I’m joining the faculty at American University

This winter I will be joining the music department faculty at American University teaching theory. I look forward to working with some terrific colleagues in the department.

Latest writing piece: an interview with Pulitzer Prize winning composer Steven Stucky for the Choral Arts Society of Washington

As you know my website motto is: Constructing thought, one note at a time.  I came up with this it seemed to comprise the many things I do: composing, speaking, teaching, writing, and thinking about music. I love being in the thick of things. So, it’s been a bit since I’ve constructed thought one WORD at a time, so I thought I’d post a link to my recent interview of Steven Stucky, Pulitzer-prize winning composer, for the Choral Arts Society here in DC.  The article was in conjunction with the East Coast premiere of Stucky’s Take Him, Earth commissioned for the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s untimely death. CAS just held a terrific concert, the Stucky paired with Verdi’s powerful Requiem, at the Kennedy Center. CAS also added a visual element to the concert: images of Kennedy’s life and times tastefully coordinated with their performance.

Preconcert talk with Maestra Marin Alsop & the Hirshhorn’s Kerry Brougher

I am very exited to report that I will me moderating a preconcert panel discussion Music, Art and Destruction before the upcoming Baltimore Symphony’s Strathmore Center performance of Britten’s masterwork the War Requiem. The conversation on Saturday, November 16th at 6:30 pm is with BSO Maestra Marin Alsop and Hirshhorn Museum Interim-Director/Chief Curator Kerry Brougher and ties in with the fascinating current Hirshhorn exhibit Damage Control. Info from the Hirshhorn Info from the Baltimore Symphony

I’ve joined the faculty of the Levine School of Music

I’ve been asked to join the faculty of the Levine School of Music here in Washington DC, one of the best and most dynamic community music schools around, period. As part of my appointment I will be offering a series of pre-concert lectures for the Baltimore Symphony and Maestra Marin Alsop at the amazing Strathmore Center in Bethesda Maryland throughout the fall-winter-spring.

Singing In the Rain, or Shine – The Washington Chorus has a new member, me

This fall I’ve joined the prestigious Washington Chorus as part of their Bass 1 section.  Under the direction of conductor-composer Julian Wachner and Executive Director Dianne Peterson, we have already performed Act III of Wagner’s Parsifal with Christoph Eschenbach and the National Symphony and Britten’s War Requiem as part of the Britten 100 Worldwide Celebration. It is a privilege and an honor to work with such amazing musicians and a superb organization. And no, I haven’t been part of a chorus since my days in Boston under the direction of famed Maestro Thomas Dunn!

Back to, and from, Montalvo!

In September Seth Friedman (librettist) and I had a terrific and productive time working on Fallings during my next installment of my Fellowship/residency at the Montalvo Arts Center. Thank you Kelly Sicat and whole gang for making our stay productive and fun. BTW: This was my studio. Watch this space for future updates on Fallings!

We have arrived: back on the East Coast, but this time it’s D.C.

Late last night (June 15th) we landed at Dulles: 2 adults, 1 teen, 1 small dog, and 2 unhappy parrots.  It was a l-o-n-g process of purging, packing, and preparing culminating in a l-o-n-g day.  But, we are here setting up shop in Washington D.C. It’s great being back in a city, the Northwest part of D.C.  Of course none of our stuff arrives for another 10-14 days…  But, the adventure begins!

The Lede: Klein Competition announces its 2013 Winners; composer very happy.

This year’s Klein Competition is now over.  It was a fabulous weekend with eight terrific semi-finalists playing Bach, Tchaikovsky, Berg, Bartok, Sibelius, Poulenc, and Friedman (among others).  Three finalists were chosen.  I had the pleasure of hearing multiple interpretations of my new pieces Uncle Hokum’s Fiddle (violin), When The World Disintegrates Before Your Eyes (viola), Two Movements from Triptych (Parting, Approaching Home) and being on the very experienced and wonderful panel selecting the winners.  Some really amazing talent.  I will post audio from my pieces in the coming weeks.  More info

Dana Kelley, viola, 3rd Prize; Wyatt Underhill, violin, 2nd Prize; Youjin Lee, violin, 1st Prize.
Photo by Scott Chernis.

Tags | Klein

Almost there: the 2013 Klein International String Competition

We’re almost there: 3 weeks until the Klein Competition!  The participants have my  three new commissioned solo string pieces.  Three very different, but technically comparable works: Uncle Hokum’s Fiddle (violin), When The World Disintegrates Before Your Eyes (viola), and Triptych: Dark Waters, Parting, and Arriving Home (cello).   Each contestant is required to perform the pieces for the semi-final round.  The finalists have a choice to include my work on their finals program the next day.  The semi-finals are Saturday, June 8th and the finals Sunday, June 9th at San Francisco State.  For more details see: Klein Competition Timeline

The ripple effect in action, or what teachers seldom hear but love to know

When I taught at Seton Hall University I had a really interesting student named Timothy Hester.  When Tim graduated I do remember him saying how he enjoyed my courses.  Little did I know that years later our paths would cross once more.  Recently Tim contacted me to let me know about a posting on his blog Harvey Millican: Raising Your Kids Without Lowering Your IQ.  I Read it and found myself  speechless.  We never really know the impact we might have on our students.  But, once in a while we are lucky enough to find out.  http://wp.me/s10sPo-5095

Tags | Mentor, teaching