Concerts, Goose Bumps, New Discoveries
Last week in New York was one big concert frenzy, and I had a blast! Notable things included: Goose bumps! A clear signal that something very excellent is in progress. I experienced more than one episode of these as a result of: Roomful of Teeth at the Ecstatic Music Festival. They delivered an utterly delightful,...
Spring Cannot Come Soon Enough
One can’t complain too much about this winter in DC after seeing what happened last week in Barcelona! Now that is historic snowfall! (Photo courtesy of bass clarinetist Harry Sparnaay) ******* As I patiently await the arrival of spring (grrrrrrrr!), this delightful tidbit, via Alex Ross, has become a daily necessity: During this sort of...
Your music is not your music
Last week I traveled with Molly and Brian to SUNY Fredonia, where we talked with students, played in and coached rehearsals, and had a concert sponsored by the Ethos New Music Society which included several compositions of mine, as well as works by Per Boland and Lei Liang. Thanks to Rob Deemer for being a...
Street socks and other tidbits
On a recent trip to New York I had one of those anxiety-dream-meets-real-life moments, when I realized on the morning of day 2 that I had forgotten to pack socks! Genius at work. Happily, one of the good things about NYC (especially in the winter) is that wherever you go, you are only about 3...
Converts are the worst
This is so true, don’t you think?! “Most intense” is probably a more diplomatic phrase. Whether it is religious, dietary, technology-related, or name-that-topic, you will hear all about it from the converted. Often, and in great detail. So make yourself comfy. However, this can be a completely good thing! For example, friends joining the Forces...
Listening fast
Well, it’s official. My brain has automatically switched into archetypal back-to-school mode. I am craving fresh notebooks and new shoes. ******* To be honest I haven’t been feeling very talkative lately, so I’ve been keeping things on this side of the firewall. During July and August I took a break from composing to focus on...
My cover is blown!
One of the things I adore about the Baltimore Contemporary Museum’s Mobtown Modern concert series is how much thought and creativity directors Brian Sacawa and Erik Spangler put into the themes of the concerts. Of course there is a thread weaving the pieces on the program together, but what makes the concerts extra special are...
Somebody Pinch Me
….because I think I may have died and gone to new music heaven. Are we still in DC??? (Jonathan gets full credit for the title of this post, btw) Sadly I will be out of town for more than half of this glorious contemporary music week at the Kennedy Center, but you all better get...
The Architecture of Tumbleweeds
We actually talk about these things! Place a group of artists together in a beautiful rural setting, provide optimal working conditions, amazing food, treat them in every way like gold, and the most amazing dialogue is bound to happen. Every artist here has inspired, surprised, challenged and delighted me in one way or another –...
DC Dances in the Streets!!!
Literally! It’s crazy and awesome out there!!! Pretty sure there will be no sleep tonight…..and that’s just fine w/ me. *WHEW!!!*
Big Apples
It’s totally 150% cliche, but… I love New York! Honestly. When I’m there I buy into the frenzy and run around from meeting to meeting to friend visit to concert to meeting to another friend visit to whatever else comes up to….! I always return to DC completely exhausted and oversensitized and inspired and buzzing...
