Augusta Symphony plays Brahms, Bach and Mahler this weekend

In fact...I just played the first concert tonight.

It went as usual--- great music that we are on the verge of losing but we struggle to the last possible note. Our audience was limited ( as always) but they were appreciative.
I can say that Brahms holds new respect in my eyes-- his 2nd Symphony is like a Beethoven one-up...more syncopation, higher notes, quirkier rhythms and cadences...Good things that are tricky when you least expect them and daunting when you do. A good workout!

What did I miss this time? There were no cookies in Manchester afterwards!
Maybe tomorrow... funny expectation, right?

Thanks

http://www.asomaine.org/

MaineStream at Fusion (for the 3rd time)

Friday, April 20th MaineStream was back at the Fusion lounge for a dance pop gig 9p-12:30a (well past my bed time). Nothing was new save for the chaos in planning this gig since the lead male singer was fired two weeks prior. We worked as a 4 piece band until the night before when we realized that audience participation was more important than the song delivery--- that is always true for Top 40 bands. My hands were full with 3 keyboards and some vocals, so that left the bass player to talk up the male songs. A band without bass has no base (does that sound redundant?). It was hard for him to play and sing/rap as well as freestyle in order to get the audience pumped (I know, I hate using slang on this site, but it is a pop band). A dedicated voice only was needed so the previous member was called back. It went alright save for mixing issues and a few verses skipped or drum breaks missing. It was a gig and I hope it pleased those that danced. Next time we aim to make medleys so that the dance music doesn't stop. In that case, I will wear my Camelback so that I get to replace the water that I lose!

My sunglasses helped when I looked up and saw a series of lights bearing down on me (which changed color at random).

I have video for this time around. I was only able to get a segment since it was taped from an iphone.

I was asked by Brandi prior to singing the song what the lyrics were-- then she remembered.

Thanks!

Stay Hungry

Yes... this is where I got the title from...this man.

What does it mean? It means stay motivated. Stay disciplined and strive for more. He used it to describe a wolf that gets the food, gets too confident and "full", and loses it all because of laziness. Nothing would be lost if that wolf didn't stay hungry.

Tonight I saw two small concerts featuring student and professor composers having their music performed. It was modern in nature-- a little bit Bartok here and Webern there. I do like those composers and I did respect the people I heard tonight--- but it also brought out a fire in me that has dwindled for years.
Hmm-- how many pieces of music and songs have I written? Hundreds. I even recorded many on various instruments in what I deemed the "human element". I have done this since I was 12. Why did I stop? I guess I thought it was high time that I learned the rules and how to play "others" music. Has that been completely worth it? It has made me money to stay alive, it has put me into the mindset of composers, and I have expanded what I like-- so yes it has helped. But it has also made me push my creativity aside-- well, no more.
The biographies I read tonight were fuel enough-- advanced degrees, awards and grants...I never took composing or recording too seriously since I was always full of ideas-- I have passed up many things.
No more.

Expect to see a few changes around here soon. I am just staying hungry.

Maine's Got Talent

I should have posted this a few weeks ago when the event happened-- sorry.

Maine's Got Talent is a show that was hosted by Sandcastle child services at the Ramada Inn.
http://www.sandcastlemaine.org/events

I was told a few weeks prior that I had to accompany the lead singer from MaineStream at this event-- I thought it was going to be small--I was wrong. When I arrived at the soundcheck on the day of the event I saw how big the room was, the stage, and the judging panel?! I guess I would be working.
400 people, $25 a ticket, suits and dresses, 3 local celebrity judges, and 10 groups/performers ready to do battle.What did I get myself into?

The judges were harsh and were looking for a performance. Most of the performers (almost all) sang songs of a religious nature-- which had me worried because of the song we had to play. We were also to go last which made me have to sit through everything. I will not go into detail, but aside from the jokes posed at Milt Simon (the emcee), the woman from WBLM was quite a critic to performers that didn't connect with the audience.
I knew what I had to do.

Brandi (MaineStream) and I went last, after the 2011 New England songwriter of the year went up. Great!
I played with conviction and kept interaction up-- I was the only dedicated accompanist for a singer. In the end, the judges mentioned that I made the song extra special (I did have a tail suit on).

We ended up with 2nd place and of course the 2011 award winner got 1st prize ($750). At least I made gas money and the food was free. All for playing "Someone Like You".

Thanks!