Elderflora: MAJEL CONNERY + FELIX FAN

Carlin Ma

ELDERFLORA is a song cycle on the lifecycle of a tree, told from the tree’s perspective. Written and performed by Majel Connery (vocals, synths) with Felix Fan (cello). Performances can be concert-only, or lecture-demo style with spoken interpolations by Connery on creative process and composition. Elderflora can also be presented as a solo show in lecture-demo style. Additional elements:

  • Optional video installation: Comes with cue sheet and 10 downloadable videos. Must be loaded into a program and run separately.

  • Printed lyrics

Bios:

Majel Connery is a composer, performer, podcaster and musicologist. Her voice has been called “superb” by the New York Times and her music “thoroughly Schubertian” by the Wall Street Journal. She has appeared on Radiolab, Kennedy Center Live, and New Sounds radio. Connery is the host and producer of A Music of Their Own, an interview podcast on women in music on NPR. Connery has taught at UC Berkeley, Stanford and Princeton, and is currently working with Musicambia teaching songwriting in prisons.

Felix Fan has performed with Yo-Yo Ma, Gil Shaham and Janos Starker in venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Musikverein and Royal Festival Hall. Fan's interest in contemporary music has led to collaborations with today's leading composers including George Crumb, Tan Dun, Hans Werner Henze, Oliver Knussen, Kaija Saariaho and Charles Wuorinen. He appears frequently as a solo artist and with FLUX Quartet.

Hi-RES images

 Technical requirements (stage plot/rider here):

Show duration: 70 minutes

1-hour minimum load in/soundcheck. We appreciate parking passes where needed, access to green room & water and meals.

Mix notes: Big goddess vocals on top. Everything else underneath. Subs are nice. A bit of compression on the voice goes a long way, as there are extremes of dynamic range.

Input list (4 total):

  • Majel: synth rig with 2 synths, FX pedals and 3 built-in DI with 3 XLR out (1 lead vox + FX, 1 both synths, 1 backing drums)

  • Felix: 1/4-in out (cello)

We bring:

  • Majel: Beta 58a mic, TC Helicon VoiceLive Touch 2, Yamaha Reface DX, Korg Minilogue, FX pedals, 3 built-in DIs

  • Felix: cello, lav mic, delay pedal, mixer with phantom

We need:

  • PA

  • 2 monitors

  • keyboard stand

  • mic stand w/ boom

  • music stand

  • chair or stool (Felix)

  • carpet strip (for cello pin, Felix)

  • DI if necessary for Felix

  • power, extension cords, XLRs