Promise Delivered!

Hey guys,

So I promised to share a sound recording of Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps with you and so I'm making good on that today.

Now, let me just say, once I heard the score played by an actual band, I was able to hear the flaws in the score much more clearly. So here's what I hear that needs tweaking:

• The trumpets are too soft. Can't hardly hear them at all. 
• The Saxophonists got confused and thought they were supposed to provide the solo. Though, it's a killer solo, it's actually meant for trumpet. 
• I had forgotten the Piano and Guitar part at home. No big deal, but, there was a really cool piano part that is now missing from the recording. :(
• I felt it was fast. You can hear the trumpets playing their parts super fast. 

Now for what's right:

• IT Works! Yay! Forgive me if I pat myself on the back a little, I am a little proud of that. The last score I tried to write for big band ended in catastrophe! I was so broken by the humiliation, I didn't try this again for 4 or 5 years. So glad I did!
• I love the song and even though I feel I'm a little pitchy (due to excitement), it sounds amazing.
• River Cities Jazz Band - The band I get the honor of working with is such an open, accepting group. Thank you to them for allowing me to contribute in this way. 

If you are starting out in arranging and composing and have fallen flat, don't lose heart! And certainly don't wait 4 or 5 years to get back up on the horse. Go back to the books! Learn and try again. I am certainly glad I found the book, Jazz Composition and Arranging in the Digital Age. 

Keep moving forward. Keep working on your next latest and greatest. That's where I'm headed. :)

Bench Marks

Happy Veteran's Day! 

Let me take this moment to say thank you to the men and women of our nation who served their country selflessly. 

GOD BLESS YOU!!!

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So, what's the buzz? What's happening? What's the crazy lady up to now? 

Well, first let me tell you a few exciting things... 

I got one of my new original songs put into a show! And, a good friend of mine recorded a portion of it for me on their phone so I could share it with you.

Yeah, I know the video clips off abruptly, but I'm still thrilled that it's available. Here's a pic of me in my costume. I love the wig. It's my favorite thing. 

This Friday, I will be singing with the River Cities Jazz Band , an arrangement of Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps that I did. I'll bring my go pro, so that you can hear it from start to finish. So, I'm hoping to share that with you after the weekend. 

In other astonishing and fun news, I'm writing a show! A sort of musical with many elements to it. I'm super excited about it... Can you tell? 

I've written shows before, and I just love the process. It's so amazing to have an idea in your head and heart and be able to connect with other people because of it. That's what I really hope to do, speak an amazing message into people's hearts and watch them carry it into their future - in a positive, helpful way. 

So.... What about my music theory studies? They've been put on hold for now. I'm so busy writing that I'm learning as we go, but am so thankful that I have this blog to look back on as a reference and guide. 

We're on our way! Full steam ahead. We are making progress. I even have this reminder on my phone's lock screen. 

KEEP MOVING FORWARD! You can do it. I know you can. Write, learn, grow. Life is amazing. Make the most of it.