No.1...I've completed my orchestration. Thank goodness for that. I was starting to think that it was going to remain elusive for the rest of my living days!
No.2...I went to London yesterday to a 'champagne reception' and talk / music with the astounding Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. His horn quintet (I am sure it has a better name, but for now that'll do!), was conducted by Jonathan Mann - academy conductor. Class job J man! I took him to one side at the end, and asked for his help with conducting. As part of my course, we are taking a class in orchestration and conducting. Now - nothing yet has been 'comfortable', but conducting??? the last thing I conducted was the school orchestra when I was 14 - and they made me stand on a chair because I was too small to be seen by the backline...Aah, nothing changes, except that I now have a collection of fine 6" heels, which may do the job as well as any grey school chair! However - leading a shit hot ensemble in contemporary music? So glad I've met Jonathan. We're having coffee Thursday lunchtime; he says he'll show me the basics. (I wonder if he knows just how basic that is!!!)
2.2; met Colin - Max's partner. he was lovely. Showed me lots of pics of where they live in Orkney. Then invited me up to visit! Ah yes, a weekend with Max n Colin, and maybe little red wine? Sounds good to me!
No.3..serendipity. I was on my way home, for the 'early night'...10.32 from Victoria...all good. Until I bumped into a fellow musician and virtual stranger on the station. Daniel was on his way to Ronnie Scotts to see Jon Hendricks (whom I was supposed to be in a masterclass with this week, but couldn't make, because of a tragic timetable clash). He said 'come'...I said 'no...I must work'...
so then we're at Ronnies. I got in by luck, some American visitors had a spare ticket, and more than kindly invited me to join them or the evening. So I Did! Funny how life pans out huh?
They would not even consider letting me pay for my ticket, and shared their Tattinger champagne with me, while we watched the king of vocalise do his thing.
No.4...Pete was there too (king of jazz, light shiner on my world)..and introduced me to James (boss of Ronnies). He said how much he loves LVP, and that he wants us to sing there!
Ronnie Scotts. LVP. Max, Colin, Orkney. My friend Jules, My children.
My friend Oz, for percussion advice at any time of night.
My friend Hollie, who is going to crack the smoking thing!
My choir
My family
My sanity
welcome to my world...
It's kinda fun!
Nunight friends x
Monday 22 November 2010
Wednesday 17 November 2010
The leap of faith...
And so, my tumble into the abyss was not so bad afterall...
Did I mention that my tutor asked me to orchestrate my music theatre piece (When I hit the street) without any 'musical' aids? No piano, no sibelius, just me and my pencil (and rubber, bien sur!), and a big pile of manuscript paper.
Hmm.
Thing is; I did a whole undergrad degree in which my music was abstract. Dots on the page, but never on the music stand (except my jazz pieces, which I performed, and my big band piece). One of things that freaks me out, is the musicians who are going to take my dots and turn them into sound. They are all class, and most of them 'top class'. It's a pressure, you know...the 'big, wide world' thing.
So..picture this, if you will.. 20 pages of A3 manuscript; 1 vocal part, 1 gaping score. 16 musicians and a load of musical theatrics men ready to sing, with heart and soul, the words of these 'tortured' prisoners.
No pressure then?!
I've had a ball, writing this stuff. Orchestrating by ear, by heart and by theory...
So I took it to Gary today; and you know what? He likes it!
Some nips and tucks, but it's all there.
So tonight, I had an evening off. Spoke to my kids, who make me proud and happy every day. Saw my brother, who is my special fave. Spoke to Jules, who is my princess, and did my very best to be strong without my people here...Alex, Oj, Nel....it's so quiet. But not lonely...so I'll be okay I guess.
the world spins, and a daily question?... my own place within this madness...well, don't we all?
Nunight friends xxx
Did I mention that my tutor asked me to orchestrate my music theatre piece (When I hit the street) without any 'musical' aids? No piano, no sibelius, just me and my pencil (and rubber, bien sur!), and a big pile of manuscript paper.
Hmm.
Thing is; I did a whole undergrad degree in which my music was abstract. Dots on the page, but never on the music stand (except my jazz pieces, which I performed, and my big band piece). One of things that freaks me out, is the musicians who are going to take my dots and turn them into sound. They are all class, and most of them 'top class'. It's a pressure, you know...the 'big, wide world' thing.
So..picture this, if you will.. 20 pages of A3 manuscript; 1 vocal part, 1 gaping score. 16 musicians and a load of musical theatrics men ready to sing, with heart and soul, the words of these 'tortured' prisoners.
No pressure then?!
I've had a ball, writing this stuff. Orchestrating by ear, by heart and by theory...
So I took it to Gary today; and you know what? He likes it!
Some nips and tucks, but it's all there.
So tonight, I had an evening off. Spoke to my kids, who make me proud and happy every day. Saw my brother, who is my special fave. Spoke to Jules, who is my princess, and did my very best to be strong without my people here...Alex, Oj, Nel....it's so quiet. But not lonely...so I'll be okay I guess.
the world spins, and a daily question?... my own place within this madness...well, don't we all?
