Steven Bryant

A recent exchange with fellow composer John Mackey on Facebook about saxophone samples (he uses the Vienna Symphonic Library series, and I'm currently using the built-in General MIDI samples, which possess the subtlety of a chainsaw) reminded me that I've long wanted to do a post comparing MIDI and live versions of a few of my pieces. I would venture to say that most composers working today...

A review of Ecstatic Waters: "The score could benefit from judicious editing." My "wry impishness" compels me to point out to the reviewer that crystal water glasses are not "electronic," Mvt. III has nothing to do with serialism, and the clarinet solo is not a blues.

I just posted Episode 5 in my ongoing video series. This one deals with Movement III (which I'm currently in the middle of), and shows examples from my sequencing software, Digital Performer. It also showcases my entirely fantastic General MIDI saxophone sound library. Also, that harp ostinato is on an "F," not an "E" like I say in the video. Oops. I suggest you watch it in high definition -...

BCM will be on the radio this weekend. Full info below from the Wind&Rhythm website:

Episode 79: Rivers, Pools, Storms, and Fountains

A recent article in "Listen, Life with Classical Music" quoted a friend of mine, Mark Morette proclaiming his Roman Trilogy is the best band CD ever! I know and trust him and so we'll hear from him and from the album this week. Also we finally find a way to get all...

The first full episode of my new video series documenting the creation of my Concerto for Wind Ensemble. It covers the creation of mvt. II, including a look at how I compose in Digital Performer. More information about the piece, including a recording of the first movement (which is finished). [youtube src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vxYHft2Xjz4?list=PL5B6601309A46F5BD"]

The blog takes a back seat...

Since I'm not particularly consistent at actual blogging, and in recent times posts have dwindled to simple "here's what I'm up to" (and not even that, in the last two months I've had two premieres and nary a word here!!), I've restructured the front page of my site to pull together my Twitter feed, upcoming performances, and a random photo from my Flickr page, and...

The Cedar Ridge HS Wind Symphony and Symphony Bands are playing my MetaMarch and Radiant Joy tonight, in Hillsborough, NC. I'll be working with both bands in rehearsal today, and at the concert tonight. Triangle people, come on out!

Catching up...

Had a great trip to Michigan for the Univ. Michigan Symphony Band's performance of Ecstatic Waters. Hill Auditorium makes the electronics crystal clear - it was easy (to my ears) to pick out the acoustic vs. the electronics elements, which made the blending more difficult than usual. The band did a great job, made all the more astonishing by conductor Michael Haithcock doing the...

If you're in The Triangle (that'd be Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill for you non-locals), you should check out the Duke University Wind Symphony's first concert of the year tonight at 8pm in Baldwin Auditorium (East Campus). Verena has done a fantastic job with the group, and when I heard the dress rehearsal on Tues. night, it was evident they've worked really hard on this concert. Verena is an...

Arrived in Ann Arbor, MI today for the Univ. Michigan's upcoming performance of Ecstatic Waters. Tomorrow I give a seminar, then we do the dress rehearsal in the evening. The group will sound fantastic - can't wait to hear them in Hill Auditorium: Friday night (8pm; pre-concert lecture at 7:15).

Saturday, we're off to the Mich./MSU game. And lest a week go by without BBQ, I hear Kevin Sedatole...

Some observations from last week at UMKC:

1) The band is HOT. The 7 horns in the back row sounded like they were in my lap...and I liked it. It was a fantastic performance, and I can't thank conductor Steve Davis, and his TAs Hayes Bunch and Michelle Van Unen enough for inviting me out and making the whole thing run so well.

2) The BBQ ribs at Oklahoma Joe's are a taste treat, and the Crown Prime...

Lots of performances coming up, and I'm happy to say I'll be at a number of them. The madness begins this coming Tuesday, as I make my very first trip to Kansas City (eager for BBQ - I've been to Memphis many times, lived in Austin, now live in NC, so KC is the last of the big 4 BBQ holy lands I have yet to visit). Here's a rundown of my travels this Fall:

Sept. 22-25: UMKC Wind Symphony (