"A generous, unified sound did much to bring alive Andrew Earle Simpson’s evocative arrangement of “Wayfaring Stranger,” paired with a soaring solo from [soprano Deborah] Sternberg and an intriguing instrumental arrangement."
— Alex Baker, Washington Classical Review, March 2, 2020 (Full Review)
Loading...
Current Season
This season, I will be continuing my interests in humanistic music and theatrical genres.
More events will be added as they are confirmed.
2024
| September 12-22 | Musical Theater The Alliance for New Music-Theatre presents CAESAR AND THE MANNEQUIN (2020, rev. 2024) Music by Andrew Earle Simpson Libretto by Susan Galbraith The stage premiere of the expanded version of this work in which artist (Wo) Man Ray meets Julius Caesar. Sparks fly, and a mannequin is caught in the middle. Art is pitted against power, with lessons about tyranny. Cara Schaefer, soprano (Wo-Man Ray), Danielle McKay (Mannequin), and John Boulanger (Caesar). Atlas Performing Arts Center  Buy Tickets |
Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| September 29 2:00 PM |
National Gallery of Art [New Music for Silent Film] Cœur fidèle (Jean Epstein, 1923) I accompany this visually beautiful melodrama as part of the National Gallery's "Art Films and Special Screenings" Series, and National Silent Movie Day. East Building Auditorium |
Washington, DC |
| October 19 2:00 PM |
National Gallery of Art Early Color Cinema and Impressionism I accompany a program of amazing color films from the earliest years of cinema (dating to the 1890's). East Building Auditorium |
Washington, DC |
| October 27 2:00 PM |
National Gallery of Art A World in Color I accompany a second program of some astonishing early color films, some as early as the 1890's. East Building Auditorium |
Washington, DC |
| October 30 7:30 PM |
Smithsonian National Museum of American History SPOOKY SILENT FILMS: THE DEVIL'S ASSISTANT (1917) THE UNKNOWN (1927), with Lon Chaney and Joan Crawford The Andrew Simpson Ensemble with original scores by Andrew Earle Simpson. Released this week, the Smithsonian's Podcast, called Sidedoor. The most recent episode is called "The Devil's Composer," focusing on my score for the 1917 silent film, THE DEVIL'S ASSISTANT, part of a screening of two silent horror films at the American History Museum on Oct. 30. I am interviewed in this episode and describe how the music supports the story as the host, Lizzie Peabody and I, watch the film together. My theater organ score, already recorded on DVD, is playing. [The Washington Post] The 43 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next weekHistory Film Forum: Spooky Silent Films at the National Museum of American History Don’t care for the gory slasher films that predominate at Halloween? Get a window into the past at the American History Museum, which is showing two silent horror films, accompanied by music from the renowned silent film composer and performer Andrew Earle Simpson. But don’t think that their age means these films are milquetoast: Organizers warn that “The Devil’s Assistant,” from 1917, depicts drug addiction, abduction and “disturbing religious imagery,” while 1927’s “The Unknown,” which features Joan Crawford in an early role alongside horror legend Lon Chaney, features violence, self-harm and “medical procedures.” 7:30 p.m. Free. |
Washington, DC |
| November 8 6:30 PM |
AFI Silver's Silent Cinema Showcase WINGS (1927) Silent with live musical accompaniment by Andrew Earle Simpson (theater organ). AFI Silver Theatre |
Silver Spring, MD |
| November 9 2:00 PM |
AFI Silver's Silent Cinema Showcase THE NAVIGATOR (1924) Silent with live musical accompaniment by Andrew Earle Simpson (theater organ). AFI Silver Theatre |
Silver Spring, MD |
| November 9 3:45 PM |
AFI Silver's Silent Cinema Showcase OUR DANCING DAUGHTERS (1928) Silent with live musical accompaniment by Andrew Earle Simpson (theater organ). AFI Silver Theatre |
Silver Spring, MD |
| November 10 4:15 PM |
AFI Silver's Silent Cinema Showcase THE UNKNOWN (1927) Silent with live musical accompaniment by Andrew Earle Simpson (theater organ). AFI Silver Theatre |
Silver Spring, MD |
| November 10 6:30 PM |
AFI Silver's Silent Cinema Showcase HE WHO GETS SLAPPED (1924) Silent with live musical accompaniment by Andrew Earle Simpson (theater organ). AFI Silver Theatre |
Silver Spring, MD |
| November 30 2:00 PM |
National Gallery of Art East Building Auditorium FANTASIA OF COLOR: Color, Cinema, and the Impressionist Moment My pre-recorded original scores will accompany this program. |
Washington, DC |
Accompanying silent films at Atlas Performing Arts Center. Photo Credit: Sarah O’ Halloran
[New Web Series] Afterglow
A new weekly web series featuring new music, film, and art in dialogue and live performance.
This new "AFTERGLOW" weekly web series begins with the creation and performance of a piece in three short movements, played by the composer, with instruments which are common household tools and appliances. The music is meditative, reminiscent of chant in many traditions, and underscores a larger point that art can be found anywhere and everywhere, any day. How lovely.
[Web Series] Sparklers: Andrew Earle Simpson's Improvisations for the Day
A series of short, improvised piano pieces based on the day
Imagine being a composer and performer in quarantine. Your scheduled professional appearances over the next several months have been postponed or cancelled. What do you do now? Well, if you’re Andrew Simpson, you improvise.
Professor Simpson, director of the Rome School’s Stage Music Program, has been creating daily videos since April 16, combining short musical improvisations with images on a different theme each day. Read more