New Years Resolutions for 2009
1) Be aware - understand where you are and what you are doing at all times and take control (easier said than done)
2) Be organized - not just with calendars and task lists, but in all areas of life
3) Be alive - don't forget to take time for yourself to live the life you want
4) Be kind - to those you know and those you meet
5) Be inquisitive - always ask questions, never stop learning
6) Be patient - all good things take time
7) Be appreciative - never forget all you have
8) Be frugal - not cheap, but efficient and wise with all resources
9) Be forthright - always understand your situation and never fear honesty with peers
10) Be
Different type of list than years past. I guess I get more serious about this stuff as I get older. Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Reading over the break
While PMAC is closed for holiday break, I've been doing some catching up on my reading. As you can see in my Shelfari bookshelf (in my sidebar), I've been working on Alex Ross' "The Rest is Noise" for some time. I had actually put the book down for a bit and just picked it up again last week. I chose to start from the beginning again, and this time I've been following up my reading with listening to the audio examples Ross has provided on his website www.therestisnoise.com. I am familiar with much of the music from my years at Peabody and the University of Chicago (and Boston Conservatory, though I didn't listen so much as practice and compose constantly in those days), as well as through my own personal listening and concert-going, but it has been refreshing to go back and skip around from piece to piece, following Ross' perspective. I highly recommend this book for any music lover, especially those who don't "get" the music of the 20th century ("classical" concert music, not pop or jazz). The audio guide at the website makes the read that much better. It is amazing to put new technology to good educational use. The many publishers and labels that gave permission for the posting of excerpts should be commended, and hopefully they will see an increase in interest for this amazing music.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Top Ten Concerts of 2008
As is tradition on this blog, I now give you the top ten concerts that I attended in 2008. It was a particularly good year for me, having seen and heard several of my favorite musicians for the first time (The Fiery Furnaces, Ben Folds, The Fringe, Radiohead, Masada). I am also happy to have frequented many of my favorite venues for live music - The Music Hall, The Press Room, The Space and Jordan Hall. Additionally, my sons find themselves at number 10 this year, off to an auspicious start - though I am their dad, so it would be hard to leave them off my top ten! It was a very good year.
10. Rush, Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, NH - and - The Poo Poo Platters, The Stratham Fair, Stratham, NH
I grouped these two events together because they were both special to our family. Rush was the first major rock concert we brought our two sons to (ages 9 and 11 at the time) and, of course, our two sons make up the duo known to the world as The Poo Poo Platters. Their August show at The Stratham Fair was nearly an hour long, a significant accomplishment for musicians their age. Check out a video clip from that show, an original tune titled Splat, here.
9. The NEC Jazz Big Band plays the Music of Charles Mingus, Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Katie and I drove to Boston earlier this month to catch Nate Therrien, who teaches bass at PMAC, in this group. A rare opporunity to hear the music of Mingus in its large-scale glory, this group of student musicians (though they are all essentially at a professional level, many having played professionally for some time) brought the house down. Bravo!
8. The Fringe, The Press Room, Portsmouth, NH
Saxophonist George Garzone, bassist John Lockwood, and drummer Bob Gullotti make up this "free jazz" trio. An ensemble that explores timbre with the utmost intensity. Hearing them in the intimate setting of The Press Room was pure joy.
7. Ben Folds, The Orpheum, Boston, MA
A quirky show in which Folds spent 75 minutes playing music exclusively from his latest recording The Way to Normal, followed by four popular tunes as encores. Way too short, giving true meaning to "leaving them wanting more."
6. Joshua Bell, The Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH
In top form, Bell wowed the audience with repertoire from Tartini to Prokofiev. It was wonderful to hear such gorgeous, unamplified chamber music in the acoustically magical Music Hall. Accompanied by Jeremy Denk, this was one of the few classical concerts I attended this year - and I'm still not sure why classical music was not a priority for me. I'll need to fix that in 2009!
5. John Zorn and Masada, The Institue of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA
Tickets to this show were a gift from Katie and it quickly became one of the best gifts I've ever received when we arrived at the venue to discover that not only would the music of Zorn be performed by a wonderful classical duo (as was advertised) but that Zorn's amazing quartet, Masada, would perform that evening as well. The last minute change in program had to do with a world premiere that was not yet ready for performance, but the end result was that I got to hear one of my favorite bands for the first time. Zorn's alto playing in Masada is unique in the most amazing way. What a joy.
4. World Inferno Friendship Society, The Space, Portland, ME
As soon as we heard Brian Viglione had joined this amazing lineup, we were determined to go see this band. Amazing punk cabaret with full horn section, it was a great show. Can't wait to see them again.
3. The Fiery Furnaces, The Space, Portland, ME
In late 2007 I discovered this amazing band and they quickly became one of my favorites. I was thrilled to get the opportunity to head up to Portland last January with Katie, Anna and Jose to catch these guys. Amazing show. All I can say is that I was blown away.
2.Amanda Palmer with The Boston Pops, Symphony Hall, Boston, MA - and - Amanda Palmer, The Paradise, Boston, MA
While last year was "The Year of the Dresden Dolls", this year Amanda Palmer struck out on her own with her first solo release, Who Killed Amanda Palmer? In June she launched her world tour with two nights at Symphony Hall as a part of the Boston Pops' Edgefest. Keith Lockhart's direction was true to Amanda's theatrical nature and Brian Viglione made a wonderful guest appearance to sing "What A Wonderful World" and the Dolls anthem "Sing". Then, in November, Amanda was back in Boston, this time in her more usual setting at The Paradise. Performing with Australia's Danger Ensemble, an experimental theater troupe, Amanda was in top form. It was wonderful to finally see her twice post-vocal chord surgery. Can't wait for the next show.
1. Radiohead, The Tweeter Center, Mansfield, MA
Finally, Katie and I caught Radiohead last August. We LOVE them! And the show did not disappoint. In fact, we were happily surprised when they devoted a significant amount of the show to playing tune from one of our favorite albums, Kid A. With a light show that blew away anything we've seen and the best sound of any rock concert I've ever attended, this had to make the top of my list.
Honorable Mention: True Colors Tour, year two, with Cyndi Lauper, The B-52s, Regina Spektor, The Clicks, Rosie O'Donnell and more, Bank of America Pavillion, Boston, MA
We went to this show specifically to see Regina Spektor and she was amazing. The only problem was that she performed early on in the evening at the festival event, so the audience was less than great. Basically, everyone was there to dance to Cyndi Lauper and The B-52s and the subtlety of Spektor's one-woman show was lost on most of the crowd. It was our first time seeing 80's icons The B-52s and they were the did not let down - the party band of the century. Not sure if it will become an annual trek, but Cyndi Lauper is doing a wonderful thing for the Human Rights Campaign and we were proud to be there again.
Here's to another amazing year of music in 2009!
10. Rush, Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, NH - and - The Poo Poo Platters, The Stratham Fair, Stratham, NH
I grouped these two events together because they were both special to our family. Rush was the first major rock concert we brought our two sons to (ages 9 and 11 at the time) and, of course, our two sons make up the duo known to the world as The Poo Poo Platters. Their August show at The Stratham Fair was nearly an hour long, a significant accomplishment for musicians their age. Check out a video clip from that show, an original tune titled Splat, here.
9. The NEC Jazz Big Band plays the Music of Charles Mingus, Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Katie and I drove to Boston earlier this month to catch Nate Therrien, who teaches bass at PMAC, in this group. A rare opporunity to hear the music of Mingus in its large-scale glory, this group of student musicians (though they are all essentially at a professional level, many having played professionally for some time) brought the house down. Bravo!
8. The Fringe, The Press Room, Portsmouth, NH
Saxophonist George Garzone, bassist John Lockwood, and drummer Bob Gullotti make up this "free jazz" trio. An ensemble that explores timbre with the utmost intensity. Hearing them in the intimate setting of The Press Room was pure joy.
7. Ben Folds, The Orpheum, Boston, MA
A quirky show in which Folds spent 75 minutes playing music exclusively from his latest recording The Way to Normal, followed by four popular tunes as encores. Way too short, giving true meaning to "leaving them wanting more."
6. Joshua Bell, The Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH
In top form, Bell wowed the audience with repertoire from Tartini to Prokofiev. It was wonderful to hear such gorgeous, unamplified chamber music in the acoustically magical Music Hall. Accompanied by Jeremy Denk, this was one of the few classical concerts I attended this year - and I'm still not sure why classical music was not a priority for me. I'll need to fix that in 2009!
5. John Zorn and Masada, The Institue of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA
Tickets to this show were a gift from Katie and it quickly became one of the best gifts I've ever received when we arrived at the venue to discover that not only would the music of Zorn be performed by a wonderful classical duo (as was advertised) but that Zorn's amazing quartet, Masada, would perform that evening as well. The last minute change in program had to do with a world premiere that was not yet ready for performance, but the end result was that I got to hear one of my favorite bands for the first time. Zorn's alto playing in Masada is unique in the most amazing way. What a joy.
4. World Inferno Friendship Society, The Space, Portland, ME
As soon as we heard Brian Viglione had joined this amazing lineup, we were determined to go see this band. Amazing punk cabaret with full horn section, it was a great show. Can't wait to see them again.
3. The Fiery Furnaces, The Space, Portland, ME
In late 2007 I discovered this amazing band and they quickly became one of my favorites. I was thrilled to get the opportunity to head up to Portland last January with Katie, Anna and Jose to catch these guys. Amazing show. All I can say is that I was blown away.
2.Amanda Palmer with The Boston Pops, Symphony Hall, Boston, MA - and - Amanda Palmer, The Paradise, Boston, MA
While last year was "The Year of the Dresden Dolls", this year Amanda Palmer struck out on her own with her first solo release, Who Killed Amanda Palmer? In June she launched her world tour with two nights at Symphony Hall as a part of the Boston Pops' Edgefest. Keith Lockhart's direction was true to Amanda's theatrical nature and Brian Viglione made a wonderful guest appearance to sing "What A Wonderful World" and the Dolls anthem "Sing". Then, in November, Amanda was back in Boston, this time in her more usual setting at The Paradise. Performing with Australia's Danger Ensemble, an experimental theater troupe, Amanda was in top form. It was wonderful to finally see her twice post-vocal chord surgery. Can't wait for the next show.
1. Radiohead, The Tweeter Center, Mansfield, MA
Finally, Katie and I caught Radiohead last August. We LOVE them! And the show did not disappoint. In fact, we were happily surprised when they devoted a significant amount of the show to playing tune from one of our favorite albums, Kid A. With a light show that blew away anything we've seen and the best sound of any rock concert I've ever attended, this had to make the top of my list.
Honorable Mention: True Colors Tour, year two, with Cyndi Lauper, The B-52s, Regina Spektor, The Clicks, Rosie O'Donnell and more, Bank of America Pavillion, Boston, MA
We went to this show specifically to see Regina Spektor and she was amazing. The only problem was that she performed early on in the evening at the festival event, so the audience was less than great. Basically, everyone was there to dance to Cyndi Lauper and The B-52s and the subtlety of Spektor's one-woman show was lost on most of the crowd. It was our first time seeing 80's icons The B-52s and they were the did not let down - the party band of the century. Not sure if it will become an annual trek, but Cyndi Lauper is doing a wonderful thing for the Human Rights Campaign and we were proud to be there again.
Here's to another amazing year of music in 2009!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Been Busy!
Tonight Katie and I are off to Portland to see the World Inferno Friendship Society. Very excited to hear them live. My sister Ruth is visiting from Seattle and she'll be coming to the concert with us. I'll post about the show in the coming days.
Rock on!
Rock on!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Faculty Guest - Cathy Meyer
Cathy Meyer teaches art classes for children at PMAC, focusing in early childhood education. I have seen the movie she mentions, and agree that it is quite thought-provoking. Here are Cathy's answer's to October's questions:
Who was my most inspiring teacher?
