It's been exciting, to say the least. I know it's been several months since my last post, but I've been VERY busy. I had two works, as mentioned in my last post, performed by members of the Frost School of Music. It is such an incredible experience to work with the talented faculty and students at U. of M.! But even more exciting was what came next. I was the winner of the First Annual Fredericksburg Brass Institute Competition, which meant that the 2015 FredBrass ensemble would commission a work for large (gargantuan?) brass choir from me. In addition, Buddy Deshler and Austin Boyer, the directors, decided to program Sketches for Brass and Percussion (minus the percussion) for their side-by-side ensemble. Buddy had played in the brass choir concert where Sketches was premiered, and loved it.
So, after an exceedingly eventful trip, I arrived in Fredericksburg, VA, at about noon on June 22nd. The week of rehearsals, lunches, listening to music, and watching Mnozil Brass videos was unparalleled as a musical experience. The level of playing at #FredBrass15 amaxed me. High-schoolers, college students, and young professionals all came together and invested their time and energy to create music. Where Heroes Lie, tho commission, was brought to life for the first time, so to speak, with mind-boggling results. Also, many unbelievable opportunities presented themselves at the festival. Possibilities of commissions, performances, and more are exciting to think about. I look forward to a great year as a composer! I also look forward to writing more frequent blog posts.
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Coming up, performances of Sketches for Brass and Percussion (by the amazing Frost Brass Choir) and Episodes for Brass Septet(performed by graduate students at U of M). It's going to be a great semester!
Obviously, I'm in a brass-instrument mood right about now. Check out Sketches for Brass and Percussion, now under Concert Band. Real recording is coming soon...I hope.
Looking for more colorful captions for this composition.
In honor of 9/11, I unveil my newest composition: Full Measure of Devotion. Dedicated to all our fallen, it seeks to remember them and honor them through music. Audio coming soon!
I just finished this piece for wind ensemble. I have no title for it. Suggestions?
My cousins introduced me to the Christian surf-rock band Switchfoot recently. They are great. Innovative chord progressions, great melodies, and honest, well-written lyrics. I like what they do. (Switchfoot. Not my cousins.)
Yes, occasionally I do listen to non-"Classical" music. Well, my schedule is definitely full. I have 11 classes (including 5 8:00 AM ones. It is going to be a busy semester.
But a good one. I have already been composing some more, and the classes seem pretty easy. My earlier prediction (about not writing over the summer) was 100% accurate. I should be a weatherman.
Well, not much happened musically this summer. No compositions, or anything like that. But all this is about to change. Why? College starts today! I can't wait for my first day of classes at University of Miami: Symphonic Winds, Theory 1 and Composition 1. I haven't made a post in a while, due to the busy routine of summer 'break'. I did have a wonderful vacation in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. I was inspired to write a piece, but haven't started yet.
I wrote a chorale for band for my father this week in my spare time (usually from 9:30 to 10:00 PM), which will go up on the website once I finish editing it (IF I finish editing it!). I finally have a (non-musical) job, so more frequent posts should not be expected. |