I spent this past weekend finishing up a short overture-length piece for the Minnesota Sinfonia. It is not a work I would think to upload on this site any time soon. Now that I think about it, there's probably no reason not make it available here...that's a decision for another day. 
    This new work is about bullying. It's in the news lately. That's not what got me interested in bullying. I have been bullied a number of times in my life. I was bullied in the 5th grade by a kid named David who decided it would be funny to call me Slop Bucket Davidson. The nickname didn't stick but I ended up carrying it around with me like a name tag. 
    About the same time, there was a boy who seemed to have it out for me. His name was Paul Little. He pushed me around and taunted me enough times that I finally got up on my hind-legs and fought back. I didn't win or lose the fight but the bullying stopped. I took note.
    Recently, I survived the bullying of a "superior" at a college where I served in a middling bureaucratic role. I have moved on but it was difficult and it left a bit of a bruise on my confidence. I'm all right -- don't fuss. I learned to fight back in fifth grade with that Little fellow. Now, I don't wrestle, I write. This piece was inspired by my "superior" and accompanying cohort. 
    I recently saw a notice on facebook that talked about the emptiness of revenge. I would have to agree: revenge is a waste of psychic time. This piece isn't about revenge. It's about getting centered again, healing, moving on, and putting a garbage experience into perspective.
    The new piece will be premiered by the Minnesota Sinfonia on Jan 11 and 13, 2013. Time to move on.

I just joined my first rock band. At age 59. 

The band is called The Paper Airplane Society of America and consists of 17 musicians playing the original music of my son, Benjamin. When we perform, we are asked to wear something "flight related" and so I chose goggles and a white satin scarf. 

The first performance was at the Ritz Theater in Nordeast Minneapolis. I may have been the oldest person there. 

Anyway, I turned on a dime after that performance and began composing a short work for the Minnesota Sinfonia. I also got a request for Lover's Lament and so I cranked out a digital score of that which can be found on this website. 

Can you tell I'm on vacation? Normally, I up to my gills with work for the National Lutheran Choir (I'm the administrative director), composing, playing cello and trying to keep up with my bills. 

If you have anything you'd like to say, this is an open blog. Like an echo chamber...chamber...chamber.