Nunight friends xxx
Wednesday 10 November 2010
and breathe......
Oh my. I swear it's getting crazier in here!
I'm having the most amazing time at the academy, but it is certainly taking a little bit of me with it.
The problem really is time. I simply don't have enough of it. Now, I am a pretty disciplined person, but despite my best efforts, there are times when it simply seems more important to vacuum the stairs than to orchestrate my music theatre piece. Or that I simply have to have fresh peppermint for my tea if I am to work effectively. Or that tragic right hand, that reaches out for the mouse and of its own volition, finds its way to the facebook time vacuum!
I have not turned the tv on since summer. So at least that's something. And, you know what, I probably spend as much time as anyone else on the work / distraction quota. But I'm pretty hard on myself, and when the kids are here, there simply are things that have to be done (especially cuddles!) Ah, the balance eludes me.
Have had some great musical moments this week tho. My music theatre short score is done and submitted, and I've done a scratch recording of it, which is great. I have discovered that I prefer to orchestrate with pencil and paper, and in fact, since I saw Gary on Tuesday, he has encouraged me to do only that; to develop my 'inner ear'. So I've got a big fat A3 canvas to fill in. It's a pretty big ensemble...wish me luck! Have 1 week to get it done. I keep hearing that countdown musical theme; it's my current, and frustrating ear-worm. Running round and round my 'inner ear'...I reckon that once my piece is completed, if you listen carefully, there just might be a moment when you hear the countdown theme sneaking into the clarinets...!
Orchestration class is starting to make a little sense; I don't feel like a complete retard anymore, which is good. We are gong to the 'wand shop' tomorrow; off to buy our batons! Hurrah. Mine shall be made with the feather of a phoenix, and the orchestra will obey my every whim!
I had a lovely outing with my friend Jules. We had a moment of culture at the tate modern. It was a great experience, and it was just lovely to hang out with my buddy...I don't get much time for things like that. Mwah the Jules.
I find myself drawn to the composition of new material for instruments with less repertoire. Basically the accordion and the bassoon. The thing is, that I am in a place where the best players in the world are happy to sit with you and show you their instrument, and talk about the details of playing style and application. My first collaboration will be with Rafal Luc, who is the most amazing accordion player, and is showing me around this fascinating and complex instrument. On Tuesday, I had an accordion lesson, and to play it was such a great idea. Now I have a feel for the workings of it, and can't wait to get writing. (the only thing was that his accordion is really big...and I am really small. It was comedy!)
So next week, it's LVP, Roehampton dance, Chroma ensemble, Music theatre orchestration, MAX MSP, too much coffee, and less distractions.
Maybe coffee with my bro, and dinner with Jules?...well, we all need a break sometime...x
I'm having the most amazing time at the academy, but it is certainly taking a little bit of me with it.
The problem really is time. I simply don't have enough of it. Now, I am a pretty disciplined person, but despite my best efforts, there are times when it simply seems more important to vacuum the stairs than to orchestrate my music theatre piece. Or that I simply have to have fresh peppermint for my tea if I am to work effectively. Or that tragic right hand, that reaches out for the mouse and of its own volition, finds its way to the facebook time vacuum!
I have not turned the tv on since summer. So at least that's something. And, you know what, I probably spend as much time as anyone else on the work / distraction quota. But I'm pretty hard on myself, and when the kids are here, there simply are things that have to be done (especially cuddles!) Ah, the balance eludes me.
Have had some great musical moments this week tho. My music theatre short score is done and submitted, and I've done a scratch recording of it, which is great. I have discovered that I prefer to orchestrate with pencil and paper, and in fact, since I saw Gary on Tuesday, he has encouraged me to do only that; to develop my 'inner ear'. So I've got a big fat A3 canvas to fill in. It's a pretty big ensemble...wish me luck! Have 1 week to get it done. I keep hearing that countdown musical theme; it's my current, and frustrating ear-worm. Running round and round my 'inner ear'...I reckon that once my piece is completed, if you listen carefully, there just might be a moment when you hear the countdown theme sneaking into the clarinets...!
Orchestration class is starting to make a little sense; I don't feel like a complete retard anymore, which is good. We are gong to the 'wand shop' tomorrow; off to buy our batons! Hurrah. Mine shall be made with the feather of a phoenix, and the orchestra will obey my every whim!
I had a lovely outing with my friend Jules. We had a moment of culture at the tate modern. It was a great experience, and it was just lovely to hang out with my buddy...I don't get much time for things like that. Mwah the Jules.
I find myself drawn to the composition of new material for instruments with less repertoire. Basically the accordion and the bassoon. The thing is, that I am in a place where the best players in the world are happy to sit with you and show you their instrument, and talk about the details of playing style and application. My first collaboration will be with Rafal Luc, who is the most amazing accordion player, and is showing me around this fascinating and complex instrument. On Tuesday, I had an accordion lesson, and to play it was such a great idea. Now I have a feel for the workings of it, and can't wait to get writing. (the only thing was that his accordion is really big...and I am really small. It was comedy!)
So next week, it's LVP, Roehampton dance, Chroma ensemble, Music theatre orchestration, MAX MSP, too much coffee, and less distractions.
