The Composers Notebook

Episode 18-Part II-Composers and Coffee with Timothy Mahr

Sun, 18 May 2008 19:37:26 -0500

This is the second part of my interview with Dr. Mahr.

http://www.stolaf.edu/people/mahr/

Episode 18-Part I-Composers and Coffee with Timothy Mahr

Sun, 18 May 2008 19:29:37 -0500

This week our guest on Composers and Coffee is Timothy Mahr. Dr. Mahr is an internationally respected composer and is a professor of music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he is the Conductor of the St. Olaf Band and teaches courses in composition, conducting and music education.

http://www.stolaf.edu/people/mahr/

Episode 17-Part II-Composers and Coffee with Bruce Pearson

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:01:00 -0500

The second part and conclusion of my conversation with Bruce Pearson.

http://brucepearsonmusic.com/index.htm

*Programming Note: This is the second of two parts.

Episode 17-Part I-Composers and Coffee with Bruce Pearson

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0500

Nolan’s guest this week is Bruce Pearson. Bruce Pearson is a world-renowned music educator, composer, author, and conductor.

He is perhaps best known for his authorship of the Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method and for his co-authorship with Dean Sorenson of the widely-acclaimed Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method and Advanced Jazz Ensemble Method (Neil A. Kjos Music Company), which are currently regarded as the two most significant publications for beginning band and jazz band instruction.

In addition to Standard of Excellence, Mr. Pearson is widely known for his first contribution to the band curriculum, Best In Class and as composer of many widely performed compositions for concert band and jazz ensemble.

http://brucepearsonmusic.com/index.htm

*Programming Note: This is the first of two parts.

Episode 16-Chapter 9-COPYRIGHT: You only hurt the ones you love!

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Nolan explains the purposes of copyrights, intellectual property, and the impact copyright infringement has on composers and authors.

He also provides an overview of public domain materials and fair use provisions of copyright law.

Enjoy the return of “Very, very, very funny jokes.”

Episode 15-Part II-Composers and Coffee with James Neal Koudelka

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0600

The second part and conclusion of my conversation with James Neal Koudleka.

jimkoudelka@hotmail.com

*Programming Note: This is the second of two parts.

Episode 15-Part I-Composers and Coffee with James Neal Koudelka

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Nolan’s guest this week is James Neal Koudelka. Jim is a private voice and piano instructor in Lincoln, Nebraska during the academic year. He is musical director for the Okoboji Summer Theatre, part of the educational training program for actors from Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri. At Okoboji, he has music directed over 25 mainstage musicals, and three children’s musicals. Jim is also a music consultant for Nebraska Educational Television.

jimkoudelka@hotmail.com

*Programming Note: This is the first of two parts.

Episode 14-Chapter 8-Happy New Year-Resolutions

Wed, 2 Jan 2008 14:38:11 -0600

Nolan discusses good resolutions to make as a composer and reports on a survey of music publishers on what they look for in submitted manuscripts.

Episode 13-Chapter 7-Back to School with Technology

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:00:00 -0500

Nolan welcomes listeners back to The Composers Notebook. In this "Back to School" edition of The Composers Notebook, Nolan discusses some helpful technology reminders about notation software, previews the new Finale 2008 and introduces his newest work, "Journey of the Sandhill Cranes" for concert band.

Episode 12-Composers and Coffee with Kelly Rossum

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Nolan’s guest on the program is jazz trumpet player and composer Kelly Rossum. Rossum is gaining an international reputation as a creative force in the definition of modern jazz. It is difficult to describe his style as anything but unique; combining the traditions of swing, bop and free jazz with the innovations of electronica, ambient and trance music. Kelly has presented music master classes throughout the United States as well as in Europe and Asia. He has appeared on over 20 CD recordings as well as studio sessions for Asche & Spencer and is currently the Jazz Coordinator at MacPhail Center for Music in downtown Minneapolis. His new album, Line, was just released in October of 2006.

Episode 11-Chapter 6-My Motivic Makeover: Manipulation and Modification.

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

In this weeks episode, Nolan discusses expectancy in music and methods of varying motives by using the following techniques:
•Inversion
•Retrograde
•Augmentation
•Diminution
•Meter changes
•Rhythmic changes
•Pitch substitution

and the importance that the choice of keys and tempi has on the character of a composition.

Episode 10-Part II-Composers and Coffee with Jackson Berkey

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500

The second part and conclusion of my conversation with Jackson Berkey.

*Programming Note: This is the second of two parts.

Episode 10-Part I-Composers and Coffee with Jackson Berkey

Sun, 8 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Todays guest is Jackson Berkey. Jackson’s artistry encompasses that of an acclaimed pianist, an inventive and highly creative composer, a meticulous producer and recording artist. His range of accomplishments in music combine with a depth of talent that is formidable indeed. His New York Town Hall Debut in 1969 launched a remarkable and highly varied career.

Jackson Berkey earned his Master of Music performance degree at the Julliard School in New York City and appeared on the artsit roster of Baldwin Piano and Organ Company for more than two decades. The composer was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania in 1942.

http://www.berkey.com

jackson@berkey.com

PERFORMERS & WRITERS
3402 Woolworth Avenue
Omaha, Nebraska 68105
Telephone (402) 341-4111
FAX (402) 341-9381

SDG RECORDS
3402 Woolworth Avenue
Omaha, Nebraska 68105
Telephone (402) 341-4111
FAX (402) 341-9381

SDG PRESS
3402 Woolworth Avenue
Omaha, Nebraska 68105
Telephone (402) 341-4111
FAX (402) 341-9381

*Programming Note: This is the first of two parts.