One of my professors, Philia Yi. She introduced me to printmaking and to silkscreening as fine art, which I just fell in love with. She also helped me explore abstract art and dynamic movement within a piece, which I strive for still in my own work. She was incredibly enthusiastic, open minded and she pushed me hard in a very subtle and motivating way.
What is the most recent art exhibit you attended?
Early this fall I visited the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. I had never been there before. What an amazing location!! I was really taken with Robert Eric Moore's watercolors. They all have this incredible sense of movement within them, which always intrigues me. They dealt with the land and the water and some depicted animals or birds (in my mind he could have left out the critters and still had beautiful works of art), but I love the way he also scratched the paper to achieve some super detail and texture. I don't know if they are still there now, but if they are, check his work out.
What is my favorite movie about an artist?
Well, I guess I am going to change this question if that's ok, as a documentary that my husband and I saw recently jumped into my mind and stuck there when I read this question. So it's not my favorite movie per se, but a fascinating one that really brings up some great questions for debate about art - watch it with friends who like to debate all the angles! It is called "My Kid Could Paint That" about a four year old artist, Marla, who ends up showing her abstract works in galleries.
Where is the most unusual space you have exhibited your art?
I once exhibited at a yoga studio. Great people, nice space too! There are so many opportunities for artists to get their work out there these days.
Who was my most inspiring teacher?
One of my professors, Philia Yi. She introduced me to printmaking and to silkscreening as fine art, which I just fell in love with. She also helped me explore abstract art and dynamic movement within a piece, which I strive for still in my own work. She was incredibly enthusiastic, open minded and she pushed me hard in a very subtle and motivating way.
What is the most recent art exhibit you attended?
Early this fall I visited the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. I had never been there before. What an amazing location!! I was really taken with Robert Eric Moore's watercolors. They all have this incredible sense of movement within them, which always intrigues me. They dealt with the land and the water and some depicted animals or birds (in my mind he could have left out the critters and still had beautiful works of art), but I love the way he also scratched the paper to achieve some super detail and texture. I don't know if they are still there now, but if they are, check his work out.
What is my favorite movie about an artist?
Well, I guess I am going to change this question if that's ok, as a documentary that my husband and I saw recently jumped into my mind and stuck there when I read this question. So it's not my favorite movie per se, but a fascinating one that really brings up some great questions for debate about art - watch it with friends who like to debate all the angles! It is called "My Kid Could Paint That" about a four year old artist, Marla, who ends up showing her abstract works in galleries.
Where is the most unusual space you have exhibited your art?
I once exhibited at a yoga studio. Great people, nice space too! There are so many opportunities for artists to get their work out there these days.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Faculty Guest - Virginia Macdonald
Ginna teaches clarinet, saxophone, and early childhood music classes including Jump Start Piano for 4 and 5 year old students. She has been with PMAC from the very beginning and has recently begun her studies for a Masters Degree in Music Therapy. Here are her responses to a few of my questions:
What was the most recent concert you attended? Did you like it? Why or why not?
I attended The Fab Faux's concert at Berklee. They are touted as the best Beatle's tribute band around and they did not disappoint! No synthesizers for the winds or strings - real people - right down to the piccolo trumpet solo on Penny Lane. Their specialty is the music from the Beatles' psychedelic years - the things they did not perform live, but with modern technology can be done.
At what age did you decide to become a professional musician or artist? How did you come to that decision?
I've always thought of myself as a band weenie. I was probably 16, but sometime in high school I decided that I wanted to be a high school band director. My high school had such a great program and our director Jeff Smith took us to the World's Fair, the Cherry Blossom parade in DC, and Mardi Gras. If it were not for music during those years, I don't know where my life might have gone. Music has gotten me through a lot. I am looking forward to learning all that I can on music's healing benefits as I pursue my graduate degree in Music Therapy. I'm loving it so far!
What advice do you have for a young student who is considering art or music as a career?
Look at all the possibilities. I was only aware of performance and education. There are so many careers in music that are not as apparent as others. I didn't even hear about the field of music therapy until I was an adult, although it has been around for 50 years or more.
What is your favorite movie about an artist or musician?
One that really sticks with me is Dancer In The Dark. Bjork stars in this musical about a woman who is working so hard to prevent her son from her fate of losing sight. Her dreamworld revolves around all the sounds she hears and the songs are truly beautiful. It is a heart-wrenching film and you may want some tissues nearby.
What was the most recent concert you attended? Did you like it? Why or why not?
I attended The Fab Faux's concert at Berklee. They are touted as the best Beatle's tribute band around and they did not disappoint! No synthesizers for the winds or strings - real people - right down to the piccolo trumpet solo on Penny Lane. Their specialty is the music from the Beatles' psychedelic years - the things they did not perform live, but with modern technology can be done.
At what age did you decide to become a professional musician or artist? How did you come to that decision?
I've always thought of myself as a band weenie. I was probably 16, but sometime in high school I decided that I wanted to be a high school band director. My high school had such a great program and our director Jeff Smith took us to the World's Fair, the Cherry Blossom parade in DC, and Mardi Gras. If it were not for music during those years, I don't know where my life might have gone. Music has gotten me through a lot. I am looking forward to learning all that I can on music's healing benefits as I pursue my graduate degree in Music Therapy. I'm loving it so far!
What advice do you have for a young student who is considering art or music as a career?
Look at all the possibilities. I was only aware of performance and education. There are so many careers in music that are not as apparent as others. I didn't even hear about the field of music therapy until I was an adult, although it has been around for 50 years or more.
What is your favorite movie about an artist or musician?
One that really sticks with me is Dancer In The Dark. Bjork stars in this musical about a woman who is working so hard to prevent her son from her fate of losing sight. Her dreamworld revolves around all the sounds she hears and the songs are truly beautiful. It is a heart-wrenching film and you may want some tissues nearby.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Faculty Guest - Mark Zielinski
Mark is one of PMAC's trumpet instructors. In addition to teaching at PMAC, he is currently teaching a class at UNH in the Music Department. With an extensive background in music education, Mark is a wonderful teacher, conductor and trumpet player. Here are his answers to a few of my questions:
Who was your most important/inspiring teacher/mentor and why?
All of my private teachers and collegiate band directors. I learned a lot from every one of them, just at different stages in my development, so I can't say that one was more significant than another. They all shaped me into who I am now.
What was the most unusual performance you've given? Or most unusual venue you've performed at?
Playing in a Madrigal Dinner concert. We had to wear outfits typical of that time in history (Renaissance Period - 15th and 16th century) and play fanfares on piccolo trumpets. It is not like performing in a suit or tuxedo.
What album/CD do you love to listen to that you think others would be surprised to hear you like?
I like to listen to bluegrass music sometimes; not your typical trumpet player "stuff".
What advice do you have for a young student who is considering art or music as a career?
My advice would be to work hard at it. You will find that the harder you work at it, the more you will like it!
Who was your most important/inspiring teacher/mentor and why?
All of my private teachers and collegiate band directors. I learned a lot from every one of them, just at different stages in my development, so I can't say that one was more significant than another. They all shaped me into who I am now.
What was the most unusual performance you've given? Or most unusual venue you've performed at?
Playing in a Madrigal Dinner concert. We had to wear outfits typical of that time in history (Renaissance Period - 15th and 16th century) and play fanfares on piccolo trumpets. It is not like performing in a suit or tuxedo.
What album/CD do you love to listen to that you think others would be surprised to hear you like?
I like to listen to bluegrass music sometimes; not your typical trumpet player "stuff".
What advice do you have for a young student who is considering art or music as a career?
My advice would be to work hard at it. You will find that the harder you work at it, the more you will like it!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Disc Golfing in Vermont
I haven't been able to blog for the past week because I took a five day vacation to Vermont - no internet access, very little cell reception - to play in a disc golf tournament. I won't reveal how I did, but it wasn't pretty. Here is a nice photo of me throwing a disc - I don't remember the details of this particular shot, but I assume it probably hit a tree and rolled into some nasty thorn bushes.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Faculty Guest - Dick Ray
Next up: Dick Ray, PMAC's guest conductor for the fall session of the Portsmouth Men's Chorus. Formerly the choral director at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, Dick has a long and interesting history as a musician, including being the leader of the well known rock band, The Spectras.
Name a musician who is relatively unknown, but whose work you think everyone should hear. Name examples of recordings if possible.
Bobby McFerrin is a singer/composer who is relatively unknown and if people do know of him, it may only be through his 1988 Top 40 hit “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” but you really don’t get the full picture of this man’s capabilities from that one song. He is perhaps the most amazing vocal artist I have had the pleasure of hearing in the past 40 years. His live, one-man concerts are jaw-dropping. He has the ability to sing a bass line, accompaniment, and melodic line all at the same time one note at a time but arranged so cleverly that you can’t believe all that music is coming from just one set of vocal chords.
To become further aquainted with his work I would recommend listening to two albums: Voice and Spontaneous Inventions. You’re in for a real treat!
Who was your most important/inspiring teacher/mentor and why?
Without a doubt, my most important music teacher and mentor was my father. He was not a trained musician or a singer, but what he imparted to me through years of personal example was that music was fun, it could be something you can do your whole life, and it can be approached on a lot of different skill levels for enjoyment. He taught my brothers and me how to sing vocal harmonies and to be part-independent when we were not yet in first grade! As we grew older, it became a family tradition to ‘bring out the books’ after dinner and sing four-part men choral arrangements. This simple love of the choral art was deeply etched on my soul by my dad, and I have tried to pass that tradition on to my two sons and daughter as well. It all started with a man who loved to sing.
What was the most unusual performance you've given? Or most unusual venue you've performed at?
I think the most unusual performance I ever gave was in the summer of 1968 when my rock band, The Spectras, opened for the Beach Boys at the Hampton Beach Casino. There were over 6,000 people jammed shoulder to shoulder on the floor, so that when you looked out at the crowd from the stage, all you saw was a floating sea of heads. It felt like we were on a bobbing life raft, and before long I actually began to experience some motion sickness! I looked over at the other guys in the band and they were looking a little green also! But we put on our stage face and drove on through the set without getting sick.
At what age did you decide to become a professional musician or artist? How did you come to that decision?
I was 17 years old and a freshman at UNH majoring in Chemical Engineering. I could do the science and the math, but I just felt that I wasn’t emotionally invested in that career path. I wanted to be two things – for the near term, I wanted to be a touring rock and roll star, and for the long term I wanted to be a high school music teacher. The rock star thing actually came to fruition on a regional level. As I look back at that experience, it was simply a way to feed my giant teenage ego and to get girls to notice me. The teaching thing went much deeper. I had had some wonderful high school music teachers, and I wanted to pass that experience on to other high school kids.
What is your favorite movie about an artist or musician?
I think my favorite movie about a musician is “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” probably because I feel like I’m watching my own life story when I see that film. I love the way he begins teaching music as a way to make ends meet while pursuing a career in another aspect of music (composing), but is slowly drawn in to the wonder and beauty of teaching music to high school kids. In the end he realizes that as he retires, the thousands of students he has taught over his career are his most important opus, and will have far more impact on the future than any composition he might have written. It can be a bit corny in spots, but on the whole, for me, it is deeply meaningful.
Name a musician who is relatively unknown, but whose work you think everyone should hear. Name examples of recordings if possible.
Bobby McFerrin is a singer/composer who is relatively unknown and if people do know of him, it may only be through his 1988 Top 40 hit “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” but you really don’t get the full picture of this man’s capabilities from that one song. He is perhaps the most amazing vocal artist I have had the pleasure of hearing in the past 40 years. His live, one-man concerts are jaw-dropping. He has the ability to sing a bass line, accompaniment, and melodic line all at the same time one note at a time but arranged so cleverly that you can’t believe all that music is coming from just one set of vocal chords.
To become further aquainted with his work I would recommend listening to two albums: Voice and Spontaneous Inventions. You’re in for a real treat!
Who was your most important/inspiring teacher/mentor and why?
