Yesterday morning, I woke up at 5, stopped for my fix of Starbucks and headed out to meet Dan at Dobson to record Dobson’s chamber orchestra. The group is only about 20 members and boy can they play! Dan recorded Dobson’s fall orchestra concert last week and came back raving about the group. He and I have had the pleasure of recording several fine orchestras both community and professional in the valley and, as Dan says, “that Dobson is on par with all of them.” I was highly impressed with them, too. They know how to be completely silent during recording and treated the session more professionally than many professional groups that I’ve heard. Plus, they don’t have the egos. Dan spared no expense and brought in all the best gear he could get his hands on. We’re in the process of getting some demo material and promotional photos/video together so we can finally take Mouse Recording to the next level. It’s a shame I’m going to miss the full orchestra perform at the Music For All conference (also known as Bands of America and Orchestra America) in March. I’m sure they’ll impress just as much there and more as back here at home.

This morning, I met up with Dan to record a small, 50 member, kids choir at a church in downtown Phoenix. It was a good time–as always is with Dan. The choir director puts together a Christmas CD with all of their church choirs each year for the holiday season and this year, the kids had about half a dozen songs to record. And let me say, when the director said the break was 5 minutes, you’d better believe these kids were back in their seats, ready to sing in 4 minutes 59 seconds. You’d think these kids were union or somethin’!

Since we announced the official premiere of Conan - The Musical, I’ve realized that we’ve really got to start cookin’ and polishing this thing ASAP. Tonight, Dan and I recorded Joe on drums for a few hours so the soundtrack is really starting to come alive! Joe is an incredibly versatile performer; we’re really lucky to have him on board. His set playing really helps the rest of the MIDI soundtrack to be… well, not lame. We’ve also had the pleasure of having a guitar cameo by a local artist, Caesar Bach. Damn, why didn’t we just do the whole thing live? As usual, Dan is going far beyond the call of duty for this project. Nothing’s stopping him from making this project short of impressive. Well, maybe my disorganized mixes aren’t helping…If only we could find some 25 piece professional choir to redo some of the choir tracks… if any of you know where we could find one, let me know.

Last night was Dobson High School’s Homecoming game. I showed up with my camera and some other Dobson band alumni who sat in and played stand tunes with the group. At halftime, they marched to the field to perform their 2006 show, Ngoma, that I wrote for them back in the Spring. It’s a hard show to do especially when you consider that about half the group this year were incoming sophmores. But still, they pulled it off excellently. This was the first time I’d seen or heard the show in full so, as always, it was exciting! I’ve never actually been in marching band so Rob Lubbers and Ryan Springler (and practically everyone else on the staff) have been reorchestrating a few sections to make the show more effective for on the field. With their improvements and Joe’s percussion writing, the show is really starting to come together. Way to go Dobson! If you’re interested, I’ve uploaded the show to YouTube below.

It was a nice little reunion to see these three girls all again. I’ve known Christina and Becca since about 7th grade and I’ve known Val since Kindergarten. Both Christina and Val were drum majors two years ago when we were all seniors there. Becca used to play flute/oboe but has since then decided to go into Aerospace Engineering (oboes in space?).

Joe: master of percussion. Actually, he wrote a really cool trash can piece that his group of percussionists performed down on the track. It really got the crowd wild! I wish I got it on tape.Of course, we can’t forget Blake, one of the drum majors this year along with Lauren Downey (she’s around there somewhere). They really make it all come together down on the field. Without them, it’d be phasing issue after phasing issue after… well, it just wouldn’t work. Great job girls!Eric, a Dobson Marching Staff, ponders, “How shall we breathe Monday? Hmm…”

It’s official! Conan: The Musical will premiere on Sunday, November 12, 2006 at the Tempe Pollack Cinemas as part of our first annual “Catch All” Film Festival. Conan will be released online the following day, November 13. Seating is limited so stay tuned for ticket details. Tickets will be $5 and you will probably be able to order them in advance through us personally or pick them up before the screening.
We are still accepting submissions for short films through November 1st so get them to us ASAP with your application form to be considered for one of the prizes/gift baskets! All genres are encouraged. There is no entrance fee so if you’ve got a film, you’ve really got no reason not to submit. The accpeted films will receive two complimentary tickets to the event so, seriously, SUBMIT YOUR FILM!!!

On another note, we were debating back and forth whether to go with Harkins Theatres or the more modest Tempe Pollack Cinemas. Let me tell you that after meeting with one of the general managers from the Pollack Cinemas, I don’t think I will ever consider Harkins or AMC or any other corporate theatre for a showing again. This theatre really caters to the independent film crowd and makes it reasonable and possible for a few film students from the valley to really put on a decent show. Not to mention, the ambience of this place is just way cool. Chandaliers, a cool little Hollywood minature on the mantel…

…and an enlarged photograph of Michael Pollack and President George W. Bush on the wall.We hope to see all of you at the event so mark your calendars!!!