Extinction, when all members of a species die, is a failure to adapt to changes in environment. These changes in environment may come about from the introduction of other species, ecological disasters, and other environmental changes that the species fails to adapt to, often human caused. This work explores a sonic story of extinction (in a day? over years? over decades?), focusing on one of the most researched and sonically potent animals: birds. This work is in five movements, each attacca:
0. Overture
I. Dawn Chorus
II. Contact Calls
III. The Incident
IV. Last of Species
V. Dusk Chorus
This piece was expressly composed for pianist Adam Zukiewicz. Special thanks to evoluonary ecologist Jason Gleditsch for informing this work: his explanations and resources were invaluable in its creation. The composion and workshopping of this work was supported by a 2025 Grant-in-Aid Grant from Oberlin College.
