Markov's Thesaurus

Score (.pdf)
Performance Notes (.pdf)

Markov's Thesaurus was written with Juxtavoices (see biography) in mind as a framework of words for us to sing within a strict structure. The structure of the piece is based on a Markov chain*, decision tree or 'drunkard's walk' through a thesaurus. Starting together on 'Song', each move through the score splits the word into two synonyms, taking the ensemble further and further away from the original word. To give the piece a symmetrical structure, I eventually bring the ensemble back to the original word: 'Song'. The performance notes were developed with the group and draw on the hallmarks of Juxtavoices' 'antichoir' practice.

* It probably doesn't meet a strict mathematical definition of a Markov chain.