In The Making: A Rock Opera

2012 Goals and Ambitions

Ahh, at last! Happy New Year everybody and I hope everyone out there had a safe and welcoming way to bring the new digit of “2” in to our lives. A clean slate for all of us and a new beginning for some of us out there, mark down your goals and ambitions and without a doubt keep them high priority. If it means a lot to you, why not aim for it? Just a thought…

So with this new year bring an important decision for the rock opera. At last, my undergraduate collegiate career is coming to a close, my long term plans as for more schooling (orchestral conducting). But for the next academic year, I will be taking a break, to focus on certain projects, such as this and my suite about the Penn State football team (check out my other blog for more information- pennstatefootballsuite.tumblr.com).

Making it in this busy world is what baffles me sometimes- the art of joining cliques, the idea of standard concert procedure and breaking it to make a profound artistic statement- which I believe some composers do, but their reasons are completely over analyzing the concert experience. Why not do it because…you can?

Which, I guess leads to my reasoning not to sugarcoat my artistic ideas with…overall, bullshit.

The past four years, I have tried to find my niche, which I believe undergrad is supposed to do, and I have fallen back in love with rock music. It is a beautiful art form, and an art I love to perfect- songwriting, improvisation and collaborating with others. By rock, I use that term loosely because I delve into free jazz and funk (but aren’t they all brothers from another mother?).

The umbrella for this year and academic year would be to finish the rock opera. It will take a lot of teamwork to complete it, but again, this sumer is vital for completion. In all honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better team because I really do trust the creative folks I’m working with. Over Christmas break I met up with Harry Fahrer (lyrics) again- and the excitement was still there for the project…even a new project emerged (let’s just say a musical in progress). But, one at a time here, please, folks. Amanda has been busy writing and studying Latin at Bowling Green, but her interest still thrives as well. Patience is a virtue. One beautiful aspect of the creative team is our productive rate skyrockets when we all of our attention is zeroed in on what we need to do. In some two weeks or so, Amanda finished the first version of the Act I script, and Harry provided lyrics every weekend. This is something I definitely look forward to this coming summmer…when we all have the time.

Of course revisions will be made! How could you not think of that, reader?

Balancing out the progress will be the act of retracing our steps. The scripts, lyrics and music will be looked over, most likely a countless amount of times to make sure our best work is put into it. After all, you never know who is watching and what could happen to this.. 

I always try to keep that in mind. Not for the popularity aspect, but to think about putting our best work out there in public. Each stroke of the pen will be visible by the public and to get the most out of it, the best effort must be put forward.

Well, yeah, I think you get the picture for my goals/ambitions this new year.

Overall, to do epic shit and get it done. Can’t wait to get started…well, actually, it’s already begun!

Music in Review

This week I will be taking a look back at what I have composed the past couple of months. My recital, coming up sometime in the spring will be my last “organized” performance under the level of academia. So, without a doubt, I am going to do my best in order to get the most out of my music and their performers involved. One thing I have noticed with my music is that it is always best performed with friends and when in the company of friends. Now, friends can be a loosely used term, but really, anyone who is there for the joy of music and to have fun, is considered a friend to me.

As excited as I am to get the project even more off the ground, it is going to take some time. Not that I’m a perfectionist (often with the rock opera I am), but I do want to take my time with the stages involved in creating the finished product (lyrics, character interactions and of course, music). I’ve written notes about what I want, and what should happen in specific places, but alas, the ideas seem to pile up like your old Legos you don’t play with anymore.

All in good time with the finished product be recorded then released, but in this musical world, how to promote it, is key. But, lets worry about that later and focus our attention to important things like musical elements and the quality of the singers. Right?

I hear a single off the new album by Coldplay…they’re keeping up with the times (party synth anyone?)

I’m out.

9 Lessons and Carols

As we embark on this Advent season, I am really excited for the wonderful opportunities we all have to hear great music. Whether we all are religious or not, we all can agree that when we hear good church music…we hear good church music.

