Compositions
Below is a sample of my compositions ranging from orchestrated chamber works to pop music. For permissions and sheet music, please get in touch using the contact button above. ~Liz
August (2023)
Written for flute doubling alto flute, bassoon, voice, piano, two violins, and cello.
Premiered November 16th, 2023 in Edward M. Pickman Hall at Longy School of Music of Bard College with Ambrose Philipek, violin; Tuan Nguyen, violin; Caroline Wolfe, soprano and piano; Xiaochang Tang, cello; Thomas Conrad, flute and alto flute; Liza Knight, bassoon.
"August" is an original composition based on a very specific feeling I've had in the month of August. It's often a time of moving and big changes; leaving a chapter of your life and starting a new one, or simply leaving summer behind and entering a new season. With every new beginning, one questions what to take and what to leave behind.
Appalachian Ostinato (2023)
Written for piano in 2020 and arranged for piano, flute, violin, and viola in 2023.
Premiered May 9th, 2023 in Pickman Hall at Longy School of Music of Bard College with Ambrose Philipek, violin; Simone Cartales, viola; DeShaun Gordon-King, flute; Liz Derstine, piano.
“Appalachian Ostinato” is an original composition based on a melody that was floating around in my head on repeat during my record-setting northbound hike of the Appalachian Trail. Ostinato is a musical term meaning a continually repeated phrase or rhythm. It also derives from an Italian word for "stubborn" which is fitting–despite the many physical and mental obstacles that came with hiking a long distance trail, I stubbornly kept walking and did eventually reach Katahdin, the northern terminus of the AT
It’s A Shame (2017)
Melody and lyrics by Liz Derstine, instrumentation and production by RAC.
Debuted on the music album EGO by RAC (2017), featured in Netflix’s Wednesday season 1 episode 4 “Woe What a Night” (2022).
Radio War (2017)
Debuted on the Spring EP (2017) under the artist moniker Pink Feathers.
“Radio War” is my commentary on social media influencer culture. It’s one of the more dissonant pieces I’ve written featuring a bunch of cluster chords on piano and living in the mixolydian realm.
It’s no longer enough creating tales to tale
We are playing a role, persuaded to sell
We’re in a war, the radio war
With the millionth voice, I’m screaming.. for what?
”Give a little bit more.” I’m giving more!
We’re in a war, the radio war
Mind your hair, mind your shoes
Mind that you don’t ever lose
Kiss the feet and get the perks
And find a way to make it work
Ghosts (2014)
Debuted on the Invisible Lines EP (2014) under the artist moniker Pink Feathers and featured on MTV’s Awkward season 5, episode 8 “An Indecent Promposal” (2015).
“Ghosts” is about a sort of awakening I had to my own privilege and the invisible lines drawn in our society even though we don’t always talk about or acknowledge them.
I saw a man walk through the shadows
And I followed him ‘cause I didn’t know any better
I was so sure in my revelation
That I’d lead the way with my petty little bout of courage
It took me far too long to figure how
Invisible lines have been long drawn out
Who’s side are you on? Decide for yourself
I ventured on to be brave and bold and understanding
All I gained was the offer of an arm
And he said, “ooh, ooh”
What was I proving? How could I even understand
I shied away without a shred of courage
I didn’t even know just how
The lines had been long drawn out
They’re ghosts, you see
They carry on and on
How long?