Friesz makes history with composition, performance

Amid an impressive compilation of pieces performed by Buffalo High School orchestra students at their winter concert, one made history. 

For the first time, the Concert Orchestra performed a song composed by one of its own members.

Senior cellist Mitchell Friesz’s four-minute “Chasing the Unknown” was a highlight of the evening. Featuring a memorable melody line combined with layers of satisfying harmonies – as well as a generous distribution of feature moments to each instrumental group – the piece held its own in a program otherwise populated by the works of professional composers.

“All of us were not only very impressed with what Mitchell created, but we also all thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the musicality that was a part of his composition,” said BHS orchestra director Kristine Wiese. “I was so impressed with his unique attention to detail, from the driving rhythms to the emotional transition the piece experienced throughout.”

Aside from one time his mother had listened to an electronic mix of the composition long before, Friesz’s family also heard the piece for the first time during the concert.

“My dad had never heard it. My sister had never heard it either. So it was kind of a grand introduction for them as to what it sounded like,” Friesz said. “My mom probably didn’t even remember what it sounded like from the one time I showed her the recording. And to hear it in full orchestra vs. a recording, it makes a big difference. So it was a really special moment.”

Becoming a composer
Friesz is one of Buffalo High School’s Triple ‘A’ Award winners this year, a recognition of his outstanding performance in academics, arts and activities. His interest in composing was piqued at an early age, when Erin Walsh, his teacher in the Bravo Strings program at Montrose Elementary School of Innovation, wrote a quartet for Friesz and his friends to play. 

“That kind of sparked it,” Friesz said. “She wrote it specifically for us to play, so it was really special and a really cool opportunity for us. Very shortly after that is when I started piecing my own melodies together.”

Walsh said she was struck by Friesz’s focus, even at an elementary level, and added that her incorporation of original material had multiple intended purposes.

“I often wrote original tunes and pieces for the Bravo Strings students, to teach a new skill or to bring some fun to learning, but also to ‘normalize’ inventing new musical ideas and writing them down,” Walsh said. “Since composing has always been a great joy for me, now it delights me that Mitchell is finding that same joy himself. It’s fun to talk about composition with him; it’s like sharing an uncommon language. He is an excellent performer on his cello, but he has taken a literally ‘deeper dive’ into music by creating his own.”

Gaining support
Friesz’s musical creations took more complete form after he learned about the Noteflight music notation software that BHS band students were using to create simple compositions.

“It’s really neat,” said Friesz. “You have blank measures and you can click to place different kinds of notes where you want and for how long. You can add dynamics, tempo changes, different time signatures, key signatures, everything, and build up a piece from just a blank score. Now that I’ve learned how to use it, it really helps because it’s easier for me to do it on there than to handwrite a score every time.”

Now his senior year, Friesz has composed more than half a dozen pieces. When he asked Ms. Wiese if one of the BHS orchestra ensembles might be able to perform one, Wiese’s polite initial reception – having never brought a student-composed work to a performance before – soon grew to genuine enthusiasm.

“I was pleasantly surprised when Mitchell first approached me in the fall. I knew he was composing, but I didn’t realize how committed he was,” said Wiese. “I was immediately surprised and excited when he first shared the piece with me - I knew it was going to be a hit for everyone!”

Playing a piece composed by one of their peers was a new frontier for the other orchestra members, but they were soon won over as well.

“After we played the piece for the first time, everyone was totally all in,” Wiese said.

Preparations and performance
While Friesz does not play the other orchestra instruments, like violin, viola or bass, he was familiar enough with their characteristics and strengths to develop appropriate parts. Walsh also provided helpful suggestions during the writing process.

“The goal was to make sure every part felt important,” Friesz said. “That was what drove a lot of my decisions as far as how to harmonize things and make the melody. I think everybody enjoyed it, so that made me happy.”

“Rehearsing was lots of fun, not only because the students thoroughly enjoyed the piece, but because there was a different sense of dedication during our rehearsals – the composer was in the room!” said Wiese. “I would ask Mitchell if the way we played a certain part was what he envisioned; other times Mitchell would stop us and clarify what he wanted.”

The preparation culminated in the Jan. 27 performance and premier of “Chasing the Unknown.”

“Doing it in front of a crowd of people, not just my peers anymore but parents who came to watch their kids, and other people were just there to see the concert – playing it for them was really cool,” said Friesz. “And to hear it being played live was really fun, because all my other pieces – except the ones I’ve done on piano – I can’t hear them live. So it’s just super cool to hear, and not only hearing it but being a part of it too was really special.”

Friesz plans to attend Gustavus Adolphus College next fall to major in biochemistry or molecular biology and minor in music composition. One future goal is to write a symphony, a piece that combines string, wind and percussion instruments.

“I have had the honor of being Mitchell’s orchestra teacher at BHS for four years now,” said Wiese. “While I fully experienced the musicality of the piece alongside him and the class, my enjoyment was driven more by how proud I was of him. It has been an honor and a privilege to see Mitchell grow into the young man he is today and to witness the important role music has played in his life. … As teachers, our job is to educate and mentor our students. But to have a student teach me so much in return is a blessing.”

•    To watch the recording of “Chasing the Unknown,” go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1b3c8pXTNg. The song begins at the 46:40 mark.