Without a doubt, my most important music teacher and mentor was my father. He was not a trained musician or a singer, but what he imparted to me through years of personal example was that music was fun, it could be something you can do your whole life, and it can be approached on a lot of different skill levels for enjoyment. He taught my brothers and me how to sing vocal harmonies and to be part-independent when we were not yet in first grade! As we grew older, it became a family tradition to ‘bring out the books’ after dinner and sing four-part men choral arrangements. This simple love of the choral art was deeply etched on my soul by my dad, and I have tried to pass that tradition on to my two sons and daughter as well. It all started with a man who loved to sing.
What was the most unusual performance you've given? Or most unusual venue you've performed at?
I think the most unusual performance I ever gave was in the summer of 1968 when my rock band, The Spectras, opened for the Beach Boys at the Hampton Beach Casino. There were over 6,000 people jammed shoulder to shoulder on the floor, so that when you looked out at the crowd from the stage, all you saw was a floating sea of heads. It felt like we were on a bobbing life raft, and before long I actually began to experience some motion sickness! I looked over at the other guys in the band and they were looking a little green also! But we put on our stage face and drove on through the set without getting sick.
At what age did you decide to become a professional musician or artist? How did you come to that decision?
I was 17 years old and a freshman at UNH majoring in Chemical Engineering. I could do the science and the math, but I just felt that I wasn’t emotionally invested in that career path. I wanted to be two things – for the near term, I wanted to be a touring rock and roll star, and for the long term I wanted to be a high school music teacher. The rock star thing actually came to fruition on a regional level. As I look back at that experience, it was simply a way to feed my giant teenage ego and to get girls to notice me. The teaching thing went much deeper. I had had some wonderful high school music teachers, and I wanted to pass that experience on to other high school kids.
What is your favorite movie about an artist or musician?
I think my favorite movie about a musician is “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” probably because I feel like I’m watching my own life story when I see that film. I love the way he begins teaching music as a way to make ends meet while pursuing a career in another aspect of music (composing), but is slowly drawn in to the wonder and beauty of teaching music to high school kids. In the end he realizes that as he retires, the thousands of students he has taught over his career are his most important opus, and will have far more impact on the future than any composition he might have written. It can be a bit corny in spots, but on the whole, for me, it is deeply meaningful.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Faculty Guest - Jose Duque
In October, several of the PMAC faculty will be featured on the blog. I've asked all of them a series of questions - ten questions to be exact - and asked them to answer at least four of them, to be posted on the blog. Today we begin with Jose Duque, who answered eight of the ten questions. Jose is the drum instructor for PMAC. For more about Jose and his music, visit his website www.zumbatres.com.
Name a musician who is relatively unknown, but whose work you think everyone should hear. Name examples of recordings if possible.
Nguyen Le' , an incredible French guitarist of Vietnamese descent, very unortodox way of playing, and great compositions, I would recomend, his album BAKIDA, it's gorgeus
Who was your most important/inspiring teacher/mentor and why?
I think mentors change according to your growth as a person and musician, at the beginning were all those drummers in the records I listened to, Bruford, Peart, Taylor, Mosley, Negus...then my drum teacher back home, a Cuban Master drummer, nick named Tutty, as of late in life, Jon Hazilla, my teacher at Berklee....a great source from whom I learned jazz, and lately my friend from back home, Pablo Bencid, a superb drummer, and a friend
What was the most unusual performance you've given?
Playing at a beauty pageant contests back home, in which after setting up, we never got a chance to play because time constrictions.
What was the most recent concert you attended? Did you like it? Why or why not?
RADIOHEAD, incredible, I like it coz it was definitelly a conveying of how rock music should sound today, incredible songwriting craftsmanship and performance
What album/CD do you love to listen to that you think others would be surprised to hear you like?
ARVO PART, TE DEUM, Scandinavian composer, very subtle and beautiful
At what age did you decide to become a professional musician or artist? How did you come to that decision?
I played drums since I was 12, but it wasn't until I was in college back home that I started doing gigs, around 23 I decided that Psychology wasn't my thing, so i went to music school, was hard, my dad didn't talk to me for 3 or 4 months
As a child, who was your favorite composer or artist? Are they still among your favorites? Why or why not?
BILL BRUFORD, and still is!!
What is your favorite movie about an artist or musician?
BIRD, by Clint Eastwood
Name a musician who is relatively unknown, but whose work you think everyone should hear. Name examples of recordings if possible.
Nguyen Le' , an incredible French guitarist of Vietnamese descent, very unortodox way of playing, and great compositions, I would recomend, his album BAKIDA, it's gorgeus
Who was your most important/inspiring teacher/mentor and why?
I think mentors change according to your growth as a person and musician, at the beginning were all those drummers in the records I listened to, Bruford, Peart, Taylor, Mosley, Negus...then my drum teacher back home, a Cuban Master drummer, nick named Tutty, as of late in life, Jon Hazilla, my teacher at Berklee....a great source from whom I learned jazz, and lately my friend from back home, Pablo Bencid, a superb drummer, and a friend
What was the most unusual performance you've given?
Playing at a beauty pageant contests back home, in which after setting up, we never got a chance to play because time constrictions.
What was the most recent concert you attended? Did you like it? Why or why not?
RADIOHEAD, incredible, I like it coz it was definitelly a conveying of how rock music should sound today, incredible songwriting craftsmanship and performance
What album/CD do you love to listen to that you think others would be surprised to hear you like?
ARVO PART, TE DEUM, Scandinavian composer, very subtle and beautiful
At what age did you decide to become a professional musician or artist? How did you come to that decision?
I played drums since I was 12, but it wasn't until I was in college back home that I started doing gigs, around 23 I decided that Psychology wasn't my thing, so i went to music school, was hard, my dad didn't talk to me for 3 or 4 months
As a child, who was your favorite composer or artist? Are they still among your favorites? Why or why not?
BILL BRUFORD, and still is!!
What is your favorite movie about an artist or musician?
BIRD, by Clint Eastwood
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Mission Accomplished (month 1)
If you've been reading along, you'll remember my post of September 1st, when I decided to choose a daily challenge for each month of the coming year (September - August) and stick to whatever I chose to do. If it is not obvious, I chose to write every day in my blog for the month of Septmber. With this entry, I've accomplished that goal. It wasn't as difficult as I first thought, though I think it is the first time I've actually written every day for a month. My hope is that it has become a habit and I'll continue to write regularly in the blog. Which, in a way, is my hope for every activity I choose.
So, for the month of October, I will be writing a new work for solo piano. My goal is to compose every day of the month, and end up with a new work for solo piano on October 31st. I'll write about this journey in my blog, so I don't abandon all the work I did in September.
And if you have been reading, thanks for coming along for the ride.
So, for the month of October, I will be writing a new work for solo piano. My goal is to compose every day of the month, and end up with a new work for solo piano on October 31st. I'll write about this journey in my blog, so I don't abandon all the work I did in September.
And if you have been reading, thanks for coming along for the ride.
Monday, September 29, 2008
More on scales in thirds
To add to the previous post, once you've mastered the G major scale in thirds (for saxophonists - I recommend different scale starting points depending on the instrument) you can try the same process on other scales. C major naturally comes next (pun intended), and then I recommend F major. Then D major and B-flat major. With the exception of G major, these scales can be played up and down two full octaves. (G major can too, once you learn your altissimo range - but I'll save that topic for another day.)
Once you've mastered these first five major scales, I recommend moving on to minor scales, using the melodic minor at first. Many good saxophone instruction books introduce the major and minor scales, so I won't go into detail here about the various scale degrees - I'll just say that playing scales, including playing them in thirds, is a wonderful way to improve your playing ability.
Putting these ideas on the blog make me think that I should take the time to write a method book. I've been teaching saxophone now for over 20 years and its time I share some of what I've learned with others. The trick will be finding the time to write it! We'll see...
Once you've mastered these first five major scales, I recommend moving on to minor scales, using the melodic minor at first. Many good saxophone instruction books introduce the major and minor scales, so I won't go into detail here about the various scale degrees - I'll just say that playing scales, including playing them in thirds, is a wonderful way to improve your playing ability.
Putting these ideas on the blog make me think that I should take the time to write a method book. I've been teaching saxophone now for over 20 years and its time I share some of what I've learned with others. The trick will be finding the time to write it! We'll see...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Scales in thirds
I just received an e-mail from one of my Chautauqua saxophonists - so wonderful to hear from her. In the e-mail she asked about playing scales in thirds, an exercise I introduced to the Chautauqua saxophonists during the camp. Playing thirds in G major is a great warm-up on saxophone. Just remember that the notes are the same as a G major scale:
G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G
When you ascend a scale playing in thirds, you skip a note, and then come back down to the note you skipped, then repeat the process, until you descend to the high G:
Starting on low G:
G - B - A - C - B - D - C - E - D - F# - E - G - F# - A - G
(Ending on high G)
Coming back down the scale, you again skip a note, and then come back up to the note you skipped and repeat:
Starting on high G:
G - E - F# - D - E - C - D - B - C - A - B - G - A - F# - G
(Ending on low G)
Practice this slowly, and try to hear the pattern. It is best to learn it well enough to play by memory.
I'll try to post more tips for saxophonists in the future, since I hear some of the Chautauqua saxes have been reading this blog. Let me know what you think in the comments section! Or feel free to e-mail me at russ@pmaconline.org.
G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G
When you ascend a scale playing in thirds, you skip a note, and then come back down to the note you skipped, then repeat the process, until you descend to the high G:
Starting on low G:
G - B - A - C - B - D - C - E - D - F# - E - G - F# - A - G
(Ending on high G)
Coming back down the scale, you again skip a note, and then come back up to the note you skipped and repeat:
Starting on high G:
G - E - F# - D - E - C - D - B - C - A - B - G - A - F# - G
(Ending on low G)
Practice this slowly, and try to hear the pattern. It is best to learn it well enough to play by memory.
I'll try to post more tips for saxophonists in the future, since I hear some of the Chautauqua saxes have been reading this blog. Let me know what you think in the comments section! Or feel free to e-mail me at russ@pmaconline.org.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Turn that frown upsidedown
I just wrote a mammoth review of last night's Ben Folds concert at the Orpheum in Boston and the internet swallowed it whole. It's gone. And I don't have the energy to rewrite it. So here are a few bullet points.
- Good show, almost great. Solid performances by Folds and the band. Great to hear strong three- and four-part harmonies in a rock setting. A rarity these days.
- The show was all new material from the upcoming CD "Way to Normal". Doesn't come out till next Tuesday. Good stuff, but the atmosphere was a bit subdued since the fans haven't had a chance to learn the new songs.
- Five or six great encores after a very short show. He played fan favorites at that point (Zak and Sarah, Rockin' the Suburbs, Underground, Landed, more) and the energy changed dramatically. It became a ROCK SHOW during the encores.
- No shout out to Regina Spektor when performing the new song "You Don't Know Me" which he recorded with her. What's up with that?
- No shout out the Boston's hometown girl Amanda Palmer who just released her new CD, "Who Killed Amanda Palmer", last week. Folds produced it. No friendly reminder to the hometown crowd to run out and buy it? Come on. Amanda's been pushing "Way to Normal" during her tour and sharing her love for Folds with her fans. Return the favor, dude.
- It was the BEN show, through and through. Why not show off some of the amazing support cast. When touring with musicians that good, share the spotlight a little.
- This is ROCK, dude. A show that is shorter than 90 minutes doesn't cut it.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Ben Folds TONIGHT
Heading to see Ben Folds tonight at the Orpheum in Boston with Katie. Anticipating an amazing show. We've never seen him in concert and we're really looking forward to it. Tomorrow night it will be the Yard Dogs at The Music Hall. One of the perks of being a musician/music educator is the need to stay on top of the music scene - meaning we make it a point to get out to as many shows as possible. And I encourage everyone else to do the same. Few things are as rewarding as a good evening of live music.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Middle School Open House
Yes, my 11 year old hit middle school this year. Tonight was the open house for 6th grade parents. And I have to say that there were a few inspiring teachers in the mix. All of the teachers seemed good, competitent. Even "highly qualified."* But I'm happy to say that Max has a few that are truly inspirational. I hope he has a landmark year.
