Well it's been a week or two since my last posting! So here goes...

Since the last update, I've heard the MUN Wind Ensemble play through my piece! I was sort of wondering what the difference of hearing it on my computer to hearing a live performance/reading with actual instruments would sound like. Would it change EVERYTHING? Would it make my rethink things about the piece? Would my orchestration be good or bad? There were so many ifs.

Most of my questions were answered with only one hearing. It didn't change everything! It didn't cause me to question my compositional decisions, or feel embarrassed, which was great. In terms of my orchestrations, I'd say mostly it was decent, but somethings that may not have been balanced/ appropriate during reading were probably due to the piece being sight-read. There are a couple things that I may change, but mostly I'm happy with it. I LOVED some of the chords that I created! I was really glad for sticking with my original thought for harmonic qualities and progressions.

I really wanted this piece to be a little/twice as long. There were some sections that really could have gone on longer. So maybe I will expand it this summer for something to do.

I got a taste of hearing a large ensemble play something that I wrote, and more than anything it was a tease/ desire to continue writing pieces like this so I can keep getting these experiences and opportunities. I have only been composing since the beginning of the school year, and let me tell you, hearing an ensemble play something I created really makes me realize that this is something that I really want to be doing and glad that I'm doing theory and composition as my major.

I had a great time composing/arranging this term! I'm excited to get started on a new project(s) over the summer!

Finished!

Well well well....

It's been a little while since a post.
BUT EXCITING NEWS! I think I just finished my band piece! Hurraaaay!
I feel pretty good about it too! There are a few things that I need to fine tune, mostly orchestration issues, typical... but nothing too taxing! I'm pretty satisfied with the form. I think so anyway... when I hear the band play in on wednesday, I'll know for sure. Well I guess that will answer a lot of my questions and curiosities about this piece.
Since my last presentation, I had a sort of march like thing happening, which meant to lead into a new section/ climax (which it does, as it turns out). Last week I added a new melody that played right into my climax. Right after the high point, the texture slowly gets less and less, as does the dynamic and tension. Then there is a restatement of my opening material, only orchestrated mostly for woodwinds, instead of brass, and I finish it off with a direct restatement of the very opening percussion.

I feel pretty good about it all! I'll hopefully present tomorrow in class and hopefully everyone else will like it too. I wasn't able to present on thursday because I discovered Thursday morning that my car decided to have a flat tire, and I spent all morning at a garage.....-_-....

Thats it! Now on to printing parts for the reading!