Monday Summary, February 21, 2011

Yes, I know these updates are supposed to come on Saturday, but it was a relentlessly hectic week.  Read on to see why and what all happened in my creative life if you want, or else stay tuned for the return of our regular posts on Wednesday, February 23.

First of all, my apologies for my unexpected and unpredictable absences this past week or so.  A very dear friend and fellow musician passed away, and so on top of everything else going on in my life, I needed to take time to help plan her memorial service and get the music ready for it.  It was just one thing too many, and so I chose to step away from The Creative for a few days.  Her service was Saturday and it was a beautiful thing, a celebration of life and love -- exactly what one would hope for from a memorial service.

That being said, it's now been over a week since I've given an update on my creative life, so here it is:

Music -- The only composing I did this past week was an arrangement of Abide With Me, which we played at my friend's memorial service.  I wrote the piece for two octaves of handbells, then expanded it for two to five octaves.  It was a cathartic experience for me, knowing that this piece was my personal farewell to one of the most enthusiastic bell ringers and nicest people I've ever known.  As much as it was a farewell, however, it was also a celebration of life, and of knowing that her spirit will live on through this piece.  It wasn't something that I had to do for her service, but it was something that I had to do for myself.

Adding in Abide With Me, here is where my composing stands for the year:

• Handbell pieces -- 20  18
• Piano pieces -- 20  17
• Choral pieces -10
• String pieces -- 4
• Band pieces -- 2
• Other instrumental pieces -- 4
• GRAND TOTAL FOR 2011 -- 60  55

Again, behind where I'd like to be, but still a good showing for the year so far.

Writing -- I actually have something to report here for a change!  Through all that has happened this past week, I've gone back to my Sadonian Chronicles series and re-read some of what I've already written.  More than that, I've started editing some of it, and even started writing some new parts of the story.  It's a small amount of progress, to be sure, but it's progress, nonetheless.  It feels good to immerse myself in the world once again, sort of like going on a trip to an old familiar place.  No clue when I'll have anything concrete or tangible done here, but again, it's at least progress.

Publishing -- After I finished my arrangement of Abide With Me, I fired it off to Doug Wagner at Lorenz, who passed on it, as he already had a memorial title for the coming year.  I turned around and sent it off to Kevin McChesney at Jeffers, and he accepted it, which was thrilling not just for me as a composer, but because it means my friend's music ministry will continue on even now that she's gone.  Now, the piece won't be released until late 2012 or early 2013, but it will see the light of day, and that's what's important. 


And that's the summary from here.  It was a very bittersweet week, and a very, very hectic one.  Now that things have calmed down a bit (at least for the foreseeable future), I hope to get back to regular haiku writing and regular posts.  Until then, have a great week, and happy creating!