MM Recital, Part I

Here it is, folks. The first piece on my recital was a woodwind trio entitled "Ma fin est mon commencement, est mon commencement," performed by Kara Fortenberry, flute; Rebecca Danard, clarinets; and Kathleen Moniaci, bassoon.

Figuring out iMovie

Whoa, I know it has been a week since I have posted. AND I promised video clips of my recital. The good news is, they're coming. I just downloaded the rough cuts of my recital onto my computer and transferred them to my external hard drive (because, man, do those digital video clips take up a TON of space). I will hopefully have them up starting Monday.

Until then, I will have to figure out how to use iMovie. This is a Mac program, so it should be user-friendly, right? I mean, why am I having trouble with this?

More Facebook

Probably due to this article in the opinion section in the LA Times, Facebook went back to their original Terms of Service. It looks like we're okay for now.

(N.B. Yes, this news is a couple of days old, but now my recital is over!)

Facebook Part II

The Benevolent Dictator Responds.

Buyers Beware: Facebook Now Owns Your Content

I am now back from Ann Arbor, and I realize that I am behind on my blogging (among other things like schoolwork, composing, and grading). But now that I'm back in town, am I going to talk about how arts funding isn't completely cut or that composers are predominately white and male? (BTW, the male to female ratio at the Midwest Composers Symposium was 3:1, if you're keeping score.)

No. I'm going to talk about Facebook. Yes, I know, but I'm serious about this.

As of February 4, 2009, Facebook changed their Terms of Service. How did I know this? The Swivet and Marketing Vox posted this on their blogs.

Would Facebook actually tell its users about this? Nope.

In general, any project that you post on Facebook, Facebook owns. This goes for musings about music. Program notes. Videos. Recordings. Anything that a composer (or music person or artist or photographer) might want to promote his/her work.

I have to admit, I'm a bit peeved about this. I like Facebook. Facebook has helped me keep in touch with my friends, bring hits to my website, and I actually got my first commission via Facebook (never underestimate the power of virtual friends).

I will still post photos and clips of my music, but trust me, I will not be posting everything. You're just going to have to check out my website instead.

Midwest Composers Symposium Day 2

Today I really meant to video record my new piece, but unfortunately my camera did not recognize that I just inserted a 4 GB MEMORY CARD. Curses. Eh, c'est la vie. So, at least I was able to enjoy the performance. Thanks again to Kara, Rebecca, and Kathleen. If you missed the performance, it will be played again this Wednesday on my recital.

The one thing I like about the MCS is that I'm able to hear lots of different works from these Midwestern schools. (Of course, I have to cram it all in one day, and my brain might be suffering from overload, but that's okay.)

I have to say that in general, all of the performances were very good, and even though I am exhausted (and eating leftovers of my lunch from Zingerman's), I am looking forward to tonight's concert. And the party afterward. In the meantime, enjoy this group picture with Michael Daugherty.

Pre-Midwest 2009

I am now in Ann Arbor Michigan, safely nestled in my hotel room blogging away (and listening to bass clarinet multiphonics and key clicks). Let's see if I survive the weekend with a whole bunch of composers staying in the same hotel. I figure, if I can survive the "touch-down Jesus" statue that always greets me whenever I'm on the I-75, I think the omens will be in my favor.

In the meantime, my new wind trio will receive its world premiere tomorrow at 10:30 AM. Wish us luck!

I wanna be a rock star

So, Radiohead did not win Album of the Year, but I thought they had the best performance. And, as I mentioned yesterday, having the USC Trojan Marching Band perform with them was pretty cool.



Next question: Would dressing like a rock star (black leather jackets, Beethoven t-shirts) make me cooler? Or can I get away with Paul Lansky's style? What do composers wear, anyway?

(N.B. Also, for complete 2009 Grammy Award Highlights (classical style), click here.)

The Boulez Awards (well, not really)

I finally purchased a digital converter box, and, hot damn, I actually get CBS and some pretty sweet channels. So, while I'm watching Bono and friends bust a tune at the Grammy Awards, you can actually check out who won the Best Classical Contemporary Composition. Congrats, Mr. Corigliano.

Midwest Composers Symposium 2009

Next weekend (February 13 & 14) I'll be in Ann Arbor, MI for the annual Midwest Composers Symposium. Last year, the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music was invited to go, and this is our second year. There will be a world premiere of my piece Ma fin est mon commencement, est mon commencement for flute, clarinet, and bassoon. My players are awesome, and now that financial headaches and logistical issues are pretty much resolved,* I am quite excited to go. Next weekend I hope to have photos and video available from the trip, so please drop by and check it out. Of course, I do have to stop by Radio Shack and pick up some memory cards.

*This was a nightmare, but considering that I am a composer, I am quite dependent on grants. I'll probably write more about this later.

Composer in the Kitchen

Yes, again, I'm stealing something from another blog, but this time, it is worth it.

Enjoy!

Lots of time to compose?

Last week, Cincinnati had a huge snow day (and guess what? It is snowing right now...) You know you have a snow day when (1) you look outside your window and everything is buried (2) the local news will NOT stop talking about it. (Do we really need a local newscaster to drive on the interstate and give us a view of how the freeways look? STAY HOME.)

I was thinking I had lots of time to get things done, which included everything but composing (I finished reading Susan McCleary articles, graded assignments, did a little workout from Women's Health Mag online, cooked Chinese Red Chicken). I was thinking how composers who have pleasure of having all day to compose balance their time.

Is this possible? As far as I know, most composers have another job to supplement their income (cushy university post, teaching composition/instrument lessons) so maybe free time is nonexistent. I remember Christopher Rouse said a few years ago that he could only find time to compose on Sundays.

Also, can I ever become disciplined enough to make my own schedule? Michael Chabon told the New York Times that he has a strict writing schedule fom 10 AM to 3 PM, Sunday through Thursdays. (Yes, not a composer, I know, but I like Wonder Boys, which I'm currently reading (no judgments, please) and Spiderman II.)

Anyway, back to composing.

RIP Lukas Foss (1922-2009)

Read the New York Times article here.