If January was about the magic of a winter fairytale, February was a testament to the sheer will of a creator.
This month, my symphonic piece "Noa" was performed at the Slovenian Philharmonic in Ljubljana as part of the Slovenski skladatelji mladim concert series, conducted by Simon Dvoršak. It was a monumental milestone, but the story of how that score came to be is one I haven’t shared until now.
The "Mama Brain" Challenge
I received the invitation to write this piece in June, just days after giving birth. In the haze of the summer heat and "mama brain," I was so honored that I immediately said yes. I didn't yet realize how much my creative process was about to change.
Normally, my ideas are born on long walks where I sing melodies to myself in the open air. But as a new mother, those long walks were replaced by the immediate needs of a baby. With my husband doing his absolute best to support me, I had to find a new way to work. Writing a 12-minute piece for a full symphonic orchestra while mostly alone with a newborn was, quite frankly, a miracle.
Technical Hurdles and Quiet Victories
The universe seemed to test my resolve at every turn:
• The Score: I had to compose fast, often in the tiny windows of silence between my son's cries.
• The Computer: My laptop, unused since the birth, decided its battery was finished exactly when I needed to transcribe my handwritten sketches.
• The Software: To top it off, my notation license expired, forcing me to navigate tech support and new purchases while exhausted.
I had to turn the final score in by October. In those rare moments when I could find a small space for myself to write, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness and contentment. It was my anchor.
The Performance
Seeing the piece come to life under Simon Dvoršak’s baton was emotional. A highlight was the interactive element where the conductor invited the audience in—watching the children participate turned the hall into a space of pure joy.
I know there is always room for improvement, but I am deeply proud that I managed to do it. "Noa" is proof that even when the battery dies and the baby cries, the music finds a way out.