This is about the age where education starts to get serious. I think that's because this is about the time a child's social world and educational world begin to seperate. In elementary school there is a bit of a melding between social and educational. But now school is work, hopefully challenging work, and fun is fun (and a lot of that fun happens away from the classroom). This is not to say that education shouldn't be or isn't fun. The teachers are working to help the students find passion in every field. But passion is different than entertainment. And it was obvious tonight that a few of the teachers really do get that distinction, are passionate about what they do, and will most likely inspire passion in the students they teach. That's a tall order, but one worth delivering.
* the designation the State of New Hampshire now gives to teachers they deem qualified to teach a specific subject.
This is about the age where education starts to get serious. I think that's because this is about the time a child's social world and educational world begin to seperate. In elementary school there is a bit of a melding between social and educational. But now school is work, hopefully challenging work, and fun is fun (and a lot of that fun happens away from the classroom). This is not to say that education shouldn't be or isn't fun. The teachers are working to help the students find passion in every field. But passion is different than entertainment. And it was obvious tonight that a few of the teachers really do get that distinction, are passionate about what they do, and will most likely inspire passion in the students they teach. That's a tall order, but one worth delivering.
* the designation the State of New Hampshire now gives to teachers they deem qualified to teach a specific subject.
Shelfari
Now you can see what I'm reading. And maybe I'll keep my shelfari account up to date if I see it everytime I write in my blog!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Fanboy
"Who Killed Amanda Palmer" finally arrived in the mail today, 8 days late. But the CD is autographed by both Amanda and Ben Folds. Katie will be thrilled. We see Ben Folds at the Orpheum in Boston this Friday night. And though you can't really see in the photo, I'm wearing the new t-shirt that I bought with the CD, which says "I Killed Amanda Palmer."
A Saxophonist is Awarded a MacArthur Genius Grant
I was thrilled to learn music historian Alex Ross, author of "The Rest is Noise", won a 2008 MacArthur Genius Grant ($500,000 over 5 years, NO STRINGS ATTACHED!), but was even more plesantly surprised to learn that a jazz saxophonist was one of the 25 recipients this year. I actually don't know the music of Miguel Zenón, but you can bet I'll be searching the web and my local CD store for anything I can find. Here is his bio, as it appears on the MacArthur website:
Miguel Zenón is a young jazz musician who is expanding the boundaries of Latin and jazz music through his elegant and innovative musical collages. As both a saxophonist and a composer, Zenón demonstrates an astonishing mastery of old and new jazz idioms, from Afro-Caribbean and Latin American rhythmical concepts to free and avant-garde jazz. Beginning with his 2001 recording Looking Forward, Zenón has exhibited a high degree of daring and sophistication in the manipulation of conventional jazz forms. His third album, JÃbaro (2005), illuminates his intense engagement with the indigenous music of his native Puerto Rico. Forgoing the Afro-Caribbean sound that characterizes most Latin jazz, Zenón was inspired by la música jÃbara – string-based folkloric music popular in the Puerto Rican countryside. Unlike other attempts to fuse jazz and jÃbaro, which have retained the traditional instrumentation with little harmonic variation, in Zenón’s hands the essential elements of jÃbaro serve as the compositional and rhythmic underpinning of his contemporary jazz arrangements. The result is a complex yet accessible sound that is overflowing with feeling and passion and maintains the integrity of the island’s music. This young musician and composer is at once reestablishing the artistic, cultural, and social tradition of jazz while creating an entirely new jazz language for the 21st century.
Miguel Zenón received a B.A. (1998) from the Berklee College of Music and an M.A. (2001) from the Manhattan School of Music. His additional recordings include Ceremonial (2004) and Awake (2008). He has performed at venues and in festivals throughout the United States and abroad, including the Jazz Standard, the Village Vanguard, and Carnegie Hall.
Miguel Zenón is a young jazz musician who is expanding the boundaries of Latin and jazz music through his elegant and innovative musical collages. As both a saxophonist and a composer, Zenón demonstrates an astonishing mastery of old and new jazz idioms, from Afro-Caribbean and Latin American rhythmical concepts to free and avant-garde jazz. Beginning with his 2001 recording Looking Forward, Zenón has exhibited a high degree of daring and sophistication in the manipulation of conventional jazz forms. His third album, JÃbaro (2005), illuminates his intense engagement with the indigenous music of his native Puerto Rico. Forgoing the Afro-Caribbean sound that characterizes most Latin jazz, Zenón was inspired by la música jÃbara – string-based folkloric music popular in the Puerto Rican countryside. Unlike other attempts to fuse jazz and jÃbaro, which have retained the traditional instrumentation with little harmonic variation, in Zenón’s hands the essential elements of jÃbaro serve as the compositional and rhythmic underpinning of his contemporary jazz arrangements. The result is a complex yet accessible sound that is overflowing with feeling and passion and maintains the integrity of the island’s music. This young musician and composer is at once reestablishing the artistic, cultural, and social tradition of jazz while creating an entirely new jazz language for the 21st century.
Miguel Zenón received a B.A. (1998) from the Berklee College of Music and an M.A. (2001) from the Manhattan School of Music. His additional recordings include Ceremonial (2004) and Awake (2008). He has performed at venues and in festivals throughout the United States and abroad, including the Jazz Standard, the Village Vanguard, and Carnegie Hall.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Chautauqua - part four
This is part four in a multi-part post. To read from the beginning, click here.
On the final day, the three bands, chorus and orchestra play for each other in a "concert." Roy Ernst, founder of New Horizons and the camp, tells everyone that it is not really a "concert" but more of a "show-and-tell" opportunity. The philosophy of New Horizons supports the enjoyment of music making, and the pressure to perform can often detract from that enjoyment, so performance is never the focus. Music is.
The "concert" went swimmingly and everyone had a fabulous time. The beautiful concert hall was a great setting for the culmination of five days work. Here are some photos from that morning:
After the concert, it was time to say our goodbyes and head home. I really enjoyed meeting and working with everyone. I do have to say it was quite special to work with the Band 1 woodwind section - I ended up spending 3 - 4 hours each day playing music with them. Here we are, together after the final concert:
The final aspect of the week for me was to be interviewed by a film crew that is working on a documentary about New Horizons Band. It really has become quite a special organization, led by a very special man who had a vision. His belief that adults can come into music later in life, particularly ensemble playing, was more groundbreaking than it probably should have been. It's one of those ideas that comes along and eveyone thinks, "why haven't we been doing this all along?" Whatever the reasons, Roy has made it happen, and many lives are the better for it. Just before leaving, Roy's wife took the picture below of Roy and I. Thanks, Roy, for everything. It was a glorious week.
On the final day, the three bands, chorus and orchestra play for each other in a "concert." Roy Ernst, founder of New Horizons and the camp, tells everyone that it is not really a "concert" but more of a "show-and-tell" opportunity. The philosophy of New Horizons supports the enjoyment of music making, and the pressure to perform can often detract from that enjoyment, so performance is never the focus. Music is.
The "concert" went swimmingly and everyone had a fabulous time. The beautiful concert hall was a great setting for the culmination of five days work. Here are some photos from that morning:
After the concert, it was time to say our goodbyes and head home. I really enjoyed meeting and working with everyone. I do have to say it was quite special to work with the Band 1 woodwind section - I ended up spending 3 - 4 hours each day playing music with them. Here we are, together after the final concert:
The final aspect of the week for me was to be interviewed by a film crew that is working on a documentary about New Horizons Band. It really has become quite a special organization, led by a very special man who had a vision. His belief that adults can come into music later in life, particularly ensemble playing, was more groundbreaking than it probably should have been. It's one of those ideas that comes along and eveyone thinks, "why haven't we been doing this all along?" Whatever the reasons, Roy has made it happen, and many lives are the better for it. Just before leaving, Roy's wife took the picture below of Roy and I. Thanks, Roy, for everything. It was a glorious week.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Chautauqua - part three
This is part three in a multi-part post. To read from the beginning, click here.
My evenings (after the first night of tropical storm craziness) were spent at the Bellinger dining hall playing jazz with the camp faculty and some campers. The dining hall would begin to fill around 9 p.m. and we'd play jazz as people danced, or sat and listened. The audience was friendly, and it was nice to finish each day playing.
On the next to last day, Wednesday, many of the small ensembles performed in the dining room. Ensembles played during lunch, dinner and in the evening. My saxophone ensembles played in the evening. It was wonderful to hear everything come together after such a short time. And the variety of ensembles was amazing. Beginner harmonica players, musical theater, dixieland, jazz lab, clarinet choirs, french horn choir, cello choir, Mexican mariachi band, German band, and much more. The campers were up for anything. Here are a few photos from the Wednesday performances:
During the Wednesday evening performances, beer and wine was served as well as hors d'oeuvres. A true party atmosphere. It eased some of the tension as everyone anticipated the large ensemble concert that would take place on the last day of camp.
Continue reading with part four here.
My evenings (after the first night of tropical storm craziness) were spent at the Bellinger dining hall playing jazz with the camp faculty and some campers. The dining hall would begin to fill around 9 p.m. and we'd play jazz as people danced, or sat and listened. The audience was friendly, and it was nice to finish each day playing.
On the next to last day, Wednesday, many of the small ensembles performed in the dining room. Ensembles played during lunch, dinner and in the evening. My saxophone ensembles played in the evening. It was wonderful to hear everything come together after such a short time. And the variety of ensembles was amazing. Beginner harmonica players, musical theater, dixieland, jazz lab, clarinet choirs, french horn choir, cello choir, Mexican mariachi band, German band, and much more. The campers were up for anything. Here are a few photos from the Wednesday performances:
During the Wednesday evening performances, beer and wine was served as well as hors d'oeuvres. A true party atmosphere. It eased some of the tension as everyone anticipated the large ensemble concert that would take place on the last day of camp.
Continue reading with part four here.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Chautauqua - part two
This is part two in a multi-part post. To read from the beginning, click here.
After the balmy 80s of the tropical storm on Sunday, the weather returned to a much more seasonable 60s-70s for the remainder of the week. On Monday I began working with the saxophone ensembles and in sectionals with the Band 1 woodwinds. I took a chamber music approach to the ensembles, and opted to keep everyone together. In retrospect, some of the music may have been a bit too challenging for three consecutive days of rehearsal followed by one performance, but I made a conscious decision to challenge the players, rather than pick repertoire that was sight-readable. There is probably a happy-medium that I missed, but I think that if I erred, it was on the right side - adventurous rather than cautious.
The repertoire we played included:
Basin Street Blues
To Yonder Lovely Grove
a Brahms Chorale
Fly Me to the Moon
Vignette
I'll post details on how to obtain this music in a later post, for those interested in ordering copies and trying them out.
One of my goals for the week, which we did acheive, was to combine as many saxophones from all of the ensembles into one monster sax ensemble. I think we ended up with 22 or 23 saxes all in one group performing To Yonder Lovely Grove. Here are some rehearsal photos of the monseter group, taken during our only full rehearsal on Wednesday:
Working with the saxophones was my primary responsibility for the week, and I divided my time between sax ensembles and Band 1. I really enjoyed getting to know the New Horizons players. They were truly excited about playing sax and making music, with wonderful questions about embouchure, fingering, and other technical aspects of playing. The word to describe their interest in music is PASSION. They love it. They are there to make music. Sure, socializing is a major component of the camp. But it is an outgrowth of the music-making.
Over the course of the three days, the ensembles came a long way. Musicianship improved. Music was made. It was all so fast - a whirlwind. It is hard to digest, being used to 18-week semesters, with week-long breaks between rehearsals or lessons. The idea of cramming everything into five total days is strange, if born of necessity. And the sax ensembles really only had three days - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday rehearsals with a Wednesday performance.
