Marley Duggan is a Texas-based composer and string musician specializing in composition for screen and interactive media. She graduated from Texas Lutheran University in 2021 with a bachelor’s in music education and is pursuing a master's in music composition. Her compositions mainly include fantasy-style overtures, atmospheres, and character themes. Some musical writing influences include composers John Powell, Danny Elfman, Michiru Oshima, and Evan Call, as well as a heavy influence from nature and natural scenery.
Take a seat among the whirling stars to witness a determined underdog’s tale of redemption. “Pluto: Suite for Strings” is a concert work written in January 2022 and completed in December 2023. It is a two-movement suite and character journey for the dwarf planet Pluto. The first movement, “Illusions,” recounts Pluto’s misunderstandings and representation as the bringer of death, with a heroic undertone fighting to be in control. The second movement, “New Horizons,” portrays Pluto’s resolve for vindication in a steady, march-like call for confrontation.
Ema Deguchi was born and raised in Japan and immigrated to America with her family in 2016. From a young age she played piano and the Japanese taiko drum until moving to America. She had a break from learning music before she took interest into piano again in 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak, where she learned pieces on her own for fun. Upon entering Harlan High School in 2022, Ema began studying the bass under Mr. Saltibus, where she learned to take music more seriously. She continues to go to Harlan High School and enjoys playing music with her fellow musicians in her orchestra and jazz ensembles.