Program Note:

Rooftop is a fixed media composition inspired by acrophobia, the fear of heights. The piece explores the emotional landscape of someone trapped on the edge of a rooftop, where fear intensifies and lingers. I created and manipulated a variety of sound sources including birdsong, tablet sheets, paper, and classical guitar strings to evoke this experience.

The narrative draws from personal reflection and sonic experimentation. My pet canary’s song played a central role in shaping the piece; I was especially influenced by certain recurring motifs in his vocalizations. As a guitarist, the instrument naturally became part of my creative language, guiding the piece’s emotional trajectory and textural development.