Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Titles


Many of my titles and dedications refer to friends. Recently two of these had nice moments when people "Twigged" it was them.

My friend Kim (Kims's Ballad.Razzamajazz) is an Art teacher in a school, and recently was invited as a celebrity to hear her piece played by a group in the music dept.

I wrote "The Greenwood's garden"(Razzamajazz duets and trios) for friends (The Greenwoods!) when they moved into a new house (and huge garden) in Wales. Mike recently Emailed me to say that their piece has been played at the Fishguard farmers market!.

Pictured is "The Greenwood's garden"

First Ad.


I was excited to see the first American mention of the "Red Hot Recorder method" and the re wording of the advert,

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Cool cat!




My friend Sue Emailed me this poster she saw for the Montreux Jazz festival. It was in the "Cat museum" in Amsterdam. I thought it was too cool not to share!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

"Sparkling songs for starter choirs"


I have been recording the backing tracks for "Sparkling songs" today, and was excited as ever to see the project taking shape. Hearing the vocalist (Kate Mellor) singing the songs gave me a real thrill, as I've never heard them sung before ( only by me, and that isn't inspiring!).

We did all fifteen songs in the day, some with slower tempo's as well. I have written three new warm ups which I hope will be useful, and there are serious songs, easy part songs, rounds, and lots of Fun songs.

I have written a few of the pieces with new lyricists, Pam Howard, Mike Cashman and Jenny Mead. They have all produced brilliant lyrics and were all so good to work with. The book should be out soon

Sunday, April 20, 2008

"Train for Tooting"


I have just completed a commissioned piece for a branch of the Schools Music Association. The brief was to write a big finale piece for their recorder festival for all comers, all recorders and all abilities (!!!).

Well I did it, and the piece is called "Train for Tooting" and has a train ride feel. It has parts for everyone from two note beginners to virtuosic whizzers (they can even pull people off the street to play percussion!) It is multi functional and flexible and is controlled by a conductor ( the train driver!). Now that it's finished I am actually quite pleased, but I did actually think how the heck am I going to do this?. Hope it works!.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Chris back from Manilla











Chris has arrived home full of stories from his time in the Philippines. The pictures show him preparing for his recital ( for the street kids), and teaching "sizzling songz" with actions.
The airport staff at Kuwait on the way home scanned his bags and pulled him to one side to show him the dynamite looking objects on the screen (harmonicas!).

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Watts happening?


For those who have been asking, "Band in a book 2" is now finished and has been sent off.

I am quite excited by this one as it has a few extra twists. The book contains a mixture of tunes in various styles, and mostly easy, but a few a bit more challenging for developing players. Not only have some of the pieces got scope for easy improvisation, but I've also labelled one or two "On the spot ensemble". This means that I have written accompaniments with an easy pattern that can be taught by rote . Everybody learns the piece ( very quickly) off by heart, and then it can be extended by (easy) improvisation over the (memorised) accompaniment. I have tried it with young instrumentalists, and it is a very freeing and confidence building experience.

One of the "On the spot ensemble " pieces is a jig, and that's great fun to do.

I did a teachers workshop on the principal of this ( ensemble/no music) and it was well received.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Sizzling songz in the Philippines


Chris has been visiting a centre for street children in the Philippines with a group from our church. They do a lot of singing, so he took out copies of Sizzling songz. Chris worked with the kids and showed the teachers how to use the book.

I would love to have been a fly on the wall.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Spot the difference!


The new American version of "Red Hot recorder" has now landed. The American distributor reported that it had arrived on an eighteen wheel truck!.

The book had to be completely redesigned with Measures, quarter notes etc, even some of the titles had to go!!. A big marketing drive is underway.

EXCITING!!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Check this out!


We went to hear the Adriano Adewale group on "stage two" at the Stables last night. It was AWESOME. Its so exciting to go to a concert that really inspires you, and this one did.

Adriano says "Music starts and finishes with silence. From beginning to end there is much to be seen and experienced.

Our music varies in shape, weight and colour. It takes you on a journey where sounds uncover intrinsic identities of simpicity and beauty, translating images, words and movement into music".

Check out