In the summer of 2022 I spent a month developing new music for the 1968 Holtkamp pipe organ in the Mills College Chapel in Oakland, California. I timed this residency for June of that year so that I could document the sound and tuning quirks of that instrument as well as the stunning wooden and glass structure that houses it during the final weeks before Mills College officially became part of Northeastern University. Although the campus and the Chapel are still there, the distinguished 150 year history of the Mills Music Department effectively came to an end that summer.
My time with the Mills organ resulted in two durational compositions, one of which I have re-worked here as the Cypress Suite. In keeping with the collaborative spirit of Mills Music, the original solo organ composition has been expanded into a small ensemble piece, featuring two fellow Mills alumnae – pianist Marielle Jakobsons and vocalist Kristine Barrett – as well as composer and improvisor Patrick Shiroishi on reeds.