Electronic Compositions
Electronic compositions by Mary Kerr.
Music for Dance
Electronic music for contemporary dance by Mary Kerr.
Contemporary Acoustic Compositions
Contemporary chamber music, solo pieces, and art songs by Mary Kerr.
About the Music
Fairy / Mary Kerr
Premiered in 2024 at Texas Tech University
"Fairy" is an electronic composition inspired by my studying habits and a genre that is often not considered as anything but background music: Lo-Fi music. Lo-Fi music historically has a simple and laid-back sound, and "Fairy" follows suite with a straightforward rhythm and lowkey mix, while presenting some dissonant and unexpected sounds. It is meant to be enjoyed through a relaxing and refreshing listening experience.
Organs and Synths / Mary Kerr
Premiered in 2023 at Texas Tech University
"Organs and Synths" is an electronic composition that showcases dynamic contrast and creative instrumentation. Combining the traditional sound of an organ with digital synth creates a full texture. While composing I imagined a hero's journey across land and sea to reach their destination.
In, The End / Mary Kerr, Taylor Williams, Savannah Baker (Choreographers)
Premiered in 2025 at Texas Tech University
"In, The End" is an electronic piece created to accompany a contemporary dance choreography by Taylor Williams and Savannah Baker. The sound is upbeat, the texture is heavy and clear, and the harmonic language explores pop composition. Watch the video here.
Power Move / Mary Kerr, Taylor Williams (Choreographer)
Premiered in 2025 at Texas Tech University for Fall Dance Festival
"Power Move" is an electronic piece created to accompany a contemporary dance choreography by Taylor Williams for the Fall Dance Festival at TTU, 2025. It explores different musical themes, colors, and textures around women's empowerment. The opening and closing are heavily inspired by Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana." Watch the video here.
Metamorphosis / Mary Kerr, Autumn Pearson (Choreographer)
Premiered in 2024 at Texas Tech University
"Metamorphosis" is an electronic piece created to accompany a contemporary dance choreography by Autumn Pearson for Fall Dance Festival at TTU, 2024. Watch the video here. Metamorphosis is the process by which a butterfly comes to fruition out of its first form as a caterpillar, and secondary form as a cocoon. That process symbolizes a person's journey to discover and transform into the most beautiful and free version of themselves. The piece and corresponding choreography follow that journey, emphasizing the different stages of growth with modulation, texture, and tempo variations. The first section builds to a point at which the person has reached a point of enlightenment. The poem strikes a new beginning, the final stage of the metamorphosis, as the butterfly spreads its wings and begins to explore its new life. The second half of the piece helps visualize the new perspective granted after the final evolution. Themes from the first half echo throughout, signifying that the new form is still one and the same as the old, but with new motivation and form. In the centre of the piece there is a poem written and read by Autumn Pearson that reads:​
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Fly, Butterfly, Fly (poem by Autumn Pearson)
"No one told you what it would be like.
To Change.
To Transform.
No one said it would be pleasant.
But the end is worthwhile.
The journey is messy and long,
it will drain you for all you are.
It is a necessity for you to live,
so fly, butterfly, fly."​
Miowahine / Mary Kerr, Autumn Pearson (Choreographer)
Premiered in 2024 at Texas Tech University
"Miowahine" is an electronic piece created to accompany a contemporary Hula-inspired dance choreography by Autumn Pearson. I was given a historical story to interpret; centered around the fall of the freedom of Hawaii and the tragedy of the annexation. The music follows the narrative, beginning in a peaceful, lighthearted, relaxed manner, and progressing into a darker, heavier tone. It ends on a quiet, somber note. I took inspiration from modern Hawaiian dance music and traditional music. Watch the video here.
Vernal Equinox / Mary Kerr
Premiered in 2025 at Texas Tech University
"Vernal Equinox" is a small wind ensemble piece that was born out of a study of the Dorian mode. It uses wistful colors from the mode to trace a picture. Free-flowing melody lines and harmonies hint at shimmering heat. The three parts move together like a shifting breeze: colliding, interrupting, and dissolving into each other. The rhythm never settles for longer than a moment, capturing the brief relief of a breeze on a vernal equinox.
Song (for Piano) / Mary Kerr
Premiered in 2023 at Texas Tech University by pianist Carolyn Stelluti
"Song" for piano is a dissonant, fast-paced and unpredictable solo piano composition. It presents the main theme right off the bat, then immediately descends into something completely new. The leaps and harmony changes reflect the chaos of an extremely unorganized, unorthodox mind as it traverses a day in the life.
Song (for Orchestra) / Mary Kerr
No Premiere
"Song" for orchestra came to fruition as the result of my final project in my orchestration class. Using my new and improved pallet of orchestral sound and texture, I created an arrangement of my piano solo piece, "Song", for full orchestra. With many of the same dissonant and unpredictable elements, the orchestral arrangement elevates the piece to a new level of high-energy performance.
Generis / Mary Kerr
Read by the Tuba Euphonium Ensemble in 2025 at Texas Tech University
"Generis" is an ensemble piece written for 3 tubas and 3 euphoniums. The dynamic depth and ranges take advantage of the beautiful low timbres of the low brass to create an exciting piece. It presents as a repeated theme, with a rough call and response form throughout the different textures. The thickness of the piece avoids overusing the ensemble as a whole, and instead focuses on moments of fullness and moments of space. It was read by the Tuba Euphonium ensemble at TTU, and will be premiered in 2026.
There Are Wires Within You / Mary Kerr, Elena Davila (Poet)
Premiered in 2025 at Texas Tech University, performed by vocalist Naehyeog Kang and pianist Yuwei Jiang
The composition of "There are Wires Within You" is inspired by the sound of a cacophony of cowbells. The piano part, which opens in A minor with a soft and high tone, especially imitates this with flittering harmonic and rhythmic gestures. Both the baritone and piano parts are syncopated and quickly shift across various planes of color throughout the piece. The modulation in the center flows with an interpretation of the poem, beginning a new idea while building off of what has already been revealed. The piece ends on a darker note in the key of Eb minor, in accordance with the final idea of the poem, "you will never be free."
Within & Without / Mary Kerr, Naveed Alam (Poet)
Premiered in 2025 at Texas Tech University, performed by vocalist Yiru Chen and pianist Zhiyun Zheng
"Within & Without" is an art song that was composed as part of TTU's Pen-To-Stage concert, 2025. The composition follows the poem with the intention of text painting the emotions clearly flowing through the words. The dissonant, unsure harmonies and unexpected rhythmic elements in the melody reflect the feelings behind the poetry.
Waltz / Mary Kerr
Premiered in 2023 at Texas Tech University by pianist Carolyn Stelluti
"Waltz" for piano solo is a sweet, short, and lighthearted composition that simply explores the idea of a waltz. It is teasing, fun, and almost comical in its harmony and traveling melody.