their inspiration, composition, recording process, completion, and featured personnel on each recording. It documents the important theoretical details and historical influences of each work, painting a complete picture of each piece’s compositional development.

Major Mentor

Bruce Dudley

Second Mentor

Jeffrey Kirk

Third Mentor

Kathryn Paradise

Department

Music, School of

College

Music and Performing Arts, College of

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Music (MM)

Degree Level

Master's

Degree Grantor

Belmont University

Recommended Citation

Merrill, Natalie, "Reborn: The Documentation and Processes of a Fusion Project" (2022). Composition/Recording Projects. 6.
https://repository.belmont.edu/music_comp/6