Currently, I am employed at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Every year, we have a service of 9 Lessons and Carols, celebrating the season of Advent and of course, togetherness. This is my third service of L&C and it does get better and better each year.

The choir is at about 45 this year, which, I believe provides an intimate yet large embracing sound for the congregation. It doesn’t matter how large one’s choir is, but the most we all can get out of the music and the message being brought. Forget what denomination we all are a part of and just enjoy the message and music that is being given to us all. Remember, eventually, we’re all aiming to be in the same place.

I have yet to see the King’s College L&C service, but I hope to take a trip to England and view the spectacle in person. One day. But for now, I must say, I am truly content by the magical sounds I hear at St. Andrew’s and the close-knit relationship a small, cozy little town can have for their church, any church for that matter.

Folks, don’t be disappointed if you cannot buy a gift for someone- return the favor with a good deed (cook them dinner or something). Our Christmas season doesn’t have to be materialistic and much more can be given and felt with something we all cannot see. 

Cheers.

Finals=Over

At last it has finally happened…for this semester at least. The dreaded finals week and riff and raff has completed. So now, we college students in the world can do what we do best (aside from working): catching up on lost sleep and relaxing.

So, all of you college folks out there, take some time to relax, spend time with family this holiday season and enjoy the company that surrounds you.

Oh, also, listen to good music, too.

More time to compose the rock opera! 

Speaking of which- now that I have more time, I was thinking about writings some tunes that I don’t plan on being in the final product. Basically, if we record a full-length album, these pieces won’t be included (most likely due to their meaning). It’ll make those live performances more…interesting, do I dare say?

I’ll try to keep more in touch.

Bands Needed

So, many of you may not know this, but currently I co-host an internet radio program titled “The Fun Box.” Alongside my co-host Mike, we discuss everything we can think of and overall help keep you company while you read and/or write that paper due the next day.

In the spring, we will be setting a world record (basically the longest college radio broadcast) and would like bands from across the country to be involved.

How?

By sending music for airplay. Also, if the band would like be on the show, that would be great too. The Fun Box is an up-and-coming program and would like to connect with others across this great nation and beyond.

The purpose of the record attempt is to raise awareness for Restless Legs Syndrome.

If any bands out there want to participate or if you know of a good band that wants free promotion, please reblog or comment with information.

Thanks all!

Iron Bowl Thoughts

A busy week it has been, but I’ll take some time to blog to you.

The weather has begun to change and as we get closer and closer to Thanksgiving, you and I both know that snow is coming (at least in the north portion of the United States). Bring out the turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, cornbread (yes, cornbread) and other classics. Of course as we eat our delicious food at the table there is always that urge, for me at least, to sit in front of the television and watch some football.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, our usual “Thanksgiving Classic” is the Backyard Brawl- University of Pittsburgh vs West Virginia University). I’ve attended one game b(l)ack in the day and man what a ride it was. I was only 8 or so and wasn’t too in the know of everything, but it still was something special.

But this year, my plans are a little bit different- even though I won’t be on the road, the Iron Bowl seems to be the game of choice this year. Recently, I watched a ESPN film about the historic game between Alabama and Auburn. Even if you aren’t a college football fan (or a football fan in general!) the rivalry is very unique. And, as a northerner, I’ve come to realize over the past 21 years that folks down south are 1) passionate about their football, and 2) will do anything to get a 1-up on the opponent.

I think one intense example would be an Alabama fan who poisoned Auburn’s historic oak trees on their campus. But, I guess that really shows us how passionate and low fans can get come game week.

All in all, I cannot wait to see what will happen next week. I’m considering taking a trip down to Alabama for the game next year, just to give a great first-hand experience of the culture. Who’s in? 

Maybe some music will come out of it…who knows?

-What does this have to do with music…absolutely nothing. But thanks for reading (or skipping to the bottom).

Come next Friday, my blog will be the colors of whom I think is going to win the game. Stay tuned to find out…and if I can even find these colors…