The Ghost of Ear Training Past.

When I was a student at OU I got asked to play drumset for a gig at the school of music. We did an arrangement of Kathy by Moacir Santos that included clarinet and a variety of percussion instruments. I had never heard the tune before then but I really dug it at the time. Fast forward to earlier this year. I wanted to play Kathy at some jazz jams but was not having any luck finding a lead sheet. So I get the idea to transcribe it myself. The melody and bass line were easy enough but the chords (and their chromatic extensions) were another story. This was the moment I kicked myself for not spending  more time on ear training. So, I bit the bullet and started an ear training regimen that was geared towards identifying various seventh chords and their extensions. After several months of work I have finished the tune. My ear is way better off and the process has made me a better musician. So the moral of the story for all of those college music majors out there is: Quit complaining and do the work.

NY Premiere of Emiko

Emiko is going to receive its New York premiere on May 21st. It will be performed by members of Concrete Timbre as a part of their Salon 3 series. The theme for this salon concert is "Expatriate" and will take place at The Drawing Room which is located on 56 Wiloughby St. in Brooklyn, NY. The performance starts at 8PM. 

CHS Indoor Drumline Takes 1st In Class At Missouri Marching Festival

I just wanted to say congrats to the Central High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble (St. Joseph, MO) for placing 1st in their class at the Missouri Marching Festival in Trenton, MO. They gave a fantastic performance of my piece Havana. It was a pleasure working with this talented group of young musicians during the marching season and I hope I will get other opportunities to do so in the future. 

Belmont University Performance

If you are in the Nashville area go check out the Belmont University World Percussion Ensemble, who will be performing my piece Four African Dances. It is an outdoor concert and here are the details

October 9

Belmont University World Percussion Ensemble

performing Four African Dances

Wilson Music Building and Massey Performing Arts Center

(Outdoor Concert)

Belmont University

Nashville, TN

12-1 PM

Recording of The Chocolate Cake Is Bleeding

Just got out of rehearsal with The Iris Project. We are rehearsing for JoeStock, a local music festival in St. Joseph, MO. We are doing a couple of my original tunes and we recorded The Chocolate Cake Is Bleeding. So take a listen and enjoy!