With that concert done, I'm having this group play a Christmas concert. I'm arranging all the music again, probably 6 tunes, which will eventually become part of a book of easy Christmas carols for brass quartet. I feel that book will come in handy for me in the years to come and...hopefully for many other folks out in the world with young brass players who want to play together at Christmas time.
But yeah, once I finish arranging these 6 tunes for the Harbor Brass, my Christmas projects for this year are pretty much done. Phew! That was a pretty crazy last month or so! But, I'm happy with the outcome, and am anxious for Christmas next year, and the output that I have. I may even get an early start on that stuff next year.
And yeah, a word about my compositional output, or lack thereof. I know I haven't been finishing much, and hardly any original works, and I'm bummed about it. But the reason is that I just don't have time. Unless I have a commission, composition isn't as much of a priority right now, compared to family, teaching, and performing. Most of my mornings and afternoons are spent with my two little boys, and my evenings and weekends are spent teaching or spending time with my wife. When I do have some free time during the day, I'm practicing my horn. That's just how it has to be. But I'll be back at it soon. As my kids get older and head of to Kindergarten and beyond, I'll have more time to compose. But, y'know, no rush. I'm cool with how things are now, and my kids are a lot of fun to hang around with all day.
But yeah, keep checking in. I have so many compositional ideas floating around in my head, and I've got some pieces I've started writing. We'll see what I'll be able to produce in the next year. I really want to write a horn concerto...
Take care and value music.