Nay's News May 2025
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Yay, it’s May. I love Spring so much! All the flowers take turns putting on little shows for us. I hope this message finds you doing well and savoring the beauty!
This past week, a friend with a terminal form of cancer told me that my Lucente Skye songs are supporting him through this difficult battle, and that he listens to to them often. It’s stories like this that make my commitment to being an artist 100% worth it. If my music is helpful to you, please let me know!
My newest Lucente Skye song, released last month, is called “Kiwanda Crest," and I hope you’ve been enjoying it.
Coming out this month on May 16, “Three Sisters”. It’s the 8th song from the Oregon Landscapes album by Lucente Skye, with gorgeous artwork by Oregonian painter Lindsay Gilmore. It's gentle and a little playful, a waltz in 3, and leaning just a bit jazzy. Check out this Patreon post to listen now, download the track, and learn the story behind the composition.
“Three Sisters” (artwork by Lindsay Gilmore)
All my songs are available on streaming music platforms, and there are physical CDs available in my shop for those of you that are like me and still collect CDs!
Speaking of streaming music platforms… I have recently switched my personal subscription from Spotify to Tidal. For many reasons, but mostly because Spotify allows AI-generated music and prioritizes music from stock filler-music companies for many of their large instrumental music playlists. The implications of what this means for independent artists and music in general really doesn’t sit well with me. To read more about this (and maybe consider switching yourself!), check out this FREE Patreon post. My music will still be available on all the platforms - but my listening will be all Tidal now!
Commission consortium opportunity
My friends at Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus invite choruses to join a consortium of choirs to commission a new TTBB/Piano arrangement of my choral score “Love is Love (The Christmas Eve Song).” Participating in this effort allows choruses to premiere this new arrangement in their communities at a fraction of the price of commissioning individually. The score will be delivered in PDF format by August 1, 2025. Participating ensembles will have exclusive rights to premiere the piece through December 31, 2025. Contact me if you are interested in joining, and I will connect you to the consortium!
“Love is Love (The Christmas Eve Song)” is a song about the beauty and joy of the holiday season, and a reminder to share love with refugees and the houseless. Poetry and original melody by Beth Wood. Listen to our original duet recording in the video below.
UPCOMING SHOWS
May 3 & 4, 4pm
Oregon Repertory Singers - Heavens Full of Stars
Featuring the music of Ěriks Ešenvalds and “Sunrise” - MY NEW SCORE (see below)!
First United Methodist Church in Portland, OR
May 13, 6:30pm
Oregon Symphony Lullaby Project Concert
A heartwarming community concert showcasing the new lullabies from this year’s Lullaby Project! In partnership with Oregon Symphony musicians and local singer-songwriters, parents and parents-to-be from Path Home and the Family Preservation Project of YWCA have created personal lullabies for their children, expressing their hopes and dreams for the future.
Alberta Rose Theatre in Portland, OR
NEW CHORAL SCORE
I’m thrilled to share a brand new SATB/piano choral score of “Sunrise,” a song I originally released as a solo singer-songwriter, commissioned by the Oregon Repertory Singers! Come hear its official premiere performance with this weekend (see above). “Sunrise” is a song I wrote for my mom, and it’s about the joy of connection found in appreciating natural beauty with someone you love. PREVIEW THE SCORE.
Interested in commissioning a new piece or new arrangement? I'd love to hear from you... let's collaborate!
Recent Highlights
What a pleasant surprise to discover last month that my SATB/piano score “Racing The Moon” is a finalist for The American Prize in Composition - shorter choral works (professional division), 2025. The American Prize will be announcing winners in my division soon. Whether my piece wins or not, I feel so grateful to be included in such company as the other composers and pieces in the list of finalists.
The joy of Spring has me reflecting on how grateful I am for this life centered around music. I love finding ways to create beauty, share joy and sorrow, and remember our interconnectedness. Thank you for continuing to encourage and support me in this creative journey!
Your friend,
Naomi (Nay)
P.S. – just had to share this photo I snapped of the Camassia blooming on a hike near my home. I’ve been reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (LOVE!) and feeling so connected to all the plants.
