Once again it is time for all of the food, fun, debauchery, and oh yeah… music, that comes with the Texas Music Educator’s Association Convention & Clinic. This is almost a mini-vacation for lots of band directors and college students (music majors). They get a few days off to mingle, have fun, see old friends, and knock back some drinks. To them I say… that’s every day for me!! TMEA, Midwest, PASIC, TBA… why, these are the times I actually go somewhere to WORK!!
While I wish I could say I was having a piece, or pieces, performed this week (like some people!), or that I am having a booth there (like Midwest), I do have some exciting news that is a first for my music:
While this may not seem like a big deal to some, to a self-publishing composer who is trying to get his music out to the masses, to have one of, if not THE, largest distributor of sheet music is a HUGE deal. Yes… my percussion music is published through Drop 6 and has been, and continues to be performed . And yes, my marching band shows do rather well. But like an actor wanting to direct; a singer wanting to act; an NBA star wanting to rap… I want my band music played!!!!
So if you’re looking for some new wind band music, stop by the (massive) RBC Music booth at TMEA and just look for my music. They’re actually giving me my own section to showcase my music!!
It seems now is the time that everyone gives their “Top Tens” and such for the year. And with this being the end of the decade, many are even doing Top Tens of the last Ten years! Needless to say, my memory isn’t that great. But i will partake in the former.
However… I don’t feel like I am “qualified” to give a Top Ten “Best/Worst” List, so instead, I will just declare my “Favorite(s)” and “Least Favorite(s)” of the year. Again… this is not what I think is fact. It’s just my opinion.
In no significant order:
Favorite Movies of the Year(knowing I still haven’t seen Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Up in the Air, Nine and some other great movies):
Up
(500) Days of Summer
Star Trek
District 9
The Hangover
Favorite “Non” Montoya Marching Band Show:
Comm-UNIFORM-ity – Avon HS (IN)
Favorite Drum Corps Show:
The Grass is Greener – Carolina Crown (SC)
Favorite New Wind Band Works (written/premiered in 2009):
Ecstatic Waters – Steven Bryant
Asphalt Cocktail – John Mackey
Favorite Newly Discovered Band Work
Symphony for Winds and Percussion – Donald Grantham
Favorite Film Scores of 2009
UP – Michael Giacchino
District 9 – Clinton Shorter
Favorite Film Score of the Year (not necessarily written in 2009):
The Fountain – Clint Mansell
Favorite Movie Soundtrack:
(500) Days of Summer
Favorite New Musical Finds (not necessarily new in 2009):
Well all is well back in Texas. After a fun filled week in Chicago, things are slowing down for just a bit.
I am hard at work finishing my latest commission, then the soft-start to marching band season begins. Then back to concert music, and design meetings and such.
Once I finish the piece, I’ll discuss the performers and it’s premiere and all that stuff. I’ll try to keep a better line of communication because I know everyone is so interested in my musical life and career!!!
So Merry Christmas to all, and I’ll be back soon for my “Favorites List” for 2009!!
Greetings from Kansas City, MO. My flight from Midway to KC to DAL was delayed almost 1.5 hours, so I of course missed my connecting flight in KC. Now the flight that was to leave at 5:40 is now not supposed to leave until 6:40.
Oh crazy east coast weather affecting the rest of the country…
I’ll be sure to post a Midwest recap. Nothing too specific to report, other than this year was a success!!
Coming to you live from booths 1118-1120! Things are nice and busy and the booth has received a lots of attention. It might have to do with the free candy canes and/or tissues, but at least they’re here!!
Weather has been cold and brisk, but it keeps me layered in all my best clothes!!
So stop by, take a look and a listen some new music!
One of the best weeks of the year (for me, at least) is again upon us… The Midwest Clinic!!
Once again I will be showing at a booth this year. There is a bit of a difference as I will be inhabiting two booths; Noisi Paintr Music and Underwater Theme Productions. Both are connected and both have music from all three composers. I suppose I just wanted to be “selfish” and have my name/publishing company in the program. I figure it’s just good business!!
So stop on by the booths (1120/1118) and check out the music of Costas Dafnis, Philip Rice, and myself.
My new pieces are the three versions of “Effervescent,” the orchestra version of “Gotas (de Lluvia)” (from my marimba concerto), and “The Widowmaker.”
I’ll be live-blogging during the clinic, thanks to Motorola Clear. So hope to see you this week!!
I come to you from Michigan! This is the second stop on my three city trip. I spent a few days in Arlington, TX meeting with the James Martin HS band. After the second round, we settled on musical and visual path that I am super stoked about!
My Michigan visit is a friend(s) and family (Martin) visit. From here, I will be driving down to Chicago with Philip Rice and Costas Dafnis; the other two composers I will be sharing a booth with this year.
I will post more tomorrow night once the booth is all set up, but briefly, this year there will be TWO booths at Midwest! Yes, Noisi Paintr still has a booth, but now it is connected to Underwater Theme Productions. While UTP is all my music, I am still a part of NP and it’s still a joint venture. I just am being selfish and wanted to have my own space!!
So be sure to stop on my the booths this week. I’ll give more info tomorrow (which will include booth numbers, location, and pictures).
I’m coming to you live from the Dayton, OH Airport where there is free wi-fi. Yup… nothing but the best for me!
It’s been a busy stretch of weeks for me as I switch from marching band consultant, to composer, to marching band arranger/composer. I realize it doesn’t sound like there is much of a difference, but trust me… when it comes to mindset, there is.
I have already had 4 marching band design meetings. I am currently in the middle of one commission, and am finalizing the details of one for next spring. Add to that marching band shows, finally writing my Master’s paper, and finishing my marimba concerto, and I am going to be super busy!
But wait… there’s more! I have been making sure my booths at Midwest will all be ready. Lots of emails, phone calls, etc. to make sure Underwater Theme Productions and Noisi Paintr Music are ready to go! With the new hall and layout at Midwest, we got a FANTASTIC spot which is right in the heart of the “publishers area.” Traffic will be better… now let’s just hope the booth and quality of music will be! I’ll be sure to post more about Midwest early next week.
Just in time for the holidays, here is the video recording of “The Widowmaker” commissioned and premiered by the Brazoswood HS Percussion Ensemble (Eric Harper, director) at PASIC 2009.
It seems like months ago that I was able to enjoy a full week at home. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job; being able to travel to different schools during the fall and to marching band contests. But man, did I miss my house, my car, my bed, and mostly… my dog!
This week I will be hitting my latest commission pretty hard. It’s a piece for Alto Saxophone and Percussion and is commissioned by John Nichol, Professor of Saxophone at Central Michigan University, and is titled: Séance.
After that, I will be finishing my marimba concerto, and then starting my next band piece to be premiered next spring in Atlanta, GA. Oh, and maybe starting on some 2010 marching band shows!
