Swarm…Churn is danced to “Tight Sweater”, a six-movement work by composer Marc Mellits. 

A stimulating study of movement complexity and rhythmic interplay, Swarm…Churn weaves nine bodies in motion through the musical terrain. Choreographed in consultation with the composer, each movement is a strong and direct response to the music. The choreography complements, highlights and expands upon both the detail and of the sensation of the musical composition. Swarm explores backwards locomotion and unison punctuation against group scatter. Reminiscent of drum corps, Reel is a constantly changing whirl of small and large group circles.  Drift, the most emotionally human of all of the movements, presents a tender intimacy of one against the group.  Bloom is thicker in texture, but light and playful in mood. Pushing the limits of the viewer’s ability to withstand lack of unison, Churn, the final movement, is an exploration of continuous motion.

The use of the music for this piece was made possible by the Center for the Moving Image in the department of Media Study at the University at Buffalo with the generous support of the Liberace Foundation and The Robert and Carol Morris Performing Arts Fellowship. Choreographer Melanie Aceto was selected to participate in this film/dance project in collaboration with filmmaker Yuichiro Yamada who made a documentary of the making of this piece.