Maybe coffee with my bro, and dinner with Jules?...well, we all need a break sometime...x
Wednesday 3 November 2010
Gunpowder, treason and plot...
So, the plot thickens...will she possibly make the deadlines that are looming so large? Can she ever immerse herself into a world of contemporary classical craziness to such an extent that writing in that style is not faked or forced?
John Williams writes 9-5 every day. He aims to complete between 30 seconds to 2 minutes of music in that time. I was shitting myself with the '3 weeks to compose 8 minutes' deadline for Chroma that arrived in my inbox on Friday.
In isolation, it might be possible. Coupled with orchestrating my music theatre piece, recording and composing a soundtrack for the 'Horripilation' animated short, planning the piece for the Roehampton dance project...oh my, I can't complete the list; it's exhausting!
Anyway, have a lot on my plate. An awful lot ;)
Went to see my friend Gary this afternoon. Laid my fears in his lap. He is the lamb, and has mended my temporary tilt into beyond stress. He phoned Phil (head of composition), and has delayed my Chroma piece until the second deadline, which gives me a couple of extra weeks. There is light!
Then he showed me the delights of scoring in logic. Simply blows the socks off sibelius in certain areas. So that's my ticket for now...score the music theatre piece in logic, research suitable styles and instrumentation techniques for Chroma. Await the imminent arrival of the storyboard for animation project. Learn Jon Hendricks arrangements for LVP ready for the masterclass on 19 Nov. Get my soft head around MAX MSP.
A little aside is a new collaboration with Rafal. Yr 4 accordion player. He is amazing! Polish dude, prize winning player and up for new music. Accordion is another step beyond my comfort zone (maybe I just don't have a comfort zone at this level?!!). Spent a happy hour or more in the library with Rafal today looking at scores and analysing the good and bad elements of scores. There is a market for this music. I am certainly going to explore this area...and if I can do it with one of the best players in the world?...well, who wouldn't?
Funny thing is. I'm happy. I'm doing it. My kids came to school with me on Friday (their half term, of course, not mine). They were golden. Took them for dinner at Hayes Galleria....we have some super adventures Oj, Nel and me, and if I ever worry that they do not get the best of me, I try to think of our adventures; and there are so many! I know I'm not the text book mother figure, but I am 3 dimensional, and I love to have fun, so it's not so bad I think, being my child. How many children have been backstage in many London venues, have sung with Cleo Laine? (OJ?!), have hung out at the Royal Academy of Music? Have met Mr. Bobby Mc Ferrin, Mr. Peter Churchill, Mr. Simon Bainbridge? Bless my people. They keep me real, and they are always up for a hug. {{{MWAH}}}
Nunight then. Sweet dreams x
John Williams writes 9-5 every day. He aims to complete between 30 seconds to 2 minutes of music in that time. I was shitting myself with the '3 weeks to compose 8 minutes' deadline for Chroma that arrived in my inbox on Friday.
In isolation, it might be possible. Coupled with orchestrating my music theatre piece, recording and composing a soundtrack for the 'Horripilation' animated short, planning the piece for the Roehampton dance project...oh my, I can't complete the list; it's exhausting!
Anyway, have a lot on my plate. An awful lot ;)
Went to see my friend Gary this afternoon. Laid my fears in his lap. He is the lamb, and has mended my temporary tilt into beyond stress. He phoned Phil (head of composition), and has delayed my Chroma piece until the second deadline, which gives me a couple of extra weeks. There is light!
Then he showed me the delights of scoring in logic. Simply blows the socks off sibelius in certain areas. So that's my ticket for now...score the music theatre piece in logic, research suitable styles and instrumentation techniques for Chroma. Await the imminent arrival of the storyboard for animation project. Learn Jon Hendricks arrangements for LVP ready for the masterclass on 19 Nov. Get my soft head around MAX MSP.
A little aside is a new collaboration with Rafal. Yr 4 accordion player. He is amazing! Polish dude, prize winning player and up for new music. Accordion is another step beyond my comfort zone (maybe I just don't have a comfort zone at this level?!!). Spent a happy hour or more in the library with Rafal today looking at scores and analysing the good and bad elements of scores. There is a market for this music. I am certainly going to explore this area...and if I can do it with one of the best players in the world?...well, who wouldn't?
Funny thing is. I'm happy. I'm doing it. My kids came to school with me on Friday (their half term, of course, not mine). They were golden. Took them for dinner at Hayes Galleria....we have some super adventures Oj, Nel and me, and if I ever worry that they do not get the best of me, I try to think of our adventures; and there are so many! I know I'm not the text book mother figure, but I am 3 dimensional, and I love to have fun, so it's not so bad I think, being my child. How many children have been backstage in many London venues, have sung with Cleo Laine? (OJ?!), have hung out at the Royal Academy of Music? Have met Mr. Bobby Mc Ferrin, Mr. Peter Churchill, Mr. Simon Bainbridge? Bless my people. They keep me real, and they are always up for a hug. {{{MWAH}}}
Nunight then. Sweet dreams x
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