I truly enjoyed every moment of working with Dr. David Thornton and the fantastic MSU Symphony Band throughout October, in preparation for the concert this past Tuesday. The attention to detail and effort to realize my music as I had intended was always present, and I don't know if there is anything more fun than playing with sound in a space like the Wharton Center. Most of all, I was so pleased that many of the musicians took the time to express to me how much they enjoyed the work, or that it meant something special to them. I feel like ASYLUM, while programmatically referring to the Traverse City State Hospital, can also point to the broader scope of mental illnesses, many of which touch our lives everyday. It can be a deeply personal piece for the listener and performer alike, reminding us that while the realities we deal with are sometimes difficult and challenging, there will always be help if we seek it out. I also enjoyed talking music with Dr. Kevin Sedatole and Prof. Gary Green, as well as Branden Steinmetz and many very talented graduate conducting students. Michigan State never ceases to provide opportunities to work with world-class musicians. Go Green!
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Back to back ASYLUM rehearsals today, first at Okemos HS and then at Michigan State with the Symphony Band and their new director Dr. David Thornton. My dear friend and mentor John Madden had programmed the work prior to his retirement, and I'm so pleased that David liked the piece and invited me to come work with the group today in preparation for the October 24 performance at Wharton. The musicianship of the players in this ensemble is unreal, hyper-nuanced phrasing, very expressive interpretation. It was an absolute honor to have my music performed so well, and especially emotional for me having played in the Symphony Band at MSU 20 years ago. (yikes) It was magic to be back in 120, where I spent so many hours learning from John Madden, Dave Catron and John Whitwell, alongside so many of my good friends and fellow music students. I was overwhelmed with the entire day, and being back on campus where so much of who I am as a musician was encouraged and developed. I even got to grab a coffee with a few of my former Fenton Band students who are currently in the Spartan Marching Band, and I'm so happy that they are having the positively life-changing experience that I had at MSU. If you're in the area on October 24, come out and hear ASYLUM played with incredible passion and beauty.
I'm absolutely thrilled for my music to be performed again by my good friend Mark Stice and his RIDICULOUSLY skilled Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Okemos HS. I got to spend the morning visiting with Mark and his group, hearing them work through the piece, and sharing my motivations behind it. These kids really get it, they were listening intently as I was explaining how Dr. Munson tried to implement the "Beauty is Therapy" philosophy at the Northern Michigan Asylum, and how we can apply that concept not only to the music, but to how we are compassionate to each other in our everyday lives. I'm beyond excited for their performance of ASYLUM at the 2018 Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids on January 26th! Thanks again Mark!
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