Hi Philip, I’m excited to write this introduction, it might be silly to say but there have been so few instances in which I have been regarded as a composer leading up to now that it feels nice to meet you under that pretense alone. Composing for musical theatre has become my main passion since I believe in its power of activating social change wholeheartedly. Musical theatre can help people emotionally navigate their lives and be equipped to overcome so many of society’s challenges. I often think I speak better through the piano than through spoken words and want to get what’s in my heart out there for others to hear! So far, this is the beginning of what you might consider a career in musical theatre! I have been playing piano for over twelve years and performing in shows for just about as long (I think my interest in performing has shifted entirely to writing, though). I would love to venture from my more classical/jazz roots into electronic, R&B, hyperpop, and experimental styles as well. I have written songs for events and cabarets performed by myself and friends with wonderful voices, a number that fit into the beginning of the second act of my high school’s production of The K of D by Laura Schellhardt (my favorite section, entirely in 7/8 time, was cut from the performance), co-wrote a theatrical pop piece that was performed at UCLA’s Spring Sing, and have been in the process of writing my first full-length work about the intersections between social media and our dreams. I hope to make it my life’s work, and look forward to growing from the young composer I am (and understanding that growing never ends). -Xander : COMPLETED on 02/22/2022 (PASSED)

Man of The Hour: This was the first song that I wrote for NMI, at the time I was a composer-lyricist hyphenate (didn’t last very long!). The assignment was The Big Sick, and the song is an eleven o’clock number for Kumail to sing indirectly to Emily when her parents decide to transfer her despite it risking her life. The number transitions from the hospital directly to Kumail losing his marbles at his stand-up comedy set, hoping to get to Montreal and show himself as the man of the hour. Just before, Terry informs Kumail that they plan to move Emily, no matter what. Heart Of Mine: This character is about to leave for college, and in all her uncertainty looks toward the future. Just before the song begins, she throws away the things in her room that she doesn’t need anymore, and comes across a childhood relic. Let Her Live A Lie: In this climactic number, the character’s friends who he has continually lied to argue with him and push him to finally express his vulnerable truth that he was never interested in his former romantic partner in the first place. : COMPLETED on 02/22/2022 (PASSED)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ppa3o9GpBhrfVV1dpA-e_pdCxaA2n1lK?usp=sharing : COMPLETED on 02/22/2022 (PASSED)

I am choosing West Side Story because it was the second show I was ever in at seven years old— I was a Jet, doubling as Diesel and Gee-tar— and I love it so dearly. I haven’t listened closely to the score in years, though, since it was a childhood favorite that I know deeply and yet feel like I know not at all at the same time. With the added relevance of the new movie and recent Broadway revival, I find it fitting to dive into this score and I’m excited to get to know the score intimately, as well as make comparisons with Bernstein. I worked at Ravinia Festival as an usher while I was in high school and became obsessed with Bernstein through their summer programming that featured a plethora of tributes to Bernstein, including a production of Candide itself. Looking forward! : COMPLETED on 02/22/2022 (PASSED)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JB9LPuV7bzOciT9rR2jjzcsBXXYBoSRV?usp=sharing : COMPLETED on 02/23/2022 (PASSED)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1n2n3iDRd8_otGuVUXOHR9_byHjiRVTuN?usp=sharing : COMPLETED on 02/23/2022 (PASSED)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gzWe6N2X-3heU8sV2fcQ0v3zV5o4JXTs?usp=sharing : COMPLETED on 02/23/2022 (PASSED)

Meter in Lyrics : COMPLETED on 03/10/2022 (PASSED)

Lyric Analysis : COMPLETED on 03/10/2022 (PASSED)

Setting Lyrics: A Section : COMPLETED on 03/10/2022 (PASSED)

Setting Lyrics: Subsequent Sections : COMPLETED on 03/10/2022 (FAILED) Setting Lyrics: Subsequent Sections : PENDING SINCE 03/10/2022

Musical Modelling : COMPLETED on 03/13/2022 (PASSED)

Simple Setting : COMPLETED on 03/15/2022 (PASSED)

Creative Setting : COMPLETED on 03/20/2022 (FAILED)

Complex Setting : PENDING SINCE 03/14/2022

Musical Modeling : COMPLETED on 03/15/2022 (PASSED)

Dramatic Underscoring : PENDING SINCE 03/16/2022

Comedic Underscoring : PENDING SINCE 03/22/2022

Musical Score Opening Pages : PENDING SINCE 03/22/2022

Formatting Songs & Underscoring : PENDING SINCE 03/22/2022

Integrated Script and Score : PENDING SINCE 03/22/2022