...because that will likely break it, especially if there's a USB thumb drive in one port, and it lands *on* that drive, and smashes it deep into your computer, causing some...distress... to the innards.
All that to say I won't be posting much until my computer returns, which will be another week at least. To everyone in the Langley HS Wind Symphony I met last weekend in Seattle, great concert, and I really liked meeting all of you! If you took pictures, please send them to me when you get a chance.
Coming up in less than a week - the world premiere of First Light by the New York Symphonic Band, under the direction of Ray Cramer. If you're in the Rochester, NY area, please come to the concert on Sunday. I'll be in town for the entire conference, Thurs. night-Sun. afternoon. Look forward to finally seeing Eastman (I've never been).
Hope to have a report and even a recording shortly thereafter - depending on when I get a working computer, I'll post it up here.
Labels: First Light, laptop, New York All State, NYSSMA
I've been exploring software possibilities and trying to sort out what's easily do-able, what's possible but perhaps tricky, and what would be just a downright bad idea when it comes to the technological side of my next work: a consortium commission for a piece I've wanted to create for several years, which combines wind band and electronics to create music that is natural and necessary, not a gimmick. At the moment, as I mentioned, I'm laying the groundwork for what software and hardware I'll use, trying to keep it as robust and inexpensive as possible.
The last couple of days I've been playing with Ableton's Live, which I used a few years ago, and have always liked. My other main option is to use MOTU's Digital Performer. While I'm more familiar with the latter, and will probably use it to create the soundscapes and such, I'm leaning toward Live for the actual live performance. As you might tell from the name, it's geared for exactly that use.
After I get a handle on some of the physical/financial limitations of such a work, I'll start on the music itself. The orchestrational possibilities are daunting - I'm still having a hard time imagining how some of these timbres will mix (or not) with winds and percussion in a live, concert hall setting.
More details as I get deeper into it.
For those who find this sort of project interesting, this is a consortium commission, and I believe it's still open for more members to join. Please contact Bruce Moss at Bowling Green State University if you wish to join the consortium. Or, if you want more details about the scope of the project, you're also welcome to e-mail me, as always.
Labels: Band, Bandtronica, Electronics, WIndtronica
Commander Donald Schofield has given me permission to post the full recording from the upcoming USAF Band of Mid-America CD release of my Concerto for Wind Ensemble. The CD will be out at Midwest. This piece, as you can see if you take a look at the score, is not on the easy side. It's been awhile since I indulged my RedLine-rhythmic side much lately, until this work. While it isn't as rhythmically extravagant as RedLine, the Concerto does have it's share of trickiness. I'm extremely happy with this piece, and look forward to writing two more movements at some point.
NOTE about the recording - this is a stereo file, which means you miss out on the antiphonal surround effects of the 3 clarinets, 3 trumpets, and 2 horns, that are placed on the sides and behind the audience. Please use your imagination (the antiphonal staves are located at the bottom of the score, and a diagram for their placement is at the beginning of the score).
If you have 8'30" to spare, go listen!
Labels: antiphonal, Concerto for Wind Ensemble, RedLine, USAF