News on the March: 12/18/2011

As we prepare to say goodbye to 2011, a lot has happened in the GSM world, and there's some wonderful things on the horizon. First the latest happenings:
- The magnificent premiere of Of Stellar Waters by Charles Creighton's Corvallis Youth Symphony is online! Head over to the "Listen" tab to find the audio.
- By clicking this link, you can listen to an interview I gave with Caitriona Bolster of Oregon's classical music radio, KWAX FM, about Of Stellar Waters. Anyone living in Oregon has probably tuned in (even if only accidentally) to Caitriona, and she's earned her fame by being a wonderful radio host and a brilliant interviewer. Definitely worth a listen!
- The Playground Ensemble of Denver recently announced the 2011 winners of their annual Colorado Composers' Concert call for scores, and for the third year in a row my music has made the cut! Blood on the Curb will receive its encore performance at CoCoCo, to take place at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Denver on April 28, 2012. If you're in Denver, this is a must-see!

Now for what's next on the horizon going into the new year:
- Foolish Fire will recieve its 17th performance at the CBDNA Southern Division Conference on February 25th, under the baton of the incomparable Dr. Stephen Kerr and the Liberty University Wind Ensemble! While the details are still to be worked out, chances are good that I'll be in attendance; if you happen to find me there, please say hi!
- The project closest on the horizon is a new piece for tenor saxophone and electronics for my friend at Claflin University in Orangesburg, SC, Andrew Allen. Andrew's an extremely talented player, and he'll be giving the premiere of the piece at the 2012 North American Saxophone Alliance convention and giving a repeat performance in Scotland shortly thereafter. I'm playing this particular one close to the chest for now, but check back soon for more details about the piece and its performance future.
- Next up will be a song cycle I've wanted to do for over a year now, on poetry by the extremely talented Alaina Ferris, written for this piece. This is a project I'm particularly excited about and thrilled to finally be able to pursue; check back as the piece develops.

And for those of you who do actually read the words in this space, please enjoy a small musical gift to start your holiday season off on the right track:

Happy holidays!

News on the March: 10/20/11

Welcome to fall! As the air grows crisper and the days get shorter, all new things continue to happen in the world of GSM. Here's a sampling:

- The Fifth House Ensemble has released their debut recording, Black Violet Act I: The Leagues of Despair! This wonderful new recording features not only Kites at Seal Rock from my Piano Quintet, but other fantastic music by the likes of Brahms, Piston and Villa-Lobos. Especially with holiday season coming up, this is going to fly off the proverbial shelves! You can get your copy (physical or digital) by visiting 5HE's website, www.fifth-house.com.

- Dr. Stephen Kerr and his band at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, are busily preparing their version of Foolish Fire for the concert stage. They recently found out that they were invited to perform at the CBDNA Southern Division Conference, and they're taking Foolish Fire with them! Congratulations to the band; very excited for this performance!

- Oregonians and Coloradans alike: mark your calendars. There are a few wonderful performances on the horizon! On Saturday, December 10, Matt Roeder's Colorado Wind Ensemble will give Foolish Fire its fifth Colorado performance on their concert "A Wind Wonderland," at Littleton United Methodist Church in Littleton, CO. The very next day (Sunday, December 11), the Corvallis Youth Symphony, under the direction of my great friend and teacher Charles Creighton, will premiere Of Stellar Waters, written especially for them. That concert is in the LaSells Stewart Center on Oregon State University's campus in Corvallis, OR. They're both sure to be incredible concerts, and I for one can't wait for either one! There's more news coming on both fronts in the near future; check Notes and Words again soon!

News on the March: 7/12/11

Happy summer! Today it's raining in Corvallis, my home for the next two weeks. Here's what's been happening:

- Of Stellar Waters, commissioned by Charles Creighton and the Corvallis Youth Symphony, is underway and slated for a December 2011 premiere. More news to come!

- Foolish Fire hasn't finished its exciting journey just yet! On the calendar for this year are performances at Liberty University and in Broomfield, CO. Meanwhile, the Cal State Fullerton Wind Symphony, dir. Mitch Fennell, just wrapped on the premiere recording, to be released next year. More details as they approach.

- The Fifth House Ensemble also just finished in the studio, and they're mixing their debut album, which will feature Kites at Seal Rock from Piano Quintet No. 1! Audio will be here as soon as it's available. These guys are true friends of GSM - they've taken Kites to venues in Chicago, Ann Arbor, and various other locales in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, just to name a few. Learn more about these amazing musicians at www.fifth-house.com.

- In just a few short weeks, I'll be heading with the Park Hill Brass to our summer home in Villard, France, for the Jazz en Vercors summer festival. Music will be made, jazz will be in the air, and most importantly, wine will be drank.

- Short on the horizon as well: Melos Music, of which I am a proud member, is gearing up for our annual new music recital, this year in San Francisco at the Community Music Center on Capp. The recital takes place on August 19 at 7:30pm, and is just $15/$10 for students. This recital will feature amazing works by all of the Melos composers; I'll be conducting works by friends Brian Penkrot and Ryan Olivier. It will also feature the world premiere of my Blood on the Curb for solo piano by pianist Preben Antonsen. This is one not to miss! Check back for more information, including links to our Kickstarter page and for samples of work by other Melosians. More about us can be found on our website at www.melosmusic.com, and even more about the concert can be found here.

- In the slightly-further future are projects for saxophonist Andrew Allen, the long-awaited premiere of One for concert choir, and the completion and premiere of Desaparecida, a song cycle in collaboration with poet and composer Alaina Ferris. Come visit Notes and Words again soon for more information about all of these as they grow closer.

Now, enough reading - go enjoy the sunny weather!