No one reads a blog unless:
a. Your reader is family and feels obligated/only know what's happening in your life by reading
b. You have something to offer
This blog was created in the summer of 2007 as a way to track an overseas trip playing drums in warzones. Since that time, it served as a random update of musical and personal events. The new focus will be to give you ideas and resources for your business- your business of making music a career.
In the Fall of 2010, the Adams State College Music Department officially launches a new emphasis for music students- the Music Business Emphasis. How many musicians do you know who are qualified performers and/or educators, but struggle to make ends meet? This first step will provide a foundation to succeed in the music business.
What will the blog provide? The anecdotal information gleaned through personal experience and continued research will be beneficial for those trying to answer the question, how do I get started/what do I do after college? An incredibly important question which is, unfortunately, often avoided by academics.
To begin, check out these blogs:
The Savvy Musician
Seth's Blog
These two blogs will give you more than enough "food for thought." Bookmark and enjoy.
The information is out there.
J-
My perspective as a percussionist and educator.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
It takes the H1N1 to force a blog update
Here I am, lying in bed with a fever, cough, congestion, and what seems to be the flu. Naturally, it takes an ailment to slow me down and stop pushing forward. It must be time to write.
So what's taken place since the conclusion of the spring semester? Somewhere in there was summer break but for the life of me, I cannot recall what sort of vacation time occurred. I spent quite a bit of time playing in and around OKC, of all places. I played the Music in the Mountains Festival in Durango where I met some wonderful people and enjoyed playing some terrific music at Durango Mountain Resort and the Bootjack Ranch. Other than that, where did the summer go? There were the occasional folk music gigs, pop music gigs, and recording projects, but for whatever reason, nothing is jumping out.... maybe it's the fever.
The school year started with a very motivated drum line, a young but very promising big band, and a very, very busy academic schedule. In addition to nine lessons at the college and three private students, I'm directing the steel drum band, percussion ensemble, big band, teaching a section of music literature, percussion methods, jazz improvisation, and assisting with the marching band. At some point, I have to get the basketball band up and running. In addition, there are the regular trips to Dallas, gigs with Eric Shiveley, some recent recordings at Don Richmond's studio for Michael Hearn, Nick Branchal (ASC faculty member and founder of all of the great Mariachi ensembles in Colorado and New Mexico), and Fred Hargrove.
We've accomplished a very early homecoming concert with the steel drum band, jazz combo, and big band, and another is just around the corner. Hopefully, as I continue to lay here in bed and type, the big band is rehearsing without me! Same goes for tonight's community and college steel drum bands...
Over the weekend, as this flu was starting to settle in, I rehearsed with Denver singer/songwriter, Andy Ard for an upcoming gig in Morrison. He is a wonderful musician and I am grateful to get to play with him. We met years ago at a video shoot for Eric Shiveley's movie, played a gig together with Eric a year and a half ago, and now a trio gig with a Denver bassist, Steve Millin.
It's also a pleasure to have a gradually growing rep with Tracy where we can play without too much preparation or stress. I fact, we recently performed together in Sequoia National Park at a retreat center for a wedding. A beatiful setting for a beatiful wedding. It was memorable for it's uniqueness, as well as the family of bears we came across!
In case I don't get around to another update anytime soon, some other projects include a series of clinics throughout the area, including the Colorado Day of Percussion with She-e Wu. A gig with the Taos chamber music group, Soundscapes, and a few more surprises. It's also time for another faculty recital... perhaps early May? First, I must conquer the flu, then some new repertoire.
So what's taken place since the conclusion of the spring semester? Somewhere in there was summer break but for the life of me, I cannot recall what sort of vacation time occurred. I spent quite a bit of time playing in and around OKC, of all places. I played the Music in the Mountains Festival in Durango where I met some wonderful people and enjoyed playing some terrific music at Durango Mountain Resort and the Bootjack Ranch. Other than that, where did the summer go? There were the occasional folk music gigs, pop music gigs, and recording projects, but for whatever reason, nothing is jumping out.... maybe it's the fever.
The school year started with a very motivated drum line, a young but very promising big band, and a very, very busy academic schedule. In addition to nine lessons at the college and three private students, I'm directing the steel drum band, percussion ensemble, big band, teaching a section of music literature, percussion methods, jazz improvisation, and assisting with the marching band. At some point, I have to get the basketball band up and running. In addition, there are the regular trips to Dallas, gigs with Eric Shiveley, some recent recordings at Don Richmond's studio for Michael Hearn, Nick Branchal (ASC faculty member and founder of all of the great Mariachi ensembles in Colorado and New Mexico), and Fred Hargrove.
We've accomplished a very early homecoming concert with the steel drum band, jazz combo, and big band, and another is just around the corner. Hopefully, as I continue to lay here in bed and type, the big band is rehearsing without me! Same goes for tonight's community and college steel drum bands...
Over the weekend, as this flu was starting to settle in, I rehearsed with Denver singer/songwriter, Andy Ard for an upcoming gig in Morrison. He is a wonderful musician and I am grateful to get to play with him. We met years ago at a video shoot for Eric Shiveley's movie, played a gig together with Eric a year and a half ago, and now a trio gig with a Denver bassist, Steve Millin.
It's also a pleasure to have a gradually growing rep with Tracy where we can play without too much preparation or stress. I fact, we recently performed together in Sequoia National Park at a retreat center for a wedding. A beatiful setting for a beatiful wedding. It was memorable for it's uniqueness, as well as the family of bears we came across!
In case I don't get around to another update anytime soon, some other projects include a series of clinics throughout the area, including the Colorado Day of Percussion with She-e Wu. A gig with the Taos chamber music group, Soundscapes, and a few more surprises. It's also time for another faculty recital... perhaps early May? First, I must conquer the flu, then some new repertoire.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
One Week to Go!!
Greetings- These blog updates tend to be few and far between. Since the last post, I've been a bit swamped with booking a tour of Oklahoma, teaching classes and lessons, and either directing or performing recitals. The past few weeks included a performance for the dedication of some new Guatemalan marimbas for the valley's Guatemalan community, the final jazz ensembles concert of the year, a performance with saxophonist Ryan Janus, and the capstone performance for my percussionists, the spring ASC Percussion Ensemble and Steel Drum Bands performance. Everything was a success and we are a week from finals. Tracy and I have a duo recital on May 3rd at 7pm Leon Recital Hall which should be fun. We have selected some interesting works, including opportunities for me to play some tar and bendir, as well as the usual marimba,vibraphone, and drummy stuff.
An interesting opportunity closes Tuesday night with my lecture on the music of Pakistan for a class taught by 16 different professors from different disciplines throughout the semester. Could there be a country more important for our future? The preparation for my section of the course has taught me a lot about Pakistan and raised my awareness beyond the headlines.
My to do list for the summer looks promising. I cannot wait to begin!
An interesting opportunity closes Tuesday night with my lecture on the music of Pakistan for a class taught by 16 different professors from different disciplines throughout the semester. Could there be a country more important for our future? The preparation for my section of the course has taught me a lot about Pakistan and raised my awareness beyond the headlines.
My to do list for the summer looks promising. I cannot wait to begin!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)