Gospel Trios

I have been arranging music for string trio (2 violins, cello) to play in church in July. For inspiration, I have been listening to acapella versions of gospel tunes on youtube. The question, for me, becomes "How do I use vocal techniques to create interesting string textures, and once I do, HOW do I notate such techniques?"

I am especially pleased with my recent version of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" which has the accompaniment trying to imitate the "schoooom" of low voices. It certainly helps to explain it in person at rehearsal, rather than in print.

Internet Radio

I am just starting to explore Pandora Internet Radio. It's free. After you sign up, you choose an artist or song you like and create a station with one click. Then the music starts streaming. It's like radio in that you don't get a choice of what they play, and there are short ads, but where else can you listen to radio where the music is similar to Bear McCreary? This way you hear artists you may not already know.

Organizing an Afternoon of Chamber Music

While on sabbatical in Chicago a few years ago, I composed a "Spring Suite" for small chamber group - flute, clarinet, tenor, mezzo-soprano, violin/viola, and cello. Based on three poems, Light Again by Wendell Berry, In Time of Silver Rain by Langston Hughes, and Chansons Innocentes: I (in Just - spring) by e.e. cummings, in three movements, I composed these in the dead of winter when I was longing for warmer weather.

James Falzone, my composition teacher, hoped that I might get friends together to perform it so we could hear what it actually sounds like. I am finally organizing a group of friends to make that a reality! Still searching for a mezzo-soprano, we are now also looking for a mutually-agreeable date in July.

Progress Marches On

I have noticed that in the last few weeks my private students have made noticable progress. After working for several months or so on the same things, they are ready to move on to harder music. It makes us all feel good!

Lovely Third Graders

One of the sweet things about teaching elementary school children are the thank you notes they write. I got a batch from one 3rd grade classroom this week - kids who learned recorder this year. Here are a few excerpts from their missives:

"Thanks for helping us teach recordar were now the best players in Clormont."

"Thank you Mrs. VR for teaching us recorder I would like to do violin next year in fourth grade because my sister used to do violin and violins make cool sounds."

"Thank you for techin me how to play the recorer. and all the songs that you tought me. and reminded me to put my left hand on top and my right hand on the bomttom and not to put your right on the top. and not to put or left hand on the bomttom." (She was consistent in her spelling of "bottom.")

"Thank you for teaching me music. Thank you also for making me a musician."