I just delivered the first set of parts and score to Smith Junior High School here in Mesa, Arizona for a new piece I’m calling Lightworks. The piece is five minutes long, about a grade 3+ (okay, let’s just say it: grade 4), and doesn’t really know what it is. That is, no one seems to know how or what to classify it as. It’s sort of a blend of syncopated melodies, changing time signatures, a machine-like metric pulse, and is (as some have described) reminiscent of a “demented game show from the 50s … where somebody dies if you answer wrong.” 

Curious?

LIGHTWORKS PDF
http://blog.michaelmarkowski.com/media/lightworks_fullscore_20090311_noprint.pdf

LIGHTWORKS MIDI REALIZATION:
http://www.michaelmarkowski.com/music/lightworks.mp3

A little over a week ago, I was in Austin, Texas for what was sort of the “unofficial official concert premiere” of Turkey in the Straw by the Austin Symphonic Band. Before last month, the piece had not yet had a premiere performance (although Arizona State did a mad recording session for me a year ago). The ASB, directed by Richard Floyd, gave a great performance and everyone in Austin was real friendly-like.  If you didn’t know, the band is a community band, a majority of whom are not music professionals but still just love to play. After a long day in the chemistry lab, what’s more relaxing than working on Grantham’s Southern Harmony?

I had a little spare time during my short stay, so Kevin Jedele — Manhattan Beach Music Booth Exhibiter and mad-skilled ASB Trumper player (and my ride and roof) — showed me around the UT campus. A little voice in the back of my head is telling me I should try to transfer and finish my degree. But Mom is always saying that.

After a couple of concerts and an amazing breakfast taco at Juan in a Million, it was time to head back home. I’ll be back soon, though. Somehow, I was convinced I should attend this year’s CBDNA conference which is being held at UT. I’ve never been, but I hear there are some amazing concerts and some amazing new pieces that are amazingly hard, loud, and fast.