Pas de Deux is a special piece created under unusual circumstances. Initially it was commissioned by a dear friend to celebrate a her spouse’s birthday. It was revised and expanded, reforged even, under the dark shadows cast by 9/11. And now? Performed at a beautiful private ceremony marking the remarriage of these two dear and … Read More
It wouldn’t be a new year without a new Beatles course! Indeed, I return to Stanford’s Continuing Studies Program, where I have taught since 2008, with Music 48 The Beatles (AKA “The White Album”) starting February 14th. From Rishikesh to the last take of Julia, this 4-session mini course will be live online, Wednesday evenings, which means … Read More
A “long time ago” I had the lovely and unusual experience of having a dear friend, Pam, commission me to write a surprise birthday present for her husband Steve. Pam and I sat and discussed ideas for the narrative, the different stages a deep relationship undergoes, and how even the passage of time seems altered … Read More
I’ll be our joining our composition students and other Catholic Univeristy faculty writing a joint song cycle setting of excerpts from William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience for talented CUA singers (in my case Carolyn Shaffer) and the awesome ensemble-in-residence Balance Campaign. My friend and colleague Stephen Gorbos and impresario thought up this wonderful … Read More
I’m pleased to collaborate once more with my favorite writers/directors/master puppeteers at Evolve Puppets NYC on our new hybrid multi-media piece They Were Called Tress as part of this year’s LaMama’s Jumpstart Workshop. It’s a great start to a beautiful, dark, slightly twisted, and poignant piece about our petroleum & plasticized world bereft of all … Read More
If you know Percy & Heathcliff, it was inevitable that our two African parrots would become multimedia stars featured in Johanna Siegmann’s glorious new book In Good COMPANY (Notable People with their Pets), available at all your favorite bookstores, and Tracie Hotchner’s delightful and informative podcast series Exotic Pets™ “An African Gray Keeps The Baby … Read More
My latest Beatles class at Stanford’s Continuing Studies: MUS 45 The Pepper Years—Expanding Minds, Expanding Music! Arguably their greatest single (Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane), greatest album (Sgt. Pepper), and the “black sheep of the family” Magical Mystery Tour. This is one NOT to miss.
Course Date(s): Jun 27—Aug 1, 5 weeks, Note: No class on July 4
Course Time: Tuesdays, 6:30—8:45 pm (Pacific Time)
Tuition: $390
☞Registering is EASY. Just click HERE Registration is open!☜
I’m pleased to have been a judge once more for Washington DC’s WAMMIE Awards. The pool of nominees was diverse and talented. A real showcase for DC. It was a pleasure listening to their work!
My 2 violin version of Uncle Hokum’s Fiddle will finally receive its LIVE, IN-PERSON premiere with two performances on FiddleFest! at the San Pancho Music Festival on Friday, February 24, 2023 and on Virtuosos de Cámara’s concert at Incanto Teatro in Puerto Vallarta on Sunday, February 26. I’m thrilled that the violin dynamic duo of Karen Bentley Pollick … Read More
“The Constitution is worth saving, the rule of law is worth saving, democracy is worth saving, but these things can and will be lost if everyone waits around for someone else.” –Timothy D. Snyder [divider] [/divider] We are living in dangerous times — politically and socially — and part of what makes them so dangerous … Read More