Alright you guys, the video from the composition recital is now posted on the “works” page. Check it out. It’s encoded in Windows Media so make sure you can play .wmv files. Also, they’re about 10MB each so it’d be best if you had high speed internet! Enjoy~

Tim Burton has done it again. This afternoon, Linh and I went and saw Corpse Bride and loved it.

The characters are perfect, creepy, and lovable. They remind me of those old Christmas claymation characters from the 70s. Those always creeped me out for some reason. The cinematography was magical and fantastic as all of Tim’s films have been. The plot was somewhat predictable but didn’t distract too much from the film. Danny Elfman’s score was also really good though his songs weren’t up to par probably from the cliche lyrics. It’s a little weird when you have only four songs in a movie–kinda random. Why put in only four when you can just make the whole thing a movie musical? The tunes aren’t even catchy compared to The Nightmare Before Christmas or even Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Though, “Remains of the Day” was pretty hip. But is the Danny Elfman choir getting old already? Gotta love the scat with Mr. Bonejangles though! All in all, if you haven’t seen this film yet, go see it.

Okay, so the site needs a little updating. I’ll post a more current bio soon (it’s always hard writing about yourself!), update the links page with fresh and current links, and start posting photos here in the blog! I’m just about to purchase a nice digital camera so I can share more moments with a picture. Can’t wait! I just need that money…

Thanks to Dan Malone, I have now posted mp3s of each of the Dahlhouse songs under the “works” page.

Other composers’ works will be available (with their permission) on a new site Ryan Springler and I have come up with. The url is http://www.ASUcomposes.com. Here, many of our composer friends can post mp3s of their own works and discuss them in an online forum. The site will also include links to resources for the college composer and feature each composer with his or her profile page, complete with one complimentary glamour shot. Though it says ASU composes, the site will be available to any composer as long as they are a grad or undergrad in college. You may also qualify as a student in highschool. So look within the next several weeks for ASUcomposes to come to life! Hope you join!
I wish I could watch HOUSE Tuesday nights but I have class!!!

So tonight was the first of four student composition recitals for the year. It all went very well! Here was the program for those who missed it:

A DODECAPHONIC YING-YANG (2005)
Bill Clay

DAHLHOUSE (2005)
(Me)

GOLD DIGGERS OF 1845 (2005)
Ryan Springler

GATHER YE ROSEBUDS (2004)
Erica Glenn

SIXSOME (2005)
Jason Gray

The concert was short but quality. I’ll post mp3s and video clips once Dan does a little post production to the recording and once I find time to throw that footage on the other computer. Maybe this weekend. But like I said, the entire concert was really good. Particularly impressive was the performance of Erica’s piece, Gather Ye Rosebuds, a fun, colorful madrigal sung by a dozen or so “Renaissance Singers.”

On another note, congratulations to Adrienne Turner (my soprano for Hot and Cold) for getting a lead role (her first lead role) in Elliot Carter’s American Gothic. Jesus loves you.