Composer's note: "What's That Spell? was commissioned, first performed and recorded by the Dogs of Desire, conducted by Music director David Alan Miller, with sopranos Lisa Bielawa and Alex Sweeton ant the Music Hall of Troy Savings Banks, Troy, New York on April 14, 1996. In this pop cantata, a large rock 'n' roll chamber ensemble backs up two sopranos, who pose in various roles to sing about the travails of cheerleaders, ballerinas, plastic dolls and drum majorettes." - Michael Daugherty -