I wonder if I'm too intense for this type of environment. I enjoyed it, and would go back if invited, but I think I need to learn to be more laid back. Those who know me outside of music consider me very laid back. But they haven't rehearsed with me. I try not to create stress in rehearsals. But I am intense, with a lot to accomplish in a short period of time. The New Horizons musicians rose to the challenge. I just hope it was a positive experience for everyone involved. It certainly was for me.
To continue reading with part three, click here.
After the balmy 80s of the tropical storm on Sunday, the weather returned to a much more seasonable 60s-70s for the remainder of the week. On Monday I began working with the saxophone ensembles and in sectionals with the Band 1 woodwinds. I took a chamber music approach to the ensembles, and opted to keep everyone together. In retrospect, some of the music may have been a bit too challenging for three consecutive days of rehearsal followed by one performance, but I made a conscious decision to challenge the players, rather than pick repertoire that was sight-readable. There is probably a happy-medium that I missed, but I think that if I erred, it was on the right side - adventurous rather than cautious.
The repertoire we played included:
Basin Street Blues
To Yonder Lovely Grove
a Brahms Chorale
Fly Me to the Moon
Vignette
I'll post details on how to obtain this music in a later post, for those interested in ordering copies and trying them out.
One of my goals for the week, which we did acheive, was to combine as many saxophones from all of the ensembles into one monster sax ensemble. I think we ended up with 22 or 23 saxes all in one group performing To Yonder Lovely Grove. Here are some rehearsal photos of the monseter group, taken during our only full rehearsal on Wednesday:
Working with the saxophones was my primary responsibility for the week, and I divided my time between sax ensembles and Band 1. I really enjoyed getting to know the New Horizons players. They were truly excited about playing sax and making music, with wonderful questions about embouchure, fingering, and other technical aspects of playing. The word to describe their interest in music is PASSION. They love it. They are there to make music. Sure, socializing is a major component of the camp. But it is an outgrowth of the music-making.
Over the course of the three days, the ensembles came a long way. Musicianship improved. Music was made. It was all so fast - a whirlwind. It is hard to digest, being used to 18-week semesters, with week-long breaks between rehearsals or lessons. The idea of cramming everything into five total days is strange, if born of necessity. And the sax ensembles really only had three days - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday rehearsals with a Wednesday performance.
I wonder if I'm too intense for this type of environment. I enjoyed it, and would go back if invited, but I think I need to learn to be more laid back. Those who know me outside of music consider me very laid back. But they haven't rehearsed with me. I try not to create stress in rehearsals. But I am intense, with a lot to accomplish in a short period of time. The New Horizons musicians rose to the challenge. I just hope it was a positive experience for everyone involved. It certainly was for me.
To continue reading with part three, click here.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Chautauqua - part one
I am home, sitting at my laptop in my kitchen, finally finding time to write about my Chautauqua adventure. I'll have to do this in parts, since there is so much to convey.
In the spring I was invited to teach saxophone at the International New Horizons Band Camp at the Chautauqua Institute in NY. I quickly accepted the invite, knowing that this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity - though I really hope to be invited back after having an amazing week.
The New Horizons Band is a program created in 1989 by Roy Ernst, now professer emeritus at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. The concept is to give adults, particularly those over the age of 50, an entry point into ensemble music. In American culture, the opportunity to join a band and play as you learn your instrument stops after elementary school. At least it did until Roy created this program. New Horizons is like a "fifth grade band" for adults. You can pick up an instrument and play in a concert band as you learn the instrument. It is an inspiring program. Roy began with about 40 adults in one band in Rochester, NY. There are now well over 100 bands world wide. I haven't counted lately, but I'd bet it's over 200 bands by this point. I've been conducting the Portsmouth New Horizons Band since it was founded in 2003. But more on that later - back to the camp.
Tom and I arrived at Chautauqua on Sunday afternoon. It was essentially a 10 hour drive from Portsmouth that we spread out over two days. Upon arrival, I was suprised to find a densely populated colony at the Institute. Houses are built very close together and the streets are very narrow. Here are some examples of the streetscapes:
After checking in, we were sent to our first rehearsals of the camp. The camp offers a wide variety of music classes for the campers - everything from chamber music ensembles to blues or dixeland bands to musical theater or Dalcroze movement. But all participants fall into one of five large ensembles: Band 1, 2, or 3, Orchestra, or Chorus. I would be spending a majority of my time working with Band 1. These are the musicians who are new to their instrument - most of whom had be playing for less than a year. They were an enthusiastic group and really fun to work with. We rehearsed in McKnight Hall, a beautiful small theater with an audience capacity of approx. 100. Here are some photos from a rehearsal break:
The Band 1 woodwind section was a trio - Holly on flute, Barb on clarinet and Fran on alto saxophone. Here's a great shot of the honorary fourth member of the woodwind section, Barb's assistant Abby:
Band 1 was a small group - only 8 musicians. This is a scenario I (and many other New Horizons Band directors) am familiar with. There initially was a great deal of apprehension about the lack of doubling - pretty much only one player per part. But the instrumentation was well balanced for such a small group: flute, clarinet, alto sax, four trumpets, trombone. I knew from the start that it would work. But with only four days to rehearse, work would be the key word.
On that first day, Sunday, we rehearsed in the afternoon, had dinner together in Bellinger Hall with the entire camp, and then rehearsed again in the evening. The camp was off to a great start.
I stayed at the Carey Cottage Inn during the camp, a nice, fairly large inn in the center of the Institute. On the first night, hurricane Ike ripped through the campus, downgraded to a tropical storm by that point, but still intense. It had pushed tropical air all the way to New York, and when I returned to the Inn at 9 p.m. it was extremely windy and near 90 degrees - way hotter than typical for a mid-September night.
When I got to my room, the sirens started going off. I immediately thought they were tornado warnings, and it didn't suprise me the was the wind was howling outside my window. I got into bed and then at one point the entire room shook. It was so quick and violent I was ready for a tornado to rip the roof off the inn. But then things began to calm down.
The next morning I learned that a 75 foot tall tree had fallen on the inn. That was why the building shook. It fell on the opposite side of the building from where I was staying, so I was not alerted. But the guests on that side of the inn were relocated to other rooms. The tree was precariously perched against the building and the innkeepers were worried that another gust could bring it crashing through the walls. Here are some pictures from the next morning:
They came to cut down the tree that day, but I was able to get before and after pictures. Quite a way to start the week!
Continue reading with part two here.
In the spring I was invited to teach saxophone at the International New Horizons Band Camp at the Chautauqua Institute in NY. I quickly accepted the invite, knowing that this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity - though I really hope to be invited back after having an amazing week.
The New Horizons Band is a program created in 1989 by Roy Ernst, now professer emeritus at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. The concept is to give adults, particularly those over the age of 50, an entry point into ensemble music. In American culture, the opportunity to join a band and play as you learn your instrument stops after elementary school. At least it did until Roy created this program. New Horizons is like a "fifth grade band" for adults. You can pick up an instrument and play in a concert band as you learn the instrument. It is an inspiring program. Roy began with about 40 adults in one band in Rochester, NY. There are now well over 100 bands world wide. I haven't counted lately, but I'd bet it's over 200 bands by this point. I've been conducting the Portsmouth New Horizons Band since it was founded in 2003. But more on that later - back to the camp.
Tom and I arrived at Chautauqua on Sunday afternoon. It was essentially a 10 hour drive from Portsmouth that we spread out over two days. Upon arrival, I was suprised to find a densely populated colony at the Institute. Houses are built very close together and the streets are very narrow. Here are some examples of the streetscapes:
After checking in, we were sent to our first rehearsals of the camp. The camp offers a wide variety of music classes for the campers - everything from chamber music ensembles to blues or dixeland bands to musical theater or Dalcroze movement. But all participants fall into one of five large ensembles: Band 1, 2, or 3, Orchestra, or Chorus. I would be spending a majority of my time working with Band 1. These are the musicians who are new to their instrument - most of whom had be playing for less than a year. They were an enthusiastic group and really fun to work with. We rehearsed in McKnight Hall, a beautiful small theater with an audience capacity of approx. 100. Here are some photos from a rehearsal break:
The Band 1 woodwind section was a trio - Holly on flute, Barb on clarinet and Fran on alto saxophone. Here's a great shot of the honorary fourth member of the woodwind section, Barb's assistant Abby:
Band 1 was a small group - only 8 musicians. This is a scenario I (and many other New Horizons Band directors) am familiar with. There initially was a great deal of apprehension about the lack of doubling - pretty much only one player per part. But the instrumentation was well balanced for such a small group: flute, clarinet, alto sax, four trumpets, trombone. I knew from the start that it would work. But with only four days to rehearse, work would be the key word.
On that first day, Sunday, we rehearsed in the afternoon, had dinner together in Bellinger Hall with the entire camp, and then rehearsed again in the evening. The camp was off to a great start.
I stayed at the Carey Cottage Inn during the camp, a nice, fairly large inn in the center of the Institute. On the first night, hurricane Ike ripped through the campus, downgraded to a tropical storm by that point, but still intense. It had pushed tropical air all the way to New York, and when I returned to the Inn at 9 p.m. it was extremely windy and near 90 degrees - way hotter than typical for a mid-September night.
When I got to my room, the sirens started going off. I immediately thought they were tornado warnings, and it didn't suprise me the was the wind was howling outside my window. I got into bed and then at one point the entire room shook. It was so quick and violent I was ready for a tornado to rip the roof off the inn. But then things began to calm down.
The next morning I learned that a 75 foot tall tree had fallen on the inn. That was why the building shook. It fell on the opposite side of the building from where I was staying, so I was not alerted. But the guests on that side of the inn were relocated to other rooms. The tree was precariously perched against the building and the innkeepers were worried that another gust could bring it crashing through the walls. Here are some pictures from the next morning:
They came to cut down the tree that day, but I was able to get before and after pictures. Quite a way to start the week!
Continue reading with part two here.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday
The above photo was taken on a day I spent at the beach (all by myself!) about one month ago. It was still on my camera and I uploaded it to my computer with the Chautauqua pictures I've been promising. It was a beautiful morning, and then fog quickly descended on the beach, the temperature dropped about 10-15 degrees quickly, the wind picked up, and it started to rain. I still had a great day. After spending an amazing week with about 250 wonderful people, I'm ready for some down time with the family, and - if I dare - a few hours all alone. Life is all about balance, right?
Anyone who thinks those in their 20s have no work ethic, read this. Beth is an amazing human being and is as passionate about her work (which I bet pays next to nothing) as anyone I've ever met. Hang in there Beth. We've all had weeks like this!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monster Saxophone Ensemble
My saxophone "students" at the 2008 New Horizons Band Camp at Chautauqua in New York. The photo was taken after a rehearsal of "To Yonder Lovely Grove". The 22 piece ensemble gave a wonderful performance that evening. Bravo.
My Chautauqua adventure has come to an end. I plan to write a series of reflections here in the coming days. I just had to post this photo because I kept saying I would post photos and never managed to find the time to do it while at the camp. They really keep you running. But I'm happy to report that I'm returning home with many photos which I WILL post in the coming days.
Tonight I stay in Corning, NY and tomorrow I return home. Looking very much forward to seeing Katie and the boys - I've been missing them!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
First Final Day
I think of this camp as having two "final" days, and today is the first. I only get to meet with my classes for three days - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (today). Tonight, my students will perform the music they worked on with me. The band 1 & 2 saxes are combined and will play a couple of pieces, and the Band 3 saxes will play a couple as well. And, hopefully, we might take our monster piece with everyone and find a time to play it for an audience. It's going to be a long, but rewarding day.
Tomorrow will be the second and actual "final" day of the camp. At 9 a.m., all of the camp's large ensembles will perform for each other. I've been rehearsing with Band 1 and will sit in with them. They have done a wonderful job - most of the players have played their instruments for less than a year and I think all logged less than two years playing time!
