My First Ever Music Recording

 I always enjoy going through the old storage totes that reside underneath the basement stairs in my home.

Something forgotten and interesting is always found there.

This past week I ran across an envelope that contained a 33-1/3 vinal record.

The recording features a selection of short classical pieces performed by a Colorado Springs elementary school string orchestra.

I was a part of that group, being a fifth grade student.

The concert was performed in 1967 as part of a large music educators' convention.

The music is horrible....

Imagine, if you can, 50 or so kids, new to their instruments, trying to hold together a music performance.

An out of tune cacaphony for the ages!

Side B of the record contains a piece by Haydn and Bach each, performed equally cringe-worthy as the first side.

But, hey, at least I can say that I've actually played the famed Broadmoor Hotel Ballroom!

(The record producers mis-spelled the name Broadmoor on the label....)

Cheers!

Musical Theater, Part 2

 In my last post, I stated that I had no previous experience with musical theater.

Not true...

The other day, I was going through a storage tote of memorabilia.  Inside the box was a large envelope containing programs and  playbills from concerts and music programs in which I was involved in orchestras during my grade school and junior high days.

Though I couldn't find a paper program for it, I recalled a musical play that was put on by Washington Irving Junior High School in Colorado Springs in either '69 or '70. The play was called 'The Columbus Caper'.

I played violin in the pit orchestra!

Voila....musical play experience....

....now back to writing!

A Brand New (Musical) Adventure

 

As most of you readers know from past posts on this blog, I have a deep interest in performing and writing music.

Until now, most of the writing I have done has been limited to fingerstyle acoustic guitar pieces that I have subsequently performed at various gigs and open mic venues.  The majority of these songs reside only in my head and on my fingertips.  In other words, I've never bothered to pull out a pen and some staff or tab sheets to write any of it down.

Recently, I've taken on a project that requires me to make drastic changes to this scenario:

Back in September I got a call from an old buddy (Mark) with whom I have played a great deal of music in the past.

He has another old acquaintance (Neil) who is in the process of writing and producing a major musical theater show.  This gentleman has asked my friend to write and score the music for it.

Mark has turned around asked me if I would like to collaborate with him on the project!

How cool is that?!!

And how intimidating...

Mind you, I have no experience with musical plays. I've never even attended one, save for a couple of high school productions years ago in which my daughters participated.

This current project requires Mark and I to write, arrange, and score for voice actors, on-stage chorus, and a twenty piece pit orchestra!

I have no experience doing any of this.

The one thing I do possess is deep appreciation and knowledge of a wide array of music genres, from baroque and classical up through pop, classic rock, progressive rock, fusion, and jazz. 

Over the decades my vinyl turntables, cassette decks, CD players and streaming devices have not been idle.

Playing multiple instruments in public and studying music theory has come in a bit handy, as well.

I'm not entirely sure yet how big this musical is destined to be. It definitely is off-Broadway, but big enough to tour around the country.

So, starting back in September, I've been in major musical-theater-learning mode.

Lots of material to write.

Premier performance is scheduled for late 2029.....gotta get crackin'!

More to come, right here on Eddie's Random Ramblings!