david lang's piano competition

What? David Lang has a piano competition? I found this in my inbox.

"On November 15, David Lang releases a CD of works for solo piano, this was written by hand, on Cantaloupe Music and announces a piano competition — pianists will upload videos of their performances for judging to YouTube. The winner will perform on the CD release concert at New York City's (le) poisson rouge on May 6, 2012. To get more information about the piano competition, watch the video here. To download the sheet music without charge from competition co-sponsor, G. Schirmer, click here."

Um, I'm sorry, did you say free of charge? And then I watched this video.

So I think I'll enter. I won't win but it will be good…publicity for my blog…

highlights from pasic

I had this trip planned out: I would teach Thursday, eat lunch, pack, pick up the rental car, then drive to PASIC for the first time and see what's up. And then I'd eat at The Tamale Place, a place I've been wanting to try for years.

Unfortunately the rental car place had suffered from two accidents the day before, so they were short on cars and told me I wouldn't have a vehicle until 5 p.m. that day. Not cool.

So, long story short, I drove my own car (sans satellite radio) to Indianapolis in record time to catch the Innovations in Multiple Percussion Solo session. This was my favorite session at PASIC; here's what I heard.

video excerpt of easter egg

It looks like I'm at it again, creating another sound art installation despite my composer title. I wonder if my stints into the art world will turn permanent; at this rate, they may.

Chris Reeves of Museum Gallery–Gallery Museum asked me to contribute to their phrenological map makeover show where the layout of the gallery floor turned into a map of the brain. I was assigned the "moral" section of the brain, which includes the subsection "spirituality;" here's a description of the project.

“Easter Egg” (2011) explores the relationship between gamers and religious spirituality, blurring the lines between ritual and play. In this installation, three gamers play the violent video game “MadWorld.” Instead of controlling the main character onscreen using the traditional Wii Remote and Nunchuk attachment, the gamers’ execution of certain musical codes performed on percussive religious instruments control the attacks and movement. Through their ritualistic practice, the gamers conjure actions that will achieve a common crusade. Their practice of video games fills their spiritual void, thus replacing the spirituality that religions would normally provide.

composer FAIL #43

I know, right?! I haven't received one of these in a while!

Actually I didn't plan on applying to this competition until my friend Nate called me right after I finished my ballet class. He said he just submitted his conductor application, and that I should enter it also. I mean, wouldn't it be cool if both of us got selected to work as a conductor-composer team?

Bummer.

Unfortunately I didn't submit my most current orchestra piece because their orchestra only has double winds. Which makes me wonder—since I will be writing an orchestra piece soon (and if you are Mark Gibson reading this, I've totally started it! Really!), should I write for double winds (instead of triple winds) so more orchestras can play my piece?