I highly recommend this camp for any adult who plays a band or orchestral instrument. It is primarily populated by New Horizons Band members from throughout the country and Canada, most of whom are over 55 and retired. But I don't think membership in a band is a requirement. (Though if there is a New Horizons Band near you, that is definitely the place to start.) It is an amazing opportunity to make music with others. And I can tell you that the most advanced band is playing wonderfully challenging repertoire - nothing to sneeze at if you have quite a bit of playing experience. One of their pieces I last performed in my college wind ensemble at The Boston Conservatory. So even if you're quite advanced and have played for years, there is something here for you. And if you've only played a few months - come join us in the "green" band. You'll have the time of your life.
Tomorrow will be the second and actual "final" day of the camp. At 9 a.m., all of the camp's large ensembles will perform for each other. I've been rehearsing with Band 1 and will sit in with them. They have done a wonderful job - most of the players have played their instruments for less than a year and I think all logged less than two years playing time!
I highly recommend this camp for any adult who plays a band or orchestral instrument. It is primarily populated by New Horizons Band members from throughout the country and Canada, most of whom are over 55 and retired. But I don't think membership in a band is a requirement. (Though if there is a New Horizons Band near you, that is definitely the place to start.) It is an amazing opportunity to make music with others. And I can tell you that the most advanced band is playing wonderfully challenging repertoire - nothing to sneeze at if you have quite a bit of playing experience. One of their pieces I last performed in my college wind ensemble at The Boston Conservatory. So even if you're quite advanced and have played for years, there is something here for you. And if you've only played a few months - come join us in the "green" band. You'll have the time of your life.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
More fun than you can shake a stick at
OK. This has been an EXHAUSTING three days. Two to go. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
My saxophone ensembles are wonderful. We are having a blast getting together and playing in the mornings. I'm combining all of my students from all three bands into a monster sax ensemble tomorrow. It's going to be a blast.
The band 1 students are an inspiration. They remind me why I need to start another beginner group as soon as I get back to Portsmouth. I need to do it this winter! If you want to join, let me know!
Tonight we combined bands 1 & 2 for rehearsal and the band 1 students got to play two of of the band 2 pieces. Then band 1 played for Band 2. The Band 2 members who were sitting next to Band 1 members read along and augmented the group. It was a great time and we will do this in Thursday's concert.
Tonight I played an hour of jazz with the faculty and some students in the dining hall. Some great tunes: Ain't Misbehavin', Blue Monk, Stella By Starlight, Night Train, The Lady is a Tramp, and more. The students all gather in the dining room for this performance and they are a fantastic audience.
Then I finished my evening with a walk back to the inn, where I sit writing this. I listened to some of the new Amanda Palmer CD on my MP3 player on the way back as I walked in the dark. Thanks again to Amanda's crew for making it available for download last week. The CD was released today and I'd be seriously bummed if I didn't already have my copy here.
Again exhausted. I PROMISE to take some photos and post them. I'll probably be writing about this for weeks, when I finally have some time and energy. For now, they keep me running here. And don't even ask me about having to carry the baritone sax around in its "lead" case today.
Good night!
My saxophone ensembles are wonderful. We are having a blast getting together and playing in the mornings. I'm combining all of my students from all three bands into a monster sax ensemble tomorrow. It's going to be a blast.
The band 1 students are an inspiration. They remind me why I need to start another beginner group as soon as I get back to Portsmouth. I need to do it this winter! If you want to join, let me know!
Tonight we combined bands 1 & 2 for rehearsal and the band 1 students got to play two of of the band 2 pieces. Then band 1 played for Band 2. The Band 2 members who were sitting next to Band 1 members read along and augmented the group. It was a great time and we will do this in Thursday's concert.
Tonight I played an hour of jazz with the faculty and some students in the dining hall. Some great tunes: Ain't Misbehavin', Blue Monk, Stella By Starlight, Night Train, The Lady is a Tramp, and more. The students all gather in the dining room for this performance and they are a fantastic audience.
Then I finished my evening with a walk back to the inn, where I sit writing this. I listened to some of the new Amanda Palmer CD on my MP3 player on the way back as I walked in the dark. Thanks again to Amanda's crew for making it available for download last week. The CD was released today and I'd be seriously bummed if I didn't already have my copy here.
Again exhausted. I PROMISE to take some photos and post them. I'll probably be writing about this for weeks, when I finally have some time and energy. For now, they keep me running here. And don't even ask me about having to carry the baritone sax around in its "lead" case today.
Good night!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Wind Storm, and music
Huge wind storm last night. Shook the house. In fact, at one point the entire building moved, swaying back and forth violently. There were sirens going off, so I imagined the tornado had reached me. I was ready to hop in the tub as I duck and cover, but then things calmed down. This morning I learned that a 75 foot tall tree was blown over onto the Inn. Luckily (for me) it was on the opposite side of the buidling, so I did not need to be relocated to another room. Others were less fortunate. But, the tree was cut down today, and it seems the damage to the building was minimal. Photos to follow, but I'm too exhausted to upload them today.
My day began early. My fist class was at 9 a.m. - the Band 2 sax ensemble. Then the band 3 sax ensemble, Band 1 sectionals, Band 1 woodwind ensemble and lastly Band 1 rehearsal. Fit into all of that was lunch and dinner. No significant breaks, so I remained on campus for most of the day.
The bands range in ability from 1 (beginner) to 3 (advanced). All of the musicians are wonderful. They've welcomed me with open arms and we had a brilliant first day of small ensembles.
I do the same for the next two days. I'm hoping to have the sax ensembles combine to perform as a MONSTER SAX GROUP. Will be working on coordinating this all day tomorrow.
Tonight I sat in with some of the faculty, playing some jazz for the "students" in the caffeteria. Had much fun. Looking forward to another great day tomorrow.
I have so much to say about this experience. Too bad I can't keep my eyes open right now...off to bed!
My day began early. My fist class was at 9 a.m. - the Band 2 sax ensemble. Then the band 3 sax ensemble, Band 1 sectionals, Band 1 woodwind ensemble and lastly Band 1 rehearsal. Fit into all of that was lunch and dinner. No significant breaks, so I remained on campus for most of the day.
The bands range in ability from 1 (beginner) to 3 (advanced). All of the musicians are wonderful. They've welcomed me with open arms and we had a brilliant first day of small ensembles.
I do the same for the next two days. I'm hoping to have the sax ensembles combine to perform as a MONSTER SAX GROUP. Will be working on coordinating this all day tomorrow.
Tonight I sat in with some of the faculty, playing some jazz for the "students" in the caffeteria. Had much fun. Looking forward to another great day tomorrow.
I have so much to say about this experience. Too bad I can't keep my eyes open right now...off to bed!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Exhausting First Day
Not going to write much now. It is only 9 p.m., but the past 12 hours have been non-stop and pretty exhausting. Looking very much forward to a great day tomorrow. Today we launched the band camp with back to back large ensemble rehearsals. I sat in with Band 1 (the beginner band) most of the day, though I had a chance to sit in with Band 2 for a few minutes as well. Everyone is very friendly, excited to be here. It truly has the feel of the "first day of summer camp." It's amazing that it will be done in four days.
Tomorrow I get to work with the saxophones. I'm looking very much forward to this. My first class is at 9 a.m. I hope to have photos and detailed info about the experience tomorrow. So far, I'll say the Chautauqua grounds are pretty amazing - not at all what I expected.
More later...good night!
Tomorrow I get to work with the saxophones. I'm looking very much forward to this. My first class is at 9 a.m. I hope to have photos and detailed info about the experience tomorrow. So far, I'll say the Chautauqua grounds are pretty amazing - not at all what I expected.
More later...good night!
Arrival
I've just arrived at Chautauqua, ready to teach at the International New Horizons Band Camp. The place is beginning to buzz with students. I've checked into my room, at the Carey Cottage Inn. My camera is there, so don't expect photos until tomorrow. I don't know if the Inn has internet access - I doubt it. So I'll be blogging from the dining hall, where I now sit amidst the excitement. I have a busy schedule - several saxophone ensembles, some mixed groups, and I'll play some with the beginner band to help out the students. The average age is somewhere around 65 - a vibrant 65. I'm looking forward to a great week.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Heading to Chautauqua
For the next five days, Sunday through Thursday, I'll be teaching saxophone at the Chautauqua Institue in New York. Right now I am in Corning New York, at a Days Inn, where I'll be staying before making the final leg of the trip tomorrow. I'll be teaching at the International New Horizons Band Camp, a camp for adults who play band or string instruments. I'll have several ensembles and sectionals that I'll teach each day, and I'll even sit in and play with the beginner band to help out the "young" musicians. This is the first time I've ever taught at this camp and I'm honored to have been invited by New Horizons founder Roy Ernst.
My plan is to post to the blog once or twice a day, including photos from the camp. I'm hoping for at least a little sun, to enjoy the outdoors and get some great photos of the grounds. But at the moment it is raining, and we may be feeling the effects of hurricane Ike later this week. Regardless, I've been told I'll have internet access, so you'll be hearing from me one way or another.
Eight hours of the drive down, two and a half to go. For now, some R&R.
My plan is to post to the blog once or twice a day, including photos from the camp. I'm hoping for at least a little sun, to enjoy the outdoors and get some great photos of the grounds. But at the moment it is raining, and we may be feeling the effects of hurricane Ike later this week. Regardless, I've been told I'll have internet access, so you'll be hearing from me one way or another.
Eight hours of the drive down, two and a half to go. For now, some R&R.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Never Let Me Down
David Bowie's 1987 album, Never Let Me Down, was not a hit. Sure, a few tunes got a little radio airplay. Radio was already a dying medium. But I bought the CD the day it came out. I listened to it, learned the lyrics. It's not my favorite Bowie. But it is part of the whole that has become very important to me. Bowie was the artist that shaped my view of music as a teen. I am very forgiving when it comes to his music. So it makes me a poor candidate to review his music. To tell people what I think. There is no detachment, no objectivity. That lack of other objectivity holds true for other artists, other music. That is why I avoid "reviewing" CDs on this blog. I considered writing a review this week, but I won't. I may convey some experiences about the music, suggest that you run out and buy it, be a fan. But I won't be a reviewer. That wouldn't be right. Because some artists just never let me down.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
never forget
I was at the gym when it happened.
When they first broke in on the radio with the news, someone said, "they've got it wrong. It couldn't have been a 747. It must have happened at 7:47 a.m." Then the radio went back to playing music and we all went back to our workouts.
When the next plane hit, there would be no more music that day. A dozen or more sweating people stopped lifting weights, got off the treadmills and bikes, and stood together at one side of the room looking up at the stereo speakers on the wall, listening to the events unfold.
When the Pentagon was hit, there was fear that there were more hijacked planes, as many as five or six in the air. That was when I ran home.
I arrived just in time to see the towers fall. To hear the reports of another attempt thwarted by heroic passengers over Pennsylvania. To see my father, a native New Yorker, watch his city on fire from his adopted New England home.
At the time I taught saxophone lessons in a Manchester, NH studio that was right below the landing route for the international airport. In the still warm month of September I taught with my windows open. The roar of plane engines was absent for the week that followed.
America came together that day. I've never experienced it any other time in my life. People cared. Millions donated money, thousands traveled to the devestation to help secure the site. To participate in the autopsy. People held hands, hugged. We were united.
We got on with our music, our lives. And the plane engines returned. And it seems that some have begun to forget.
I hope I'm wrong.
I'll always remember.
When they first broke in on the radio with the news, someone said, "they've got it wrong. It couldn't have been a 747. It must have happened at 7:47 a.m." Then the radio went back to playing music and we all went back to our workouts.
When the next plane hit, there would be no more music that day. A dozen or more sweating people stopped lifting weights, got off the treadmills and bikes, and stood together at one side of the room looking up at the stereo speakers on the wall, listening to the events unfold.
When the Pentagon was hit, there was fear that there were more hijacked planes, as many as five or six in the air. That was when I ran home.
I arrived just in time to see the towers fall. To hear the reports of another attempt thwarted by heroic passengers over Pennsylvania. To see my father, a native New Yorker, watch his city on fire from his adopted New England home.
