…to me from the earth…a new musical composition for soprano and ensemble by D. J. Sparr is inspired by the exhibition White Gold by Thomas Sayre and Mi Historia, a poem by David Dominguez. Spatially performed in the White Gold exhibition at CAM Raleigh. Produced by CAM Raleigh in collaboration with the North Carolina Symphony and New Music Raleigh featuring vocalist Aundi Marie Moore.

Composer and electric guitar soloist D. J. SPARR (b. 1975, Westminster, MD) is one of the preeminent composer-performers of his generation. His eclectic composition style has been described as “pop-Romantic… iridescent and wondrous” (Mercury News) and “suits the boundary erasing spirit of today’s new-music world” (New York Times). In 2011, Sparr was named one of NPR listener’s favorite 100 composers under the age 40. D. J. was the Young American Composer-in-Residence with the California Symphony from 2011-14 and was Composer-in-Residence with the Richmond Symphony from 2009-11. His compositions have been commissioned and performed by organizations such as the Houston Grand Opera, North Carolina Opera, and Eighth Blackbird. Recent/upcoming works include APPROACHING ALI (Washington National Opera), KATRINA: CONCERTO FOR JAZZ GUITAR AND ORCHESTRA (Arkansas Symphony), & ON BEHALF: A METAPHOR (Tribeca New Music Festival). Hailing from Baltimore, D. J. currently lives in the mystical high plains of the Wild West with his wife Kimberly and their dogs Lloyd and Nanette. More info at www.djsparr.com