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The summer research community convened in early August for a poster session where students presented the results of their work. In her second summer on campus, biology major Darcy Gordon ’08 (above, talking with chemistry professor Roger Rowlett) commented that she has been “able to work very closely with a faculty member [Rick Geier, chemistry] on a project that I take great interest, responsibility, and pride in.” (Photo by Timothy Sofranko)

Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of stories about summer research at Colgate.

Summertime was the perfect time for Xavier Lafont ’08 to get serious about writing music.

By not having to devote time to any other courses or classroom projects, Lafont was able to focus solely on his composition involving nine instruments, working one on one with assistant music professor Mark Volker.

“During the school year, I have too much going on, and Professor Volker is too busy as well to really focus on a project like this, so I approached him about doing this over the summer,” said Lafont.

Lafont applied for and received a summer research assistantship, which enabled him to complete two of the three movements of his piece on campus before heading home to India, where he continued to write.

A music major who is considering composition as a career, Lafont plays the alto saxophone, sings, and started piano lessons this year with Colgate’s Kerry Koen ’74.

The orchestral piece he is writing involves flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, French horn, trombone, violin, viola, and cello.

The first movement focuses on the woodwinds, particularly the oboe, and strings, and is in a minor key at a moderate tempo. The second movement focuses more on the brass instruments, with repetition and fugal ideas throughout, and is in a minor key at a fast tempo. The third movement, in a major key, begins as a solo for flute with little accompaniment, then adds the rest of the ensemble in the second half.

Lafont said it is the first “serious” work he’s attempted. He had taken a composition course with Volker this past spring, but wanted the chance to tackle a larger project.

“It’s written with the intention of creating strong ideas and developing them, as well as familiarizing myself with these instruments and pursuing different combinations to achieve various effects,” he said.

He also learned how to accept and implement suggestions Volker made. Being able to objectively look at what’s been written, review it, and change it is an important part of composition.

 “His feedback helped me find some of the general weaknesses I have in composition, so I can work my way out of them,” said Lafont.

It’s work that Lafont enjoys, and a summer of intensive individual attention from Volker has helped set the right tone as he pursues his music studies.

“I think he has significantly improved his skills as a composer and his understanding of orchestration principles,” said Volker.