OKMULGEE – Mvskoke composer Aryn Ward has been involved with music for years. Originally from Sapulpa, Ward has been involved off-and-on with music since she was in high school, even taking years long breaks before deciding to return to music as a composer.
Ward, who lives in Houston with her husband and their four children, spoke to Mvskoke Media’s Live Wire to discuss her inspiration, her career as a composer, and the evolution of her music style.
Ward is inspired by connection and people. “I like to connect with people on a different level than usual, and music gives me that connection level. It’s not just surface-level. It gets down to a more spiritual connection when you’re playing and writing music,” Ward said.
“There’s so many people, and so many things, and so many places that have inspired me.”
For Ward, Muscogee culture and language is an important building block in the process of creating music. It’s also fundamental in determining what message, or feeling, she wants to convey through her music.
A recent piece created on the harp, alto flute, and bassoon by Ward, titled “Tafv Hotvlē” or “Feather Wind,” was performed at a faculty recital event at West Texas A&M University, being played by Dr. Conor Bell, Dr. Jessica Schury-Peckham, and Dr. Jenny Miller.
Ward was blown away when she first heard her piece being performed. “That was intense,” Ward recalled.
“It was crazy to hear my melody that I wrote being played live in front of all these kids, and these professors, and these band directors… There were even some people from other countries like Australia there.”
Ward has worked with non-profits in the past, working with Nameless Sound, a non-profit organization in Houston that works to spread a love and appreciation of music by holding concerts and workshops in places like public schools, community centers, and homeless shelters.
Ward herself has held a series of workshops with children in after-school programs and in community centers. For Ward, the workshops allow children an escape from their everyday lives by improvising and making music.
“It was always really cool when we got into a groove together, and you could feel it. When you’re in a group together and that happens, it’s the best feeling. It’s when everyone is connected on that level of ‘Oh, this is sounding really good!’”
Ward wants to continue working with youth and especially Mvskoke children, but acknowledges that her living in Houston makes doing so difficult.
Those who want to hear and see more of Aryn Ward’s work can do so by checking out her YouTube channel under the name Aryn Ward, or check out her Instagram page, @mvskokemusic.
