Thursday, January 10, 2013

Two Commissions at the Same Time!

I hope everyone's 2013 is off to a great start! This year is showing some promise, and I have the first ever two commissions due about the same time.

One commission is from the Wesleyan Middle School Band in Norcross, GA under the direction of Dr. Ruthie Colegrove. Ironically, across the street where I spent 5 years working as a web designer. The piece will premiere on May 9th.

Another commission is from a high school/college friend, Helen Saile, who premiered many of my clarinet "pieces" when I was in studying composition at UGA. She will be performing with the fabulous organist Brad Hughley on an incredible organ at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Atlanta, GA. I'm

getting a lesson on that organ next week, and I am excited to hear what it can do. This piece will premiere on May 19th.

Now, how to juggle two very different things at once? That is a new challenge. I typically do one thing at a time, but it looks like I will need to find balance. So here it goes I suppose.

There's some more possibilities lined up for the year, but won't get confirmation until Feb/March on those. I'll be sure to keep you posted!

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

2013 Resolutions

Why is this the only 2012 picture of us together? Not this year!
Ok, so maybe I didn't accomplish any of my goals from last year, but priorities changed. We are going to make my husband's work the scapegoat here. His shifts changed and so our lives had to change, thus our goals changed. I ended up having to do some things without him, but that's ok. We were still able to collaborate on some things even if they were on an incredible small scale. At the very least I got a wonderful flute quartet that he composed for an ensemble I play in, Perimeter Flutes. I can't wait to premiere it! This year had its challenges though and we've had to roll with the punches.

Sam, world's best cuddler -  Miss you buddy!
This year we had to say goodbye to an incredible dog who I bonded with immediately and he even won over my husband. I really don't know who took Sam's death harder, me or my hubs. I'm glad Sam was a part of our lives, and I hope at some point we get another opportunity to share our home with another deaf dog. It's a totally different mind set in communication and relationship (especially for musicians), but a rewarding one. For now, we'll have to be happy with spoiling our little orphan Annie and I suppose the hub's 15 year old cat, Mikey (or tons of fun).

GSO rehearsing
Don't get me wrong 2012 wasn't a total washout. 2012 was the year for repeat performances and revisiting people and projects I have enjoyed in the past. I was commissioned to compose for the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, something I've wanted for a long time. Not only do I love writing for orchestra but the GSO is packed with friends who have a special place in my heart.  I also got to travel to hear some repeat performances of pieces that premiered in 2011, AND I got to compose for the Dahlia Flute Duo again. Looking forward to that premiere in March. If anything it was the year of repeat performances. Something I haven't really experienced in such magnitude, the main repeaters being "Rabbit Tales", "Tamar", "Chatter", and "Hopewell".

Fisticuffs rehearsal with Chamber Cartel
 2012 was also the year of participating with new ensembles: Perimeter Flutes, Chamber Cartel, and Terminus Ensemble. All three of these groups show promise and some fabulous talented people, most of whom I met this year and I hope its the continuation of some fabulous friendships and collaborations. However, I wish to NOT repeat the 5 hour performance of "For Philip Guston" by Morton Feldman. That, my friends, is a once in a lifetime experience for many reasons. Let's move onto new and exciting projects and experiences!

First photo of 2013!
So what about 2013? Well, there's already two commissions in the queue that I need to begin and one contract for a commission where the terms are agreed on, but just waiting for the administration to sign the contract. There are also 3 definite premieres on the calendar for 2013. I better get to work! I plan to compose a flute quartet, clarinet and organ duo, and hopefully more band music. There are also some personal things I would like to compose, but I'm going to keep those up in the air and see what the year brings. 2013 could end up like 2012 and my plans were not what God had in mind.