New Music Things That Have Happened
(or, This is what I like to call "Research")
When people see me, they often ask what I've been up to. I really say "I've been really busy." It's so cliche but, that feels like the truth.
Planning and getting things ready for each new season of Orkestra Projekt is a real challenge. And really fun. And sometimes requires lots more attention to necessary and tedious details that aren't directly related to creating a new vision for music.
And, then, there are the "field trips" or research trips that I can conduct in my own back yard.
Lately, I've reconnected with Ensemble 48 and the Butler University JCFA Composer's orchestra. They periodically put on programs that are simply indescribable. I have always loved the way they intend to do their thing. I feel their spirit and intention and their connection. It's what I want from my performing experiences.
The last Butler University JCFA Composer's orchestra concert I attended was in October and had me reeling in pain from the extremes in volume and pitch found in the recorded work by James Aikman, House Music for Uncle Don. I really would love to try to emulate that work in live performance. Give me a score and parts and a hundred-piece orchestra. It was intense. Sorry, no pics, no video.
Aside from that, there is always something new happening, something new being created.
Ben Jacobs has a seriously heavy-metal band called Basilica which performed after a movie premiere at the Indiana State Museum. Yeah, they had earplugs and amplified violins along with video loops and serious heavy-duty guitar playing.
Basilica at the Indiana State Museum
Another friend, John Glennon, has started a new baroque ensemble, Enigma. I saw friends Rachel Gries and Kurt Fowler work some magic at Tab. Rachel performed a viola solo that had more notes for her viola than she would normally perform in a complete symphony season (not really a viola joke). And, she was amazing.
Again, pics to follow as soon as I figure out how to get pictures from my phone. Am I really technologically challenged? There's only so much technological interaction that I can personally accommodate at one time.
I promise to be more prepared to let you know what's up on the horizon. Though, soon, I'm going to immerse myself in some really cool scores by John Adams and Henryk Gorecki.
Check back later. I'll let you know if my head is going to explode.