At the time I taught saxophone lessons in a Manchester, NH studio that was right below the landing route for the international airport. In the still warm month of September I taught with my windows open. The roar of plane engines was absent for the week that followed.
America came together that day. I've never experienced it any other time in my life. People cared. Millions donated money, thousands traveled to the devestation to help secure the site. To participate in the autopsy. People held hands, hugged. We were united.
We got on with our music, our lives. And the plane engines returned. And it seems that some have begun to forget.
I hope I'm wrong.
I'll always remember.
My frustrations have moved on
from Windows Vista to Quickbooks 2008. Computer problems abound. Not happy right now, but hey, when they do work, computers save me a ton of time. I guess I shouldn't complain too much about the hours lacking productivity as I try to solve this problem. Oh well.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Great first night
Our New Horizons Band met last night for the first rehearsal of our fall 2008 session and it was an excellent rehearsal - a good start to what will be a great year. This will be our seventh season. Can't believe it's been that many already. I broke out some new music to add to our repertoire for the occasion - the Anchors Aweigh March, Victory at Sea, and the Infernal Dance and Finale of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. Not sure how I ended up with a two-thirds nautical theme, but there it is. I'd like to program the Firebird for our May concert. Much more excitement in store for the coming year. If you want to join in the fun, just give us a call at PMAC! More info here.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Monday, September 08, 2008
Exhausted
For the first time in quite a while, I sat down, put headphones on, and listened to a new album from beginning to end without interruption. I need to do this more often. I'm beat now, as it is almost midnight, and I need to get some sleep - so I won't comment in detail on the album. A few more listens are in order before I solidify my opinions. For now, congrats Amanda. Well done.
I am happy
And all is forgiven. I have Amanda's new album.
THE SMART MOVE:
Recognizing all the chatter on the fan message boards, the marketing team posted a link on the message board before giving the general public access to it. We were all able to get our CDs and downloads, and, as far as I know, the site didn't crash.
I unfortunately have to run into an evening board meeting now, so I won't get to listen until late tonight. But I will be up listening.
It may have been delayed, but they pulled it off. Many, many happy fans tonight.
THE SMART MOVE:
Recognizing all the chatter on the fan message boards, the marketing team posted a link on the message board before giving the general public access to it. We were all able to get our CDs and downloads, and, as far as I know, the site didn't crash.
I unfortunately have to run into an evening board meeting now, so I won't get to listen until late tonight. But I will be up listening.
It may have been delayed, but they pulled it off. Many, many happy fans tonight.
800 posts today and counting...
I just visited the Dresden Dolls bulletin board site THE SHADOW BOX and discovered that I am not the only one waiting for the pre-sale purchase links to become active on www.whokilledamandapalmer.com. After praising Amanda and her team just a few days ago on this marketing approach, I'm beginning to think that there are some complications they didn't foresee. Yet, if they can get the links up and working by 5 p.m. Eastern Time, I bet all will be forgiven and forgotten. But right now there is a lot of anxiety in Amanda's fan base. As someone who works in a customer service industry, it will be interesting to see how they handle this one, especially if they can't manage to get the site working properly by the end of the day.
Whenever I have a potential customer service disaster, I ask myself one question. What can I do to turn this experience around so that, rather than an angry, disgruntled customer, I end up with a happy, life-long client/customer? The clock is ticking, and before long, if the problem isn't fixed, they will have to ask themselves this question.
Until then, I'll keep hitting refresh on my browser, in hopes of discovering the long-awaited link.
More later...
Whenever I have a potential customer service disaster, I ask myself one question. What can I do to turn this experience around so that, rather than an angry, disgruntled customer, I end up with a happy, life-long client/customer? The clock is ticking, and before long, if the problem isn't fixed, they will have to ask themselves this question.
Until then, I'll keep hitting refresh on my browser, in hopes of discovering the long-awaited link.
More later...
I'm sure there is a good reason...
...as to why, as of 10:15 a.m. Eastern Standard Time this morning, the pre-sale links on www.whokilledamandapalmer.com are still not active. I still think it is a great idea. But as the day wears on, if I am unable to buy the CD at the site, I will begin to think I am doing something wrong. Did I not follow the instructions correctly? Is there another site I should be visiting? Will I miss out on my autographed CD while others are quickly buying the first 250? Katie is a huge Ben Folds fan, so his autograph is a huge bonus for this purchase. (Some of you know she collects autographed CDs.) I'll keep trying back throughout the day, but I have to admit it is a little frustrating.
More later...
More later...
Sunday, September 07, 2008
fiveighthirteen
I'm dragging a bit this morning because last night was spent at The Barley Pub in Dover at a fiveighthirteen show. This is a great band - the trio of Nick Phaneuf, Mike Effenberger, and Mike Walsh. Nick's been living in Germany for many months now and this show was put together for Nick's current visit to the States. Last year, before Nick headed overseas, the trio played Radiohead's classic album Kid A in its entirety live at The Barley Pub. It was one of the great shows of 2007. Last night, they continued that tradition, playing a wide variety of Radiohead tunes, and mixing in some originals. It is really remarkable how they pull off the complexities of Radiohead with just three musicians in a little NH bar. But they seem to do it with relative ease. I'm looking forward to Nick's return to live in the states. Maybe at that point the band can work on more originals. They certainly have great potential.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Amanda Palmer - Credit where credit is due
A bit more on this morning's post regarding Amanda Palmer and music marketing. After posting it I received a kind e-mail from the wonderful Emily W., who has worked with Amanda and the Dresden Dolls for some time. And after going back and re-reading my post, I want to clarify:
Amanda is, as I said, a fabulous business woman. But she doesn't do it all alone. I've learned through the past several years of running PMAC that truly great work is near impossible to do on one's own, and definitely impossible for a single person to accomplish on a grand scale. Amanda has a talented team working with her. I know this because nearly two years ago, when we invited Brian Viglione to come to the school and give a clinic, Emily was critical in making that happen. To this day it was one of our best guest artist clinics. Also, when Katie and I went to see Amanda with the Boston Pops (see my blog post on this here), her lovely assistant Beth was kind and truly sincere in her interest in getting Amanda up to Portsmouth for a guest artist clinic. We've yet to have her here because of her hectic schedule, but we still hope she'll visit the students one day soon.
I write all of this not because it was pointed out to me that Amanda has such a team, but because when Emily e-mailed I was reminded of the truism that behind every great person, there is an amazing support system of equally great people - and those are the people who make the world go around. Bravo.
Amanda is, as I said, a fabulous business woman. But she doesn't do it all alone. I've learned through the past several years of running PMAC that truly great work is near impossible to do on one's own, and definitely impossible for a single person to accomplish on a grand scale. Amanda has a talented team working with her. I know this because nearly two years ago, when we invited Brian Viglione to come to the school and give a clinic, Emily was critical in making that happen. To this day it was one of our best guest artist clinics. Also, when Katie and I went to see Amanda with the Boston Pops (see my blog post on this here), her lovely assistant Beth was kind and truly sincere in her interest in getting Amanda up to Portsmouth for a guest artist clinic. We've yet to have her here because of her hectic schedule, but we still hope she'll visit the students one day soon.
I write all of this not because it was pointed out to me that Amanda has such a team, but because when Emily e-mailed I was reminded of the truism that behind every great person, there is an amazing support system of equally great people - and those are the people who make the world go around. Bravo.
Quote of the Day
"If you take pride in what you do and put out a great product, people will find you.”
--Jon Snyder, owner of Il Laboratorio del Gelato in SoHo, N.Y.C.
See the article in which this quote appeared here.
--Jon Snyder, owner of Il Laboratorio del Gelato in SoHo, N.Y.C.
See the article in which this quote appeared here.
How to succeed in the music business...by trying
Get ready for a long rant. For those who stick with it, it is relatively easy reading - I hope you enjoy. Here goes.
We live in the digital age. In the past decade there has been a major paradigm shift in the music industry and those who embrace it (artists like Radiohead and Amanda Palmer) will reap great rewards, while those who resist (major labels) will become extinct.
There has always been one key to success in the music industry - getting your music to the fans. For decades this was done through radio. Not today. No one listens to radio anymore, not for music, NO ONE! Have you even tried to sit through an hour of commercial radio in the car these days? There is a reason the word commercial comes first. You get 60% advertising and 40% music. And the playlists are ridiculous. Anyone who wants to listen to overplayed classics of past decades owns it all already. And the radio no longer plays interesting new music. DJs are a thing of the past. Playlists are now computerized, handed down by marketers who don't listen to the music as much as they listen to their focus groups. I repeat, radio is the PAST. The web is no longer the future. Music on the web is NOW. (If you are reading blogs, you know this already!)
The goal of a new artist should no longer be to make money from recordings. You just can't. CD sales are plummeting. The new media is digital download. If you want to succeed you need to build a fan base - a SIGNIFICANT fan base. With radio out of the mix, you need to WORK to accumulate fans. Why try to sell CDs at your gig? Why not hand out cards with web addresses where your fans can download all your music for FREE? Is ANYONE making money selling CDs? You need a decent fan base before it's even worth manufacturing them. Don't get me wrong - people want hard meda (CDs, Vinyl, whatever). But they need to be IN LOVE with your music before the will buy it now. I own just about every David Bowie CD ever made (that's a lot of CDs). I have them all on my MP3 player, but I wouldn't give up my CDs for anything. (At least until the next great hard medium comes along.) Maybe that makes me a dinosaur. Maybe our kids won't want the liner notes in their hands. You can see all that on the net. But I know that you still can sell hard media. But you have to work at it. And you still need to give it away on the net. Take Amanda Palmer.
I am a fan of Amanda Palmer, and of her duo, with Brian Viglione, The Dresden Dolls. If you read this blog, that comes as no suprise. Amanda's first major solo release comes out in about 10 days. I've already listened to most of the album - on YouTube, MySpace, and various other websites. I like the album, I'm a fan, and I want to own it.
I get the impression, though I don't know for sure, that Amanda puts up a lot of her own money for her projects, this CD included. She needs to make that money back, and hopefully more - to live, and to build her next project.
Amanda's fan base is relatively small. She's a bit of a niche artist, though she strongly hits the classic rock demographic - teens. She's not a Kanye West (thank goodness!) or U2. But she's no longer a "local" artist, exclusive to her home town of Boston. She is international. Her fans are web savy. They all have heard the album, and many have downloaded it, one way or another. But they will buy it, too.
Amanda is smart. An extremely intelligent business woman. In many ways she has been writing the book on how to market yourself over the net. This is how she has marketed the new CD, titled "Who Killed Amanda Palmer."
1) She blogs. She has told her fans about the trials and tribulations of creating this new work of art. We've been waiting now for well over a year for this CD. She didn't clobber us with frequent "commericals". She just told us about her life, through her blog, with posts a couple of times each month, including info about her work on the album. This level of communication is for the die-hard fans. This is where your word-of-mouth begins.
2) She uses her MySpace page to give you unreleased tracks, including, over a year before the release of the album, rough live recordings of the new songs. I already have the lyrics for several of the songs long memorized - way before the album hits shelves.
3) She used YouTube to release, one by one, videos for the new album. MTV? A thing of the past for music videos. Now its just trashy reality TV. I really never could have predicted that one in 1985. But back to Amanda: The fan base, and other curiosity seekers have seen the videos now. For well over a month before the album release. She uses YouTube like film makers of the 1940s used the cinema for Serials. Each time you see one video posted, you can't wait for the next. We're hooked.
4) She doesn't try to keep the songs off the web, doesn't threaten to sue people who download her music "illegally". In fact, she encourages it. (What a concept! Give the fans what they want, when they want it!) She even asks fans to record and video her concerts, get them on the net ASAP and spread the word. GENIUS.
