My Own Design

for SSAA and piano
My Own Design is a three-movement work about self-discovery, living with purpose, and finding joy in life's unfolding journey. Gimon's lyrics are developed from reflections written by the choristers of Vassar College Treble Chorus. The first song, 'Where Do I Go?', describes the struggles of overcoming self-doubt. The following song, 'Step by step' is about navigating life's challenges and the journey to achieving one's goals. Finally, 'Joy' reflects on the delight found in simple, but profound, everyday moments: the warmth of a cup of hot chocolate or singing with friends. Gimon embellishes her dynamic and accessible musical language with body percussion rhythms, aleatoric passages, and a vocal winter soundscape.

Katerina Gimon's uniquely dynamic, poignant, and eclectic compositional style is rapidly gaining her a reputation as a distinctive voice in contemporary Canadian composition. Her music has been described as 'sheer radiance', 'imbued with human emotion', and capable of taking listeners on a 'fascinating journey of textural discovery'. Her works have been performed widely across Canada, the United States, and internationally. Katerina's music draws inspiration from a myriad of places: from eastern European folk music to indie rock, as well as from her roots as a songwriter. She lives and works as a freelance composer in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.