harmonic progression

So, as I was working on my composition tonight, I began to experiment with the different things we learned in class the other day. I'm using the one where the notes are upside down, but I don't see how I can keep the correct harmonic progression and turn the notes upside down. If anyone can help before I get too far, it would be greatly appreciated.

A Couple of Living Composers...

I thought I'd post something about two currently successful American composers that I've mentioned to some people in class. The first is the heavily techno influenced choral composer,Eric Whitacre. [He creates some really astounding a capella works.] He has also started a NEW BLOG which he keeps updated with rehearsals, performances, and releases of his work. If you want to get a true sense of what being a full time composer is like in this day and age, that is a wonderful place to start.

The other composer is Philip Glass who has been not only a great creator and proponent of minimalism, but he has also composed for many films, operas, etc.

The Soloist

There's an intriguing movie set to be released this coming March called The Soloist. This movie traces the interaction between journalist Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Anthony Ayers- a former Julliard cellist who succumbs to schizophrenia and winds up homeless on the streets of L.A. This is based on true events, and the actual articles that Steve Ayers published, beginning in 2005, along with a video journal with actual footage of the REAL Ayers can be found here.

Cheese and Music

This really isn't music related. Well, I guess it can be since we were talking about it in Piano class. But here it is Ms. Sanchez! I found the coolest game ever~

http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/games/fosters/wheeeee/index.html

I am going to put something music related in here though. The other day I was introduced to music by a really awesome pianist named Vienna Teng. Her music is amazing. I like a lot of her songs but this is the first one I heard:

Along Those Lines...

This ties in nicely with the previous post. Here is a performer [Imogen Heap] who is singing a capella and harmonizing with herself using a looper. This was performed live at a radio station. Part of this song appears in the movie "The Holiday." Imogen Heap has also been a major inspiration to classical living composer, Eric Whitacre.

File This Under "Randomly Informative Thoughts"

This video shows a group imitating instruments using the human voice and body [i.e. clapping hands] and a pedal looper as well as special microphones. It's quite interesting, and I enjoy the reference to their a capella barbershop roots.

Playing for the Meeting

Okay, kinda not cool. I was the only person that showed up for the piano playing thing. Or maybe I just went to the wrong place. I hope it's the second option, as embarrassing as that is, because it sucked playing all by myself XD. But at least I got community service hours so I'm okay~

The mysterious song has a name!

I figured it out, Ms. Sanchez!
The song is Build God, Then We'll Talk.
I think there's a video on it but I'm not gonna post it.. too.. adult-ish (for a lack of a better word).
Y'all should listen to it though, it has the Sound of Music reference in it, if I remember correctly > _ <.

More info on Copyrights

Here's some more info on copyright laws, lyrics, and public domain issues.

REMINDER FOR MEGAN

Bring your violin on Monday.

interesting punishment

I thought this story was pretty amusing so I figured I would share. I also think this would be Frances's favorite punishment ever. http://www.comcast.net/articles/music/20081009/ODD.Symphonic.Justice/

Just for Kicks

I thought this was hilarious.

Some Performances of Ancient Greek Music

What are the Words...

ASCAP has a great page with advice on how to legally use lyrics in your compositions. I highly recommend you check it out if you have any questions.