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Heather Niemi Savage

highly introspective new music that invites listeners to ponder deeply

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What kind of new music performer are you?

Take the quiz to find out!

There are no wrong answers!

As a composer of new classical music, I know there is a lot of different styles of new music out there. “Contemporary Classical Music” doesn’t have just one definition.

And it does not just have one type of performer.

I thought about the new music I hear and the people I know who perform it and was able to group performers into five basic types. And they are all important to the new music ecosystem!

This is why I created the quiz, and why I will share all the descriptions with you. So, you can understand your own approach to new music better, but also to get an insight into the other personalities.

What Kind of New Music Performer Are You?

Discover your artistic instincts, musical values, and the role you naturally play in the world of contemporary music.

Question 1 of 11 9%

1. What is your opinion of J.S. Bach?

His music isn’t relevant anymore. Why are we still using his music as the foundation for today’s theory of western harmony? I love Bach’s music, but music has many more influences now and theory needs to branch out. I highly respect Bach. He wrote amazing music that we still listen to today. Bach rightly holds the space of being the foundation for western harmonic studies.

2. What is your opinion of John Cage?

He was an amazing innovator and out-of-the-box thinker. I love that John Cage started a whole new genre of music called prepared piano. Like him or hate him, no one can deny that John Cage has impacted music forever. 4’33” is not music.

3. What is your opinion of Arnold Schoenberg?

I wish I had invented my own system of writing music. Without Schoenberg, we wouldn’t have the movie soundtracks we have today. Schoenberg broke open the box of tonality which allowed for many new avenues of musical expression. I don’t like his music. It is too angular and I can’t find the melody.

4. What is your opinion of jazz and rock?

Free improvisation is the way to go! Classical music should incorporate elements of jazz and rock because it makes it more relevant to today’s audiences. I like the way Debussy incorporated elements of jazz into his music. Classical music, jazz and rock simply all need to stay in their own lanes.

5. What do you think was Beethoven’s greatest impact?

His late string quartets, hands down. His ability to create a “hook” and carry it all the way through a piece. His personal story of perseverance, resilience and overcoming, and how it was expressed in his music. The way he singlehandedly bridged the gap between the Classical and Romantic periods.

6. What is your favorite Stravinsky piece?

The Rite of Spring. It caused a scandal, you know, and all attention is good attention. The Rite of Spring. The driving rhythms are so catchy! The Rite of Spring. I love how it brought ancient folklore into the modern day. The Rite of Spring is the only Stravinsky I know.

7. What do you believe is the most important aspect of music?

Harmony. It sets the atmosphere. Rhythm. We need a groove to connect to. Form. It’s what separates music from noise. Melody. It’s important to be able to sing along to music.

8. What makes you most excited about performing new music?

I get to be an authority and set the standard for interpretation of new music. I want to influence the future direction of music. I could go down in history as a primary supporter and promoter of a composer. I like to find the common threads that connect today’s music to music of the past.

9. How do you feel about non-traditional notation?

Traditional notation is only one possible way to communicate music. I am waiting to see how frequently it’s used. I see the use for it. If my favorite composers ask for it, I know they have a reason. It’s confusing and not necessary. I won’t play music that uses it.

10. How do you feel about electronic music?

I love using live electronics in my performances. It’s so sci-fi. I think it’s great because it bends genres. I see the use for it. I’m comfortable enough with using fixed media while performing. I am so not techy and can’t make my way around it. Why do we even need it?

11. How do you feel about extended techniques?

They are an absolute must. They are the way forward in music. They are fun! I see the use for them. I am comfortable with using a few. I have pet names for that type of music and divide it by category: plink-plonk, scratch-and-dent, quack-and-cluck, and squawk-and-screech.

Your Artistic Profile Is Ready

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