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Summer Goals

Today I mapped out my whole Summer. I'm going to be working on several musical goals 6 days a week:

1. Work through Composing Music by William Russo
2. Finish all of my projects for Professional Orchestration with Peter Alexander
3. Work through the online version of Principles of Orchestration by Rimsky-Korsakov
4. Improve on my familiarity with the work of classical composers.
5. Learn the basics of playing clarinet, flute, and trombone and get some of my trumpet chops back (in preparation for becoming an instrumental music teacher).

I have it all scheduled out on an Excel spreadsheet! I know...I'm a nerd, but it's got me excited about how much I can learn this Summer while I have some time off. I will probably tell you more about it as I go along. Will any of you be interested? Possibly not, but blogging about it is one way of keeping myself accountable!

New Directions

My temporary teaching job came to an end on Friday and I am currently looking for a new one. I have had three interviews so far and will have a fourth tomorrow. I have sent out about 30 resumes so hopefully there will be more to come!

When I first started on this teaching path, I saw it as something to do while I get my composing career going. Now, however, I am beginning to look at teaching as a career that will include composing. Having said that, I am currently working on a master plan to not only improve my composing skills, but to improve my knowledge about music in general. This blog will probably focus more on my progress in this regard than on the theological debates that filled its pages in the past. I am hoping that it will help to solidify the things that I'm learning. As always, it will also be a place where my readers can ask questions, share thoughts, etc.

I also want to announce that my wife, Valerie, will be starting her own blog. I will post the address as soon as she's up and running!

If

I just finished the latest assignment for the online orchestration class I've been taking. The assignment was to write something for solo trombone based on the poem If by Rudyard Kipling. This time I decided to go with a jazz sound.

Keep in mind that these are "sampled" instruments. It's never quite the same as the real thing! This becomes especially apparent when working with a solo instrument like the trombone.

If [2:48]

Certification Update

I have signed up for 3 graduate classes through Villanova for this Summer. I'll be commuting down to Philadelphia 5 days a week, from June 18 to July 13, for all-day classes. Here's what I'm taking:

1. Understanding Rhythm through West African Culture
2. Composing and Arranging World Music for the Classroom
3. Choral Conducting

I'm really hoping the state is able to process my certification quickly once I finish my classes!

9 Credits Short

I found out yesterday that I am 9 credits short in terms of being certified to teach in New Jersey. The requirements state that I must have completed "30 credits in a coherent sequence in the subject field. A coherent sequence requires that at least 12 credits are completed at the advanced level of study (junior, senior or graduate level)."

I have 40 credits in music, but apparently only 3 of them are being considered "advanced level." Needless to say, I am upset about this!

My Wife's an Adult!

My beautiful wife turns 30 today. She is now a full-fledged adult! I am so blessed to be married to this kind, gentle, loving, and flat out cool woman!

Super Villains

In this hero-crazed world we could always use a few stylish super-villains. This is why Captain Bad and Captain Badder agreed to pose for this formal portrait. Beware! As Captain Badder put it, "We will destroy all humans and girls!"

The Sea

This is my second assignment for the online orchestration class I'm taking. This piece features the oboe and is based on a poem called La Mer, by Oscar Wilde. The accompaniment is played by a standard string quartet, which is made up of two violins, a viola, and a cello.

The Sea [2:06]

Early Delivery Fun

Today was supposed to be my first day of observation for my new teaching job. I was supposed to observe the woman I'm filling in for all week. She was supposed to start her maternity leave next week. Maybe you've already guessed what happened.

I got a phone call at 5:00 this morning. She's having her baby. You're it.

I was a little shocked, to put it mildly. I didn't flip out or anything, but I was definitely nervous. Everything went fine, though. I'm sure I'll enjoy myself once I get into the swing of things. The really nice thing is that I'm done with work at 2:03 p.m. four days per week.

Risky Business

I have a new addiction — online Risk. I started playing  on a site called Conquer Club in December. Since December 22nd I've played 44 games and risen to the rank of lieutenant. Only 31 more points and I'll be a captain!

I know...I have officially certified myself as a nerd. It's just too fun, though. In addition to the classic board, they have all kinds of maps you can play on. You can play alone or in teams of two or three. They also have something called freestyle play in which multiple opponents can play at the same time.

Anyway, I knew some of my readers might be interested in joining so I figured I'd post about it here. Let me know if you sign up. I'll help you out with your first loss!