Instruments!

The Philharmonic Orchestra has a great site with information on the traditional instruments we're discussing in class, as well as some "world" instruments. Go explore!

Finale!

Alright, I haven't really told any of you this, yet, but I'm pretty sure 99% of you already know that I won a mini grant to get Finale installed on about 12 or 13 of the computers in the lab at school. To contrast that, I'd like you guys to read an article by Eric Whitacre pretty much bashing Finale and a lot of the things we do in class. I think this should provide some interesting discussion. Actually, when I was a composition major in college, I refused to use Finale until my last year; then, naturally, I got addicted once I tried it.

Rockband Creator Video

The video we were trying to watch can be found here. I want you to think about his discussion of goals for his company, as well as how he markets his work. To be a succesful professional in any field requires this kind of focus and a set of detailed, clear goals. Also, as composers, the gaming industry is an exciting new frontier to be explored as a means of not only affecting your audience, but even promoting your own unique sound.

Trumpet vs Cornet

Both of these link to a youtube video that features that instrument playing the Super Mario theme. This is a school affiliated website, so I promise no Rickrolling.


Trumpet
Cornet

Notice that the trumpet makes pfbbbbbt noises, and the cornet is more mellow. It's cause the cornet is more conical.

File this under: "People You Don't Hear About Until They're Dead"

Odetta was a pretty influential folk singer who has a pretty interesting story that is definitely worth a read. She was hoping to sing at Barack Obama's inauguration, but she never will get that chance. Why? Because she just died.

World Aids Awareness Day

I thought it would be fitting to see how musicians around the world are using their talents to benefit society by raising funds for finding a cure as well as increasing AIDs awareness to hopefully rid the stigma surrounding it and ultimately save lives.

From Senegal, we have Baaba Mal, a singer.

Then we have what's left of Queen reaching out to the Ukraine.

Then there's Sheryl Lee Ralph and of course, out own beloved, if not sometimes slightly misguided MTV.