http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com A blog for those interested in songwriting and composing music! Moderated by composer Nolan E. Schmit Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:27:08 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en If you would like to be a contributing author on THE COMPOSERS NOTEBOOK blog, contact Nolan Schmit at: nolan@nolanschmit.com Any topic relating to composing music or songwriting is welcomed!   http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com/2008/06/12/attention-composers/ Recently a friend asked me, "Are you nervous when you are about to have a new piece premiered?" I wanted to answer honestly, but the honest answer seemed less than courageous and less than sophisticated. You see, when I was younger, I had an impression that all accomplished composers are ... http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com/2008/05/29/nerves-and-new-music-does-the-audience-opinion-matter/ Want some advice on ways of varying your cells, motives and melodies? Listen to Episode 11 of THE COMPOSERS NOTEBOOK podcast. In this 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 ... http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com/2008/05/23/episode-11-chapter-6-my-motivic-makeover-manipulation-and-modification/ The new Nebraska Composers Alliance web site is up and running! From this web site, you will be able to make connections with Nebraska Composers, learn about commissioning a piece of music, and connect to resources for integrating composition into school music programs. Check it out at: http://www.nebraskacomposers.org http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com/2008/05/20/the-nebraska-composers-alliance/ Hey friends! Here's the interview I did with NTV from this past Wednesday. We discuss my new work for brass quintet called, "PRISM: The Dance of Light." Check it out here: http://nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=8323973&nav=menu605_1 http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com/2008/05/16/television-interview/ What's next on The Composers Notebook podcast? Look for the interview with Dr. Timothy Mahr that is posted at THE COMPOSERS NOTEBOOK podcast page. 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 ... http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com/2008/05/16/podcast-dr-timothy-mahr/ There IS a difference between composing music and writing music on paper. Composing is the act of creating musical ideas. Writing it down is simply translating the musical ideas into a form that can be read by others. Think of the oral tradition of storytelling. The stories were passed down ... http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com/2008/05/14/theres-a-difference-between-composing-and-writing-music-on-paper/ Sometimes composers, authors and artists have dry spells when they can't produce work. They lack inspiration and struggle to get started on projects. This desert experience is frustrating for the composer and unfortunately can cause periods where the writer stops working for a while. When these periods happen for me, I ... http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com/2008/05/13/what-to-do-for-writers-block/ Well, the Nebraska Brass had their first read through of PRISM on Saturday evening and said that it should be very playable. I believe many composers are nervous that their new pieces may not work and, even though one may be an experienced composer, I suspect that there is a ... http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com/2008/05/12/prism-the-dance-of-light/ Join the Nebraska Brass for “American Dances,” the finalé of its 2007-2008 season, “American Premieres.”  At this final concert, the Nebraska Brass will feature the world premiere of Lincoln composer, Nolan E. Schmit’s new work for brass quintet, “PRISM:  The Dance of Light.”   This piece is dedicated to the memory of late UNL Professor Emeritus Robert M. ... http://blog.thecomposersnotebook.com/2008/05/09/upcoming-events/