It's something I've been through a lot in my career. I mean, I've had over 20 pieces rehearsed and performed for the first time with me around. That moment when I first hear a piece played live is when the music comes alive, separating itself for the computerized instruments that play back my compositions on my music notation software. Once I hear it live, I usually fall in love with it all over again, and I usually get some great compliments and feedback from the people playing it.
And I wonder what people are going to think of this concerto. I have a really good feeling about this piece. I consider it my best work so far. I really want to share this piece with the horn community on Facebook, but I have to wait until I get a recording of me and the orchestra playing it, because a computer file just won't do. People don't want to hear that. Imagine if your first impression of Mahler's 2nd symphony was done on a computer program...ugh, not good.
On a slightly different but still related subject, I must say that I am very fortunate to know and work with Anna Edwards. For those of you who don't know her, she's an orchestral educator and conductor in the Seattle area that has had an amazing career. She conducts the Saratoga Orchestra, and she has provided some great opportunities for me already, and will surely have many more in the future. It was her that got me connected with the Gothard Sisters, as I'm now their orchestral arranger (unofficially, mind you...hehe) .Plus, I've gotten to play principal for her orchestra for the last couple years. And, of course, it was her idea for me to write this concerto. So I already have her to thank after two years of knowing her.
I got to spend an hour with her today, with the purpose to work on my concerto and figure out how we're going to play this thing. Not only did we do that, but we got to talk a lot about a number of subjects in music. I'm so happy I got that time to do a little bonding. What was most fulfilling was hearing her repeated praises of my composition of this concerto, as well as my work with for the Gothards. I mean, this woman has worked with countless composers and played countless pieces over the years, and she's giving me such positive feedback. She commented on how my music made her think of film score music and its ability to describe things. Film scores are my absolute passion; I wanted to be an orchestral musician in the first place because I wanted to play and record film scores. She even went so far as to recommend I go to then Film Score Institute here in Seattle. Apparently she's good friends with Hummie Mann, who's responsible for that program. I wish I could make that work. Being a film score composer would be an honor...Of course, I'm one of thousands of young composers out there who want to do that, so I can't be too hopeful on that one. But still, y'know, just thinking about what it would be like to be a film score composer gets me all excited.
But anyways, in addition to talking about my composition, Anna and I also talked about the horn student of mine who won an audition to be involved with the orchestra this season. This orchestra has this thing called the Talent Development Program, allowing high school students to sit in and rehearsal and perform with the orchestra, to gain experience and coaching from professionals. My star horn student, a senior, won the audition and will be very involved this year. Her first big opportunity is that she gets to play the 2nd horn part all on her own for my concerto. I'm very excited for her, and a little nervous, I must admit. As a teacher, I always worry for my students. But rightly so, this 2nd horn part isn't a walk in the park, and there are times when it is quite exposed. But I do have confidence in her, because she has shown so much growth in the year and a half I've worked with her, and I've been working diligently with her on this piece. It's just really cool that one of my own students, who's going off to a music career of her own, gets to premiere this piece with me.
Thanks for reading to the end on this one...phew...I had a lot to say!
Take care and value music.