Episode 9-Chapter 5-Creating Encomium for the Courageous

Sun, 17 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500

During this week’s program, Nolan reveals the steps he took in creating musical material for his work “Encomium for the Courageous.”

Episode 8-Composers and Coffee with Kris DiMartino

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Today’s guest is Christian singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist Kris, DiMartino. Kris and Nolan discuss the challenges faced by young musicians today and how faith impacts one’s creative work.

Contact Kris at:
http://www.krisdimartino.com
DiMartino Records
P.O. Box 641858 - Omaha, NE 68164
402-312-5000
kris@krisdimartino.com

Episode 7-Chapter 4-Planning a Work for Concert Band

Sun, 3 Sep 2006 20:29:40 -0500

Nolan welcomes listeners to a new season of The Composers Notebook. He explains the steps he took in planning to compose “Encomium for the Courageous”, a work commissioned by the Nebraska Ambassadors of Music.

Nolan reviews Make Music’s newest software update in Finale 2007.

Listen to Flourish for Five Trumpets and find out the fall line-up for Composers and Coffee.

Episode 6-Composers and Coffee with Peter Bouffard

Sun, 4 Jun 2006 10:56:33 -0500

My guest on Composers and Coffee is jazz guitarist, composer and arranger Dr. Peter Bouffard.

A native of Vermont, Dr. Peter Bouffard holds a DMA in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory of Music, an MM in Jazz Education from UNL as well as an AS in Jazz and Contemporary Music and a BMEd from the University of Maine.
Peter is an active guitarist in the region where he performs for a variety of engagements. He has been an adjudicator, clinician, and/or director for a variety of musical events and organizations including the Maine All-State Jazz Combo, the Nebraska All-State Jazz Band, the Iowa IHCC Jazz Festival, and University of South Dakota Jazz Festival.
To contact Peter Bouffard, please email him at peter@peterbouffard.com or call him at 402-421-6755.
Be sure to visit Peter’s web site at:
http://peterbouffard.com/peter
Programming note: This is the season finale of The Composers Notebook. New episodes will be posted starting on September 3, 2006. See you then!

Episode 5-Chapter 3-Revising and Performing

Sun, 21 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Nolan discusses attitudes about and approaches to revising your compositions and examines the educational value of hearing your works performed.

Programming note: No episode will be posted on May 28. The season finale will be posted on June 4, 2006.

Episode 4-Chapter 2-Manipulating and Organizing

Sun, 14 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500

In this week’s chapter of The Composers Notebook, we explore the many ways one can manipulate cells and motives to create musical variety within a piece. We also examine ways of organizing musical ideas into standardized forms.

Enjoy a number of segments including:
Composition Lesson
Manipulating and Organizing Musical Ideas (Cells, Motives, Phrases)
Technology Tips
Dent Du Midi-A freeware application for importing MIDI files into GarageBand.
Composer News and Note
Find out birth dates, anniversaries and important historical
information for the week of May 14.
Music Jokes-Always Rated G for kids!
Get a good chuckle (or boo) with our “very, very, very funny jokes.”
Listener Questions & Comments
Nolan answers listener questions.

Episode 3-Composers and Coffee with Carolee Curtright

Sun, 7 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we have a conversation with composer Carolee Curtright. Carolee is professor emeriti of Music Education and Choral Activities at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln School of Music. She is a composer/ arranger with compositions published by Hinshaw, Boosey and Hawkes, Plymouth, Cherry Lane, Heritage, Lorenz, Roger Dean and Choristers Guild. She is the founder/artistic director of the Pueri Cantores Organization of Choirs for Young Voices that includes three choirs for young singers from 3rd grade through High School.

You can contact Carolee Curtright directly at:
ccurtright1@unl.edu
3020 Loveland Dr.
Lincoln, NE 68502
402-489-2396

Episode 2-Chapter 1-Planning and Creating

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500

This week on “The Composers Notebook.”
In this chapter, we will “dig in” to the “how-to” of composing music by introducing a strategy one can use to begin composing a new piece.

Enjoy a number of segments including:
Composition Lesson
Overview of the Compositional Process
Plan, Create, Manipulate, Organize, Revise, Perform
Discussion about Planning and Creating
Technology Tips
Notation Software: Finale vs. Sibelius
Composer News and Note
Find out birth dates, anniversaries and important historical
information for the week of May 1.
Music Jokes-Always Rated G for kids!
Get a good chuckle (or boo) with our “very, very, very funny jokes.”
(I apologize in advance.)

Episode 1-Table of Contents

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500

This week on “The Composers Notebook.”
In the first episode you will be introduced to our host, composer and educator Nolan Schmit. Nolan uses his unique blend of “NPR style” informative speaking and storytelling to introduce each listener to an overview of “The Composer’s Notebook.”

Enjoy a number of segments including:
Composition Lesson
Inspiration
Technology Tips
Connecting two USB microphones to a Mac
Composers and Coffee
Interview with Nolan Schmit-Get to know your host and hear
“Fanfare and Dance” for concert band
Music Jokes-Always Rated G for kids!
Get a good chuckle with our “very, very, very funny jokes.”