Lots of fun coming up over the next month…

Tomorrow (Friday), I travel to Greensboro, North Carolina, for the weekend. There’s a dress rehearsal Saturday, and then on Sunday afternoon, the world premiere performance of my newest piece, “The Frozen Cathedral.” The concert is at 1:30 on Sunday. I’ve only ever heard the MIDI of the piece, so I’m excited (and nervous… okay, mostly nervous) to hear it in person. Even my dad is coming to the concert. He’s driving — 8 hours from northern Ohio. Jeez, I hope the piece doesn’t suck.

I fly home Monday, and then on Thursday, I head to Millikin University in Illinois. Two of the ensembles there are playing my music, and a local high school group is playing “Sheltering Sky.” On Saturday, I fly from Illinois back to Greensboro, where UNCG will record “The Frozen Cathedral” on that Sunday and Monday. Then, home on Tuesday.

The following weekend, I head to NYC to see the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform “Strange Humors,” with the original (completely badass) choreography by Robert Battle.  This is the first piece of mine that the company has put into the rep since Robert Battle (for whom I wrote “Strange Humors,” as well as “Breakdown Tango,” “Damn,” “Rush Hour,” “Mass,” and “Juba“) became Ailey’s new Artistic Director.  “Strange Humors” enters their rep during their 4-week City Center run in New York, and then will be seen on tour over the next year.

Then home for one day, and then: The Midwest Clinic! My performances this year, which I hope to attend in between my visits to the Hilton bar, are:

Wednesday, December 19, 5:30pm: The United States Air Force Band performs “Sheltering Sky,” guest conducted by Tim Lautzenheiser.  (The USAF Band is giving two concerts with completely different programs. Go to both if you can.)

Friday, December 21, 5:00pm: The Woodlands High School Wind Ensemble performs “High Wire,” conducted by Joni Perez

Friday, December 21, 6:15pm: Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Blue Tie Wind Ensemble (whew, that is a mouthful) performs “Harvest: Concerto for Trombone” with New York Philharmonic Principal Trombone JOE ALESSI (!!!), conducted by Jerry Junkin

Friday, December 21, 7:30pm: drinks

It’s going to be a jam-packed couple of weeks.

And let’s not forget about Christmas! I know Loki, for one, hasn’t forgotten. Here, Loki sings you a sort of a holiday greeting. (Warning: extremely creepy video. Blame David Rakowski.)