Monday: Administrative day

I did a fair amount of orchestrating this morning. At least it seemed like a fair amount, based on how long it took, but when I just figured out what I’d actually done, it was only about 10 measures. It’s dense and kind of complicated — it’s where the polka finally overtakes the calypso (don’t ask) — so there’s a lot going on, but it doesn’t take much musical time. By the time I was finished, it was lunch time.

Now that I’m a “full-time” composer, I’m trying to figure out my best work schedule. The way it’s turning out, Mondays are my “administrative day.” I did some orchestrating this morning because I wanted to get through that tricky bit, but in general, I spend most of Monday answering music-related e-mails that have built up over the weekend (it’s not like there are loads of them) and sending out CDs and scores to people who have requested them. Today I sent a score to the father of a baritone sax player in Mesa, Arizona. The high school band there — at Dobson High School — is working on Redline Tango, and this parent thought it was important for his son to be able to study the full score. Pretty amazing.

After swinging by the post office, I sent out an e-mail about my trip next week, trying to figure out my full itinerary for my trip to Grapevine High School in Texas. I’m flying there on Sunday to work with the band, and they’re playing Redline Tango on Monday night. On Wednesday of next week, I fly from Dallas to San Antonio for the Texas Music Educators Association conference, where one of the Texas All-State Bands will perform Redline Tango on Saturday, February 12. That means I need to make a bunch of copies of the Redline Tango study score and burn a stack of CDs to bring along. I’ll probably make those copies tonight, and try to burn a few CDs as well.

Before I do that, though, I’m heading to Central Park for a run. I had a little health scare last week, and my doctor told me that I’m stressed. Running seems to make me feel a lot better, and it’s fun to get out there and listen to the new Shuffle.

If I can get enough work done over the next few hours, AEJ and I will try to fit in a few more episodes of season 2 of “24.” We watched the first 4 episodes of season 2 last night, and so far, season 2 may be even better than season 1…

Apparently, “administrative day” also consists of writing completely inane blog entries.

Comments

Anonymous says

Hello John, i was in the TMEA 4A group in the tubas, i really liked your Redline Tango, and i am kind of on a TMEA low. THat was probably the hardest piece i have ever played with a group...and will be for a while, but once we got it all figured out, it was great. I really enjoyed it and keep kicking out those pieces, they are great.

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