Shop Update!
Hey everyone, Just two quick updates! The first is that the online store is FINALLY up-and-running! All of the gremlins are out of the back end and everything works. Delivery is in PDFs and currency is in CAD so, for my US friends, this is one heck of a deal on band music. The second is that some of the pieces are in competition until … Continue reading Shop Update!
Reflection: “Icelandic Folk Song Suite” live 8 years later.
I just had awesome night. Like, positively spell-binding. The University of Manitoba Concert Band just performed ALL FOUR movements of Icelandic Folk Song Suite at their concert on March 31st, 2023 at Centre-Culturel Franco Manitobain (or CCFM, for short), conducted by Dr. Jacquie Dawson. So, Dr. Dawson conducted the premiere of this piece eight years ago in my hometown of Gimli, MB; but even better, … Continue reading Reflection: “Icelandic Folk Song Suite” live 8 years later.
Equinox at the MCO
I love the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. The Toronto Star has described them as “Canada’s tiny, perfect chamber orchestra” and I agree. While I’ve only done arranging work for them, I’ve done it three separate times and two of those were with the brilliant folk singer (and dynamite human being) Raine Hamilton. The ensemble is so strong musically and so thoughtful with their programming that I’m … Continue reading Equinox at the MCO
“The Stars of November” at ITG2023!
We never know where a piece is going to go when we begin its journey – and it’s always we. Sure, the composer writes it, but the commissioning path includes organizations, performers, venues, sometimes festivals or events; and yes, the composer too. Kayla Solomon and Danielle Guina, the performers of “The Stars of November” have been an inseparable part of the process. The piece was … Continue reading “The Stars of November” at ITG2023!
Taking Up Space
I’ve been thinking about writing for a while now, both music and a text update here, and I’m finally here at the keyboard (again, both music and text). It took a while, it seems. This last school year has been less hard than others, but still came with significant challenges. The first half of the year had us still rehearsing our band in the autobody … Continue reading Taking Up Space
“Nothing Gold Can Stay” (NEW WORK!)
Hey everyone, I have a new work in print! I know, even in this crazy year of remote rehearsals and streaming concerts, composers are still writing and publishers are still printing new music. I am so grateful for that. This new piece is an SATB setting of Robert Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay” and I’m so incredibly proud of it. It was commissioned by Dr. … Continue reading “Nothing Gold Can Stay” (NEW WORK!)
Band Room Podcast!
Hey everyone, Well, I just wrote a really long and intense post about my 2020 experience, so here’s something a little shorter and brighter! Dylan Maddix and Cait Nishimura had me as a guest on their Band Room Podcast and it felt really amazing to talk shop with them. We talk composing, teaching, balance, video game music, and a whole bunch of other stuff. It’s … Continue reading Band Room Podcast!
New Year, ______ Me – A 2020 Reflection
I was feeling okay this morning, then my cat meowed at me and my stress level went from 0 to 10. He just meowed… that’s it. It seems like a good metaphor for how things have been going. My last blog post was–perhaps naively–about my goals for 2020. Until this past year, 2019 was one of the busiest years of my life and one where … Continue reading New Year, ______ Me – A 2020 Reflection
Music Ed Monday – Assignments for Days Without Playing
Hey team. I’ve been thinking about ways to help my fellow teachers in these uncertain times, especially considering that we won’t be playing very much to help stem transmission of COVID-19. So, I thought I’d share some of the materials/assignments that I’ve got for when we’re not playing. 1959 – The Year That Changed Jazz Four big jazz albums were released in 1959: Kind of … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – Assignments for Days Without Playing
New Year, Old Me.
On paper, last year was a pretty incredible year. In the first half of 2019, I completed my Master’s degree in Composition (with the gold medal for the Graduate Music program, so it went well), I taught a lot of amazing kids and made some wonderful music, and I was flown out to Arizona State University for the American premiere of “Transcendent Light.” I got … Continue reading New Year, Old Me.