Suspicious Persons

Suspicious Persons
Type
Piece
Composer
Karen Siegel
Composer Nationality
American
Composer Date of Birth
1980
Text
Compiled by Karen Siegel, from the following public documents: Division of Capital Police, “Suspicious Persons in the Workplace;” New Mexico State University, “Suspicious People;” San Diego Police Department Neighborhood Policing Resource Team, “Tips for Reporting Suspicious Persons, Activities, Vehicles, Etc. to Prevent Terrorism;” Los Angeles Police Department, “What Suspicious Behaviors and Activities Should You Report?”; Michigan Technological University, “Information Security Plan;” United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team, Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Department of Justice, “Report Suspicious Behavior and Activity;” State of Oklahoma Office of State Finance, “Information Security Policy: Procedures, Guidelines;” and United States Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, “Communities Against Terrorism: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Shopping Malls and Centers,” “Communities Against Terrorism: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Financial Institutions,” “Communities Against Terrorism: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Bulk Fuel Distributors,” “Communities Against Terrorism: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Construction Sites,” “Communities Against Terrorism: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Farm Supply Stores,” “Communities Against Terrorism: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to General Aviation Airports,” “Communities Against Terrorism: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Hotels and Motels,” “Communities Against Terrorism: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Peroxide and Explosives,” and “Communities Against Terrorism: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Rental Cars.”
Year Composed
2017
Pages
23
Minutes
4
Difficulty
5 (Challenging)
Language
English
Voicing
4 part mixed chorus
Divisi
Yes
Solos
none
Extended Techniques
Yes
Sacred or Secular
Secular
Mood
Tense, with some edge; Rhythmic, with steady energy
Description

Suspicious Persons sets texts compiled from anti-terror public documents such as “Communities Against Terrorism: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Shopping Malls and Centers,” published online by the US Department of Justice. Heard collectively, these texts illustrate how these warnings heighten anxiety, and question whether such messages do more harm than good. Suspicious Persons was premiered by C4: the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective in June of 2017 with conductor Martha Sullivan.

https://soundcloud.com/karensiegel/suspicious-persons-c4
Audio Credit
C4: the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective, conductor Martha Sullivan
Group
C4
Performances
C4: 2017 June 3 (Choralfest), 8 & 10 (Electric), cond. Sullivan (World Premiere)