Composing a Better World

Abstract

This article is a study of the musical composition, We Arrived Safely Because We Sailed Too Close to Shore, by Ryan Sims. Some of the research techniques are discussed, as well as the inspiration for the piece, the tools he used, and the technical details of production. Ryan did not learn to read music until he attended Grant MacEwan University’s music program – a year is a short time to transition from learning how to read and write music to being able to compose a multi-instrument piece. He was inspired by a journey and felt that it reflected his own life’s path. Ryan’s piece is only the beginning for his career. He finds inspiration in everything and brings that talent to his work.