Projects

Currently Seeking

• Arrangements, transcriptions, or reimagined classical melodies inspired by cultures along the Silk Road, including, but not solely limited to:

  • Imperial China

  • Iranian/Turkic Peoples

  • Kushan Empire and the Indian Subcontinent

  • Parthian and Sasanian Empires (Persia)

  • Roman and Byzantine Empires

• New works that capture the spirit of the duo's aim.*

  • Bassoon and sheng

  • Bassoon, sheng, +  live electronics or fixed media

  • Bassoon, sheng, +  immersive experience(s)

  • Bassoon, sheng, +  lighting, multimedia, projected video, or other such experience

  • Bassoon, sheng, +  audience participation/mixed-sensory interactions

  • Bassoon, sheng, +  other means of technology-driven musics

• New works in settings for expanded instrumentations. Consult with the duo to ensure collaborators are available before proceeding.

  • Bassoon, sheng, + Chinese traditional instruments

  • Bassoon, sheng, + instruments from cultures along the Silk Road

  • Bassoon, sheng, + other Western instrument(s)

Sheng

• 36 key gaoyin sheng (高音笙)/ reformed sheng.

• Breathing and playing techniques can be found here, and fingering charts can be found here.

• Polyphony and chords are encouraged as long as the keys can be reached. Please contact Alexander Strader for questions.

Bassoon

• Heckel System (German) bassoon.

• For multiphonics, use "Contemporary Techniques for the Bassoon: Multiphonics" by Jamie Leigh Sampson.

• For extended techniques, please contact Aaron Pergram for a discussion. 

*Alex can also play the clarinet/bass clarinet. However, we are not accepting bassoon and clarinet duos. We will accept compositions where Alex plays the sheng AND clarinet/bass clarinet. The parts must be written for one performer on bassoon and one performer on sheng + clarinet and/or bass clarinet.