June 2006 Newsletter

"Out of clutter, find Simplicity.
From discord, find Harmony.
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." 

- Albert Einstein

Dissonance is a matter of perspective. A major-seven chord will sound dissonant amidst a progression of pure triads - but it will sound pretty tame next to a dominant-seven, flat-nine, thirteen chord. Shostakovich is one of my favorite composer's when it comes to dissonance. He smatters his works with "wrong notes," creating moments of tortured musical phrases - the "russian crunch" I like to call it. Stravinsky is another favorite - In "Symphony of Psalms," he voices major triads above "wrong-note-roots" (roots of a different tonality) - neato! And a trick I've made use of many a time. To hear one of my compositions inspired by these two geniuses, click here: The Curse of Circe (1meg) . Or for some jazzy dissonance, check this out: Seven Steps (1meg) .

I only bring this stuff up because I've been getting into arranging Big-Band music again. The Brad Steinwehe Big Band will be finishing their debut recording later this summer, and it will feature some of my work. Stay tuned for that!

In other personal news, I've finished all the application processes for my SDSU Master Degree work, to begin next fall; I was recently made a Fellowcraft Mason - one more degree to go!; and I just tiled my bathroom floor - other home-improvement projects to be completed by summers end.

School's out next week, and I'd just like to say thank you to all of the kids I've taught over the year at Mission Bay Montessori Academy and San Dieguito Academy. You students have been inspirational, and a joy to work with - thanks!

Seaside Brass stuff:

- New pictures in the Gallery.

- Check out the Irate Pirates at Legoland this month (June 17th and 18th) for the opening of "Pirate Shores". Jamie Brees will make a cameo appearance - we can't seem to get rid of that guy! Other than that, it's going to be a mellow summer.

- More sad news for us; Roy Brown will be leaving the band in the fall to attend Music School for the Navy. After that, he will likely be transferred. Darn you, Uncle Sam!