5) When it finally comes time for the release, she creates a multi-media work of art. Sure, you can download the music and pay nothing. I bet a lot of those people will pay money to see her in concert. A good thing. Or you can just buy the CD at the record store. Even better. Or, you can buy packages directly from Amanda. With these, you get to download a digital version of the CD a week before it comes out. You can get t-shirts, books, memorabilia, unique gifts, and entered in a contest to have Amanda play a show in YOUR LIVING ROOM. (Don't think I'm not entering that one.) CDs are $14.99, but the bonus bundles begin at around $35 and go up to $100. I'll be buying one of the more expensive versions. Maybe not the most expensive, but maybe I will. I have until Monday, when they go on sale, to decide.
She will sell to all her fans. Everyone who cares will own this. This is how you succeed in the music business.
Metallica fought the internet. Fought illegal downloads. And I agree with them, that the music is theirs and it is their choice on how it should be distributed. If they want to charge for it, they should. But I think that is a paradigm of the past. By the time you are successful enough to sell a ton, why do you need to? You are not making a good margin on it. Why not break barriers and become the next Beatles. They are coming. And they won't be focused on CD sales. I can guarantee that.
p.s. - my Vista laptop is now synched with my network. Still have to figure out printing, but I'm getting close!
We live in the digital age. In the past decade there has been a major paradigm shift in the music industry and those who embrace it (artists like Radiohead and Amanda Palmer) will reap great rewards, while those who resist (major labels) will become extinct.
There has always been one key to success in the music industry - getting your music to the fans. For decades this was done through radio. Not today. No one listens to radio anymore, not for music, NO ONE! Have you even tried to sit through an hour of commercial radio in the car these days? There is a reason the word commercial comes first. You get 60% advertising and 40% music. And the playlists are ridiculous. Anyone who wants to listen to overplayed classics of past decades owns it all already. And the radio no longer plays interesting new music. DJs are a thing of the past. Playlists are now computerized, handed down by marketers who don't listen to the music as much as they listen to their focus groups. I repeat, radio is the PAST. The web is no longer the future. Music on the web is NOW. (If you are reading blogs, you know this already!)
The goal of a new artist should no longer be to make money from recordings. You just can't. CD sales are plummeting. The new media is digital download. If you want to succeed you need to build a fan base - a SIGNIFICANT fan base. With radio out of the mix, you need to WORK to accumulate fans. Why try to sell CDs at your gig? Why not hand out cards with web addresses where your fans can download all your music for FREE? Is ANYONE making money selling CDs? You need a decent fan base before it's even worth manufacturing them. Don't get me wrong - people want hard meda (CDs, Vinyl, whatever). But they need to be IN LOVE with your music before the will buy it now. I own just about every David Bowie CD ever made (that's a lot of CDs). I have them all on my MP3 player, but I wouldn't give up my CDs for anything. (At least until the next great hard medium comes along.) Maybe that makes me a dinosaur. Maybe our kids won't want the liner notes in their hands. You can see all that on the net. But I know that you still can sell hard media. But you have to work at it. And you still need to give it away on the net. Take Amanda Palmer.
I am a fan of Amanda Palmer, and of her duo, with Brian Viglione, The Dresden Dolls. If you read this blog, that comes as no suprise. Amanda's first major solo release comes out in about 10 days. I've already listened to most of the album - on YouTube, MySpace, and various other websites. I like the album, I'm a fan, and I want to own it.
I get the impression, though I don't know for sure, that Amanda puts up a lot of her own money for her projects, this CD included. She needs to make that money back, and hopefully more - to live, and to build her next project.
Amanda's fan base is relatively small. She's a bit of a niche artist, though she strongly hits the classic rock demographic - teens. She's not a Kanye West (thank goodness!) or U2. But she's no longer a "local" artist, exclusive to her home town of Boston. She is international. Her fans are web savy. They all have heard the album, and many have downloaded it, one way or another. But they will buy it, too.
Amanda is smart. An extremely intelligent business woman. In many ways she has been writing the book on how to market yourself over the net. This is how she has marketed the new CD, titled "Who Killed Amanda Palmer."
1) She blogs. She has told her fans about the trials and tribulations of creating this new work of art. We've been waiting now for well over a year for this CD. She didn't clobber us with frequent "commericals". She just told us about her life, through her blog, with posts a couple of times each month, including info about her work on the album. This level of communication is for the die-hard fans. This is where your word-of-mouth begins.
2) She uses her MySpace page to give you unreleased tracks, including, over a year before the release of the album, rough live recordings of the new songs. I already have the lyrics for several of the songs long memorized - way before the album hits shelves.
3) She used YouTube to release, one by one, videos for the new album. MTV? A thing of the past for music videos. Now its just trashy reality TV. I really never could have predicted that one in 1985. But back to Amanda: The fan base, and other curiosity seekers have seen the videos now. For well over a month before the album release. She uses YouTube like film makers of the 1940s used the cinema for Serials. Each time you see one video posted, you can't wait for the next. We're hooked.
4) She doesn't try to keep the songs off the web, doesn't threaten to sue people who download her music "illegally". In fact, she encourages it. (What a concept! Give the fans what they want, when they want it!) She even asks fans to record and video her concerts, get them on the net ASAP and spread the word. GENIUS.
5) When it finally comes time for the release, she creates a multi-media work of art. Sure, you can download the music and pay nothing. I bet a lot of those people will pay money to see her in concert. A good thing. Or you can just buy the CD at the record store. Even better. Or, you can buy packages directly from Amanda. With these, you get to download a digital version of the CD a week before it comes out. You can get t-shirts, books, memorabilia, unique gifts, and entered in a contest to have Amanda play a show in YOUR LIVING ROOM. (Don't think I'm not entering that one.) CDs are $14.99, but the bonus bundles begin at around $35 and go up to $100. I'll be buying one of the more expensive versions. Maybe not the most expensive, but maybe I will. I have until Monday, when they go on sale, to decide.
She will sell to all her fans. Everyone who cares will own this. This is how you succeed in the music business.
Metallica fought the internet. Fought illegal downloads. And I agree with them, that the music is theirs and it is their choice on how it should be distributed. If they want to charge for it, they should. But I think that is a paradigm of the past. By the time you are successful enough to sell a ton, why do you need to? You are not making a good margin on it. Why not break barriers and become the next Beatles. They are coming. And they won't be focused on CD sales. I can guarantee that.
p.s. - my Vista laptop is now synched with my network. Still have to figure out printing, but I'm getting close!
Friday, September 05, 2008
Vista vs. XP
I really liked my new laptop with Windows Vista...until I tried to network it with my other, XP computers. I understand the need for improving computer security, and from what I've read online, Vista's security features are a big improvement over XP. BUT, wouldn't you think that the folks over at Microsoft would be able to predict my situation (which, as I understand it, has been the situation of many, many, many, many others) and at the very least provide its customers with comprehensive instructions on how to solve this (common) problem? I've had to google this dilemma repeatedly and still have had to call upon the skill of a friend to (hopefully) solve it. The aforementioned friend arrives at 10 this morning to remedy (again, hopefully) the situation. Boo to Microsoft - I've lost several otherwise productive hours getting nowhere with this!
Advice on this topic is welcome and encouraged!
Advice on this topic is welcome and encouraged!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Media Bias?
OK. Everyone I know claims Fox News shows extreme bias and CNN is the fair and balanced network. I see extreme bias in both networks. In fact, it is hard to watch or read any "news" these days as there always seems to be some slant in the reporting. I'm not a Sarah Palin fan. Don't really know much about her, beyond the tabloid fodder the media enjoys throwing around. But I am disappointed with the photo CNN chose to put on their web homepage from last night's speech. I'm sure the hand gesture must have been caught mid-wave, but the choice of the image - Sarah Palin apparently offering a hand gesture so clearly associated with Adolf Hitler - shows extreme bias against her selection, at the very least. Don't tell me that news professionals had no clue what they were doing when they posted this. I'd be just as appalled if it were an image of Biden, Obama, McCain, or even Bush. Trashy, trashy, trashy photojournalism. I expect better.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Sing, play, improvise, make music!
PMAC's adult ensembles begin next week. New to the lineup is the Monday night Portsmouth Men's Chorus. Tuesday is the Saxophone Ensemble and New Horizons Band. Wednesday night features the Flute Choir and Blues Band. And on Thursdays you can play in the String Ensemble or Jazz Band. All are fun and will perform together on one concert in November. Check them out!
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Fall Semester - Day One
Our fall semester began today. It was great to see several students who were away for the summer. But even for those who studied through the summer, today felt like a fresh start. Summer is a time for fun, and I teach accordingly. Now we're all back to business, which is still fun, but more intense - in a good way.
I've been working on organizing my office today. The installation of new carpet forced me to box everything up and move it, and now I need to move back in. I've taken this opportunity to go through absolutely everything and it's amazing the stuff I have packed away. I found some cherished CDs that I thought had long disappeared, and even some old photos, including one of me and my prom date, in full prom dress and tux, taken in June 1984. Wow. But such discoveries do nothing but slow my progress. I'll get it done, though. And I'll feel better about my "stuff", much of which has been disorganized in random storage boxes. Time to really deal with the clutter and find a proper place for everying.
I love September!
I've been working on organizing my office today. The installation of new carpet forced me to box everything up and move it, and now I need to move back in. I've taken this opportunity to go through absolutely everything and it's amazing the stuff I have packed away. I found some cherished CDs that I thought had long disappeared, and even some old photos, including one of me and my prom date, in full prom dress and tux, taken in June 1984. Wow. But such discoveries do nothing but slow my progress. I'll get it done, though. And I'll feel better about my "stuff", much of which has been disorganized in random storage boxes. Time to really deal with the clutter and find a proper place for everying.
I love September!
Monday, September 01, 2008
September
I've always viewed September as the start of the new year. It's because I've either been a student or a teacher my whole life, and the academic world begins anew each September. January 1st always feels like it is interupting me in the middle of something, a break from my world. September 1 is the fresh start.
Recently I've been reading a few blogs where people commit to doing something every day for a year. Composing a new piece every day for 365 straight days (yes, someone actually did this and blogged about it). Cooking a new recipe every day for a year. There's a whole bunch of stuff like this out there. I've often thought about doing something like this. But is it worth the committment? And would I get bored? So I thought I might try a variation on this concept. Pick a daily challenge for each month for a year. 12 different daily challenges that I only have to follow through for a month at a time. Here are some ideas:
1) Compose a piece of music every day for a month (the obvious one)
2) Work on a specific aspect of my saxophone playing every day for a month (even as a professional, it is difficult to find time to play EVERY day)
3) Write a blog entry everyday for a month (I'd need to find a month where I'd have access to a computer and internet every day - no unusual traveling allowed!)
4) Write a poem every day
5) Take on and finish a different PMAC marketing project every day (an area I could use some work on)
6) Run at least a mile every day (wouldn't attempt this one between December and April!)
7) Write 3 pages of a new book every day (I'd end up with 90 page in a month)
That's only seven. I'd need to come up with twelve. Any ideas?
And I'd need to start September today. I'll need to think hard and quick, so I can get started without compromise. More later...
7)
Recently I've been reading a few blogs where people commit to doing something every day for a year. Composing a new piece every day for 365 straight days (yes, someone actually did this and blogged about it). Cooking a new recipe every day for a year. There's a whole bunch of stuff like this out there. I've often thought about doing something like this. But is it worth the committment? And would I get bored? So I thought I might try a variation on this concept. Pick a daily challenge for each month for a year. 12 different daily challenges that I only have to follow through for a month at a time. Here are some ideas:
1) Compose a piece of music every day for a month (the obvious one)
2) Work on a specific aspect of my saxophone playing every day for a month (even as a professional, it is difficult to find time to play EVERY day)
3) Write a blog entry everyday for a month (I'd need to find a month where I'd have access to a computer and internet every day - no unusual traveling allowed!)
4) Write a poem every day
5) Take on and finish a different PMAC marketing project every day (an area I could use some work on)
6) Run at least a mile every day (wouldn't attempt this one between December and April!)
7) Write 3 pages of a new book every day (I'd end up with 90 page in a month)
That's only seven. I'd need to come up with twelve. Any ideas?
And I'd need to start September today. I'll need to think hard and quick, so I can get started without compromise. More later...
7)
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