Sunday, November 21, 2010

blog 7

So I presented my material for comp class on friday. I am writing a piece for the paddywagon trombone quartet, and I've been experimenting with Messiaen's modes of limited transposition (As I've mentioned in earlier posts).

I wanted to change my form to a longer form piece, rather than a couple shorter character movements. I'd still prefer to use the latter for my piece, but I for the class and marking purposes, I'll have to write a single character form. Oh well! I've decided to write in a rondo type of a form, with the contrasting B and C sections incorporating some of the ideas I had for my first idea. So I guess it's a win win situation after all.

I started over with new material last thursday and it's been working great! I am using non-standard meters and key areas, so hopefully it'll turn out to be an interesting piece!! Hopefully I can bring the written material to paddywagon rehearsal tonight, to see what it sounds like!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

blog 6

Today the ECM+ played our 4100 compositions!!! And I gotta say, it was QUITE the experience. The group did an amazing job, and it was everything and more what we all expected, at least for me.

I was very excited to finally have this experience. It's been a while coming, having known about it since august!!! I was nervous, not really knowing what to expect in this situation. It was the first time I really had a professional group read though one of my pieces with me in the audience following along with them, and working with them. I loved it!

I was wondering what the extended technique section of my piece was going to sound like. I really only knew what it could have sounded like in my head, and hearing a group play it, it really made me realize that I could have done SOOOOO much more of that kind of writing. It inspired me to try and compose more things like that. Take the chance. Even if you could fail horribly. We really didn't have anything to lose with this opportunity, and I think I gained a great learning experience and lesson.

I want to thank the ECM for doing this for us, and everyone else who helped facilitate this! It's an excellent experience for us students to go through.
A NECESSARY experience.

It was great, and I can't wait to do something like this again!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

blog 5

It's been a little while since the last one, but honestly, this semester has been non stop work!! Holy!

I've since submitted my ECM piece, which will be read by the group this coming thursday. That is SUPER exciting!!! I can't wait!! I think it will be a great learning experience, in a lot of ways, like interacting with the ensemble as they try and read your piece.

I have begun work on my next assignment, which is for Paddywagon, the MUN trombone quartet. I am currently writing with Messiaens modes of limited transposition, and I gotta say, it's a really neat way of composing and thinking of your piece! New types of harmonies and sounds that I'm not used to working with!