Things have started to lighten up ever so slightly after a non-stop summer/fall of writing and teaching.
Marching band writing season started up in May. Then for nearly 5 months, I lived in the depths of Sibelius, Virtual Drumline, Logic, and MainStage. Within that time I also got my teaching fix with 5 weeks of band camps.
This was the first year that I still had writing to do during and after the band camp season. I'll admit that it was a lot, and I love being able to write music as a career, but the times when I get to teach at various schools throughout the year and connect with the students are really some of the most special and memorable moments.
Not all of the writing I did this season was specific to marching band, which means I'll be able to witness and experience these projects come to life throughout the winter months as well.
I had a friend ask me if I was still writing, since I hadn't posted anything recently about any new percussion ensemble pieces or solos. I had to laugh because of how busy and overwhelmed I felt at times throughout the summer. I'll say that I do enjoy having the versatility of bouncing from the marching world to the concert world while riding the wave of writing requests and commissions. This season, however, the marching world consistently held my primary attention.
Some highlights & what's next:
- 90+ marching bands are playing my music this fall, in a mix of custom and stock percussion arrangements. Some are battery only, some are front ensemble / sound design only, and some are full percussion books.
- Earlier this month I got to make a quick visit to Columbus, OH to attend a couple of band competitions and visit with students and staff from Licking Heights HS and Beavercreek HS.
- Licking Heights and Covington (two of the high schools I wrote for) have received Best Percussion and Grand Champion awards so far this fall.
- It's now time to gear up and prepare for the indoor writing season, but the next project is finalizing my concert band piece, Remedy, for publish.
- See you at PASIC for the Women of the Marching Arts panel discussion!
- I'm on the panel in the composer category. Are there any questions you'd like me to answer?
- Are you playing one of my arrangements this fall? I'd love to hear from you!
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