Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw on music-writing magic.

Last year, violinist, singer and composer Caroline Shaw of Greenville, N.C., became one of only a few women – and, at 30, the youngest person ever – to win a Pulitzer Prize for music. It was for a four-part vocal piece she composed in a Baroque mode called Partita for 8 Voices. On two Saturdays, July 19 and 26, the Carmel Bach Festival will world premiere a commissioned piece from her. On July 17, Paul Goodwin will sit down with her for Chat with a Composer ($20) at Sunset Center. The Weekly conducted such a chat itself.

Weekly: How did you get involved with the Carmel Bach Festival?

Shaw: Paul Goodwin contacted me last year about doing a piece inside [Bach’s] Magnificat. And I have a lot of friends who sing in the choir and attend and play in the orchestra. [Associate Conductor] Andrew Megill was one of the first musicians I worked with in New York.

What’s the connection between you and Bach?

A lot of my music seems to be inspired by early and Baroque music. I grew up playing violin and singing in church choirs, a lot of hymns. I played a lot of solo Bach cantatas. He’s been with me all along. My own writing style, I don’t know if you could actually hear it in there – melodically and harmonically it’s pretty far from what he was doing. Maybe [there’s] a similar spiritual approach to writing music.

Describe the commissioned piece.

It was originally just for choir but I decided to put strings underneath. It’s a very choral-focused piece. There’s a little bit of added textures.

How do you regard the human voice in composing?

I begin by thinking of it as an instrument. If you take the words away, it’s just vowels – oohs and aahs. Then you can change the colors. As far as sitting down to write the music, I start by finding certain harmonies at the piano, imaging a certain texture or color or musical event, and putting it together. It’s a hard process to describe. I don’t totally understand it.

How has winning the Pulitzer changed your life?

Some things are the same; some things are different. I’m writing more. I’ve been a freelance violinist and singer, and composing was something I did a little bit of. I’m being asked to write more music. I’m trying to not do too much. Some really amazing opportunities have opened up.

What are you hoping to check out at the festival?

I’m going to be there for the first week, hearing the singers and players rehearse. There’s something magical about hearing musicians work.