The Musician's Musings

I have been given a side project before I need to focus nearly all of my creative energy to the tuba recital piece. My church choir director, Tim, who I love, showed me a hymn and asked if I'd arrange it for me, him, and fiannaharpar. "I don't care if you change the melody or the harmony. I want it 'Strobel.'"

That honored me, and was a feeling I hadn't had in a while- he wanted to hear whatever I wanted to do to/with it. I think I have nearly all the melody of the hymn (Methodist hymnal #250, "Once in Royal David's City") and much of the harmony sketched out. I've changed the melody and harmony considerably, though it's still recognizable. Instead of being in F major it toggles between F dorian and F minor. The last verse seems more wispy and dreamy than the first three, so I'm considering making that verse slower and 'sweeter', but I don't want to lose the character I'm building in the first three verses. That's a worry for later, after I flesh out the harmony parts for the first three verses.

I need to finish this soon because Tim wants to perform this for Candlelight service, December 9th (Sunday afternoon). It is a free concert if anyone else in the area is interested in attending.

I have finally finished the piano part to my new church anthem. I was trying to fit this über-complex sixteenth note pattern in one steenkeeng measure, and it wasn't working. I tried three different variations, and they all sounded out of place, not quite right, or forced. The left hand was good, which was a start. So I approached it simply- what chords really worked going from where I left off to where it picked up a measure later? And that was it. I just used chords, no rhythmic fru-fru or hype. That has allowed me to put what conscious effort I have left this evening (just got back from rapier1's wedding reception. AWESOME!! That requires a separate post.) to working on string parts, because the concert for this is in two weeks!!!

What sucks about the work I'm doing now is that I can't email it to my work address. At home I'm using Finale '06. At work it's only '01, and it don't work. So, while I have to duplicate my efforts, it's still work getting done with orchestration and stuff, so that it's just retyping when I'm at work and not creating.

With all of this going on, I have one huge regret that spans nearly 10 years now: Why, why, why did I not email myself a copy of every music file I ever wrote while a student at CMU? I am praying that sk4p can somehow access my archived account to get those files back (or contact someone who can), but if the account is deleted then all that work is gone. And all it would've taken is to email myself a copy, open it in my new spiff version of Finale, and reconfigure anything that's wonky. As it looks now I have to input it all in, all over again. *sigh*

I haven't had a Saturday like this in a long time. First was Candlelight service rehearsal starting at 9am until noon, working with the string quartet. We're singing the 10 minute Vivaldi Magnificat, which is a neat little piece, and not that long. Amongst other anthems is William Byrd's "Hodie," which, after hearing the whole thing and singing it, I could so totally see performing with the Debatable Choir (nudge, ariannawyn) or even the Pennsic choir. It's really neat.

After choir rehearsal, it was over to drbonez's new place to help him and Lynette move the heavy stuff from the POD. There was plenty of help, beer and pizza was acquired, and fiannaharpar and lstrobel showed up later in the afternoon. They brought baked goods of delight, including really nice green tea muffins, the mix bought from Trader Joe's, and Christmas tree sugar cookies.

Then it was home, no dinner needed thanks to the pizza and cookies and muffins, and having to risk my life and sensibilities to try homemade brownies that my sweetie baked with- get this- mini-York peppermint patties baked in them. *wipes drool* No, they're horrible. Eh, don't ask about 'em, cuz we...uh, had to throw them out. So they're gone. None left. Really. Would I lie??

Tomorrow is the church candlelight service, which will be nice, except for the absence of my sweetie and pookie. But, before all of that is a playdate with lstrobel and one of her friends from school, which should be great, so long as the little darling isn't acting like a complete and total monkey. Another busy day, but this kind of weekend is nice for a change.

I am at work early, because the pooky is sick at home, and fiannaharpar is home with her. The poor girl is just extra congested and not feeling well. The kicker was that when we were shopping yesterday she wanted me to carry her and she fell asleep on my shoulder. That hasn't happened in... forever. I hope she gets to feeling better today.

What sucks is that I have a little bit of the same thing. Some sinus pressure, congested, little sore spot in my throat. This is the wrong week to get sick, bucko. I'm taking daytime gelcaps, hopefully that and a boat load of fluids will, as Benny Hill said, cut short its visit.

Yesterday was busy. Church was good, finally working on the Ellingboe Requiem during Sunday morning choir practice (haven't been able to make it to Thursday evening practices for a long time), and since we're performing it in two weeks it's nice to start reading it. When I came home it was spring cleaning! Lots of laundry, fridge and freezer cleanout, and bedroom fixin'-uppin'. Our bedroom, thanks to my wonderful wife, looks clean and great now. So does the kitchen. It looks and feels really nice.

fiannaharpar, when you read this, know that I love you and can't wait to see you this afternoon. Kiss the punkin on the head for me. Hope you both have a good day.

This is a general announcement for all in the Pittsburgh area:

On Sunday, March 20, at 3pm, the First United Methodist Church's choir will be performing Gabriel Faure's "Requiem." There will be a 20 piece orchestra accompanying the choir and organ in this very passionate work, and yours truly has one of the solos. Also being performed beforehand will be my piece, "I Seek Your Face" for men's a capella choir. It will be an afternoon filled with truly beautiful music. Anyone who's reading this is invited. This is a free concert, donations accepted. If you don't know how to get to First United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh or have any other inquiries, please leave in a comment or call/email me (gmail).

P.S.- My piece will actually be premiered during the 11am service on Sunday, in case that would be prefereable (but no Faure for you).

Last night on Adventures In Good Music (radio program hosted by the late Karl Haas) I heard snippets of Francis Poulenc's Mass in G Major, which he dedicated to his father. The Mass is a capella. And I really like Poulenc's sonorities. I think I need to acquire this little sonic morsel. Mmmmmmm....

Part of why this strikes me so is that after a couple of small-ish composition, arranging, and transcription projects, I would really like to write the Candlelight anthem for my church, possibly for 2006. This may wind up being a Gloria (like Vivaldi's and Rutter's), but I'm not sure yet. I'll need to do much listening, research, and soul-search. It'll be my biggest work to date, and I'm gonna do it right.

Put your vibrating cell phone in your chest pocket. WHOO!! That gets your attention.