The Avatar Consorte in Second Life.

Music books so far

So, how far am I now with my music book collection? This month I finished up my clarinet book. It's not possible (really) to organize chronologically, so it is done by ensemble size. Like this: solo clarinet. clarinet and another instrument. clarinet and string quartet clarinet and wind ensemble. Some of these pieces were written pre- computer-music-software days; I had to type these pieces in. Specifically, the piece for solo clarinet. Next month, I release my book of songs, and then my works for guitar.

I wish everybody would learn to sing

Singing in a choir is a great enjoyment; it allows a person not only to use his or her voice, it also gives people a chance to hear and perform excellent music. Music is an important part of life and human culture, and so should be encouraged. Choirs offer people the chance to participate in culture. Too often culture is set aside, especially in this day and age, where we equate money with society. The first thing that pops into one's mind is "I wonder how much it costs?" Culture is a thing that not only has a financial value, it also has a cultural value; that's why a car is just a car, but music is more. Also, it allows for the voice of the local musicians and composers to be heard. For example, a church choir director needs to actively search out the music written by composers living in the area. Although performing music by great composers is perfectly fine, the contemporary voices from the area should also be heard. At least this is what I believe; it ...

Composition Contests

It always seems composition contests are weighted against you. I may not be the best composer in the universe, but I know I'm not terrible. I recently entered a choral composition contest, and, as usual, did not win. The composers that did win were listed, so I found some of their music on YouTube and listened. It was typical choir music that is expected today: sweeping, monotonic, and totally not worth listening to again. Eric Whitacre would be proud. The second thing, and more disturbing, is that I would say they won because they were young and fresh-faced, and are working in music. I do not work professionally in music, and I think this works against the musician. Samuel Barber, for example, called Charles Ives ''a hack who didn't know how to put a piece together." How nice. Amateur composers are given short shrift, I guess.

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