July Update

Summer has finally set in, with record heat outside, I have been enjoying the air conditioning a little more then usual.    During this time, something rather important has come to my attention.  My car does not have a working AC.  Actually, I have never owned a car with working AC.   Most of the  it is not too bad, I can roll down a window, but the heat has been a bit worse this year, and when I get to ride in a car with AC, I get overly excited at the wonders of modern technology.

Honestly, I am not sure how I would react to have a working AC in my car, it almost feels like a luxery item.   This has led, surprisingly enough, to more practice time, and less distraction.  Very good things for me, and time to plot and plan the next couple of months.

I have decided, after some debate, that I wish to get my website running again.   Up until about a year and a half ago, I had a website, designed by a friend of mine who was trying to start up a web design business.   It did nothing but good for me, and I was happy to have it.  Several performances I got, were directly possible because of the website.   So hopefully soon, I can get my website back up, and post a link.   Also, I am looking for suggestions of places to host the website.  Feel free to offer any suggestions in the comments section or drop me a message on facebook, found here.

Another pet project, was one dreamed up by me, and longtime friend and songwriter, Andy Jones.  A few years back we brainstormed an idea to have a "Fine Arts Fusion"  to showcase several musicians of different genres: such as classical, jazz, and indie music.  We revisted the idea last night, and were going to look into it, and see if we can make it happen!  Check back for updates!

For Those Who Call for Change Part 2

It was a sticky situation, the place was coming apart, the boards on the windows would not hold for long, supplies were limited, and worst of all, THEY just kept coming.  Who was they?  Nazi Zombies, which I guess are worse then regular. zombies, which means I have to ask, are there Jewish Zombies?  American? Christian, what happens when a Nazi zombie bites an american?   I derail of course....It was a fun night, of x box, booze, and later on karaoke.   With just enough vodka in us for no one to care about how truly bad we are.

I mean, it was a night of quiet reflection, as I pondered the meaning of life...Yeah, that's it!

And now....Mozart!

In my last post, I briefly ranted about changes in classical music, and ruminated on the audience; what music meant to them.     I also believe though that many changes have already happened.   Are we blind to them? Are they enough to satisfy those who rally with the cry of "change?"   Or, are the small changes I see, more of a local event?   Not as spread out as I would like to believe.

Small Disclaimer:  This is all 100% opinion based on my observations, I will not be offering statistics, just what I have seen with my own eyes.

If we classical musicians have a uniform, it would be the formal tux, or black dress.   Many concerts the pianist, or soloist, can be seen taking the stage wearing his best tux, or her best dress.   The members of the orchestra, present a unified front, men also wearing tuxes, women in dresses.

In the big orchestral concerts, this is mostly still true, the standard concert dress.  That is perfect I believe, I feel it adds to the performance, so many musicians acting as one to bring a piece of music to life.  Though, in many smaller intimate concerts, the dress seems to be changing.

The dress is becoming causual; more and more often, I see concerts by artists, who are not wearing their Sunday best.    Jeans or sometimes a t-shirt.   Friend and Chicago based pianist, Jonathan Cambry, is a great example, bringing his individual style to the concert platform.

Here is a video of a recent series of performances he was apart of.  I believe the relaxed dressed helps people feel more at ease in a concert.

Sometimes, it has helped the audience just relate more with the performers.   They do not feel an uptightness, and relax and enjoy the music more.




Overall, musicians are trying harder to give the concert goer a more relaxed experience.   We are in touch with the members in our audiences, as we play the music we love.

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Those Who Call for Change....Part 1

Over and over again, I run into blogs and articles on how Classical music needs to "change", that it is old fashioned.   Everyone appears to have an opinion on the subject, and many times it is, we need to change the formula to win the kids back.

So how does one respond?  By writing a blog on the subject of course! And, become annoyed at myself later for doing it.

What seems to be lacking, is what the concert experience is for people.  Which is increasingly varied.   Let's not worry about the wide variety of music styles, even in styles such as rock, which has many niche styles, that will never achieve wide spread acclaim.  Let's just discuss what the concert experience is for people.

All around the world, people go to concerts for different reasons, in some parts, they are much more relaxed at classical concerts.   Even in America, going to a concert, can be a different experience, by which part of the country you are in, who the typical audience members are.   I know many people who enjoy getting to go to something "classy", getting to dress up, and go for a night on the town.   They truly enjoy listening in silence to the music.

Some people, it is a more spiritual experience, classical music, can bring them closer to God.   I am reminded of the times I have played at churches, and the reaction to the music being played.   One church prided it's self on playing modern church music.  Songs that were more akin to top 40 radio then spiritual works.   I would sometimes play some classical during the time of communion, during a time of silence for the congregation to pray.    Often, I was hit with the complete silence after I would play.  It was louder then any applause I have ever received, and I rarely felt it, when non instrumental or classical works were played. At first, worried, that I had not done my job well, but what followed touched me.   Many people, came up to me after the service, and complimented me, thanking me for playing that music, that it had reminded them of something important, memories, family members or close friends, and allowed themselves to open up emotionally.  

My eyes were open after this, to the different uses, and needs of the music I played.   Differences between a concert, a small intimate recital, or just a piece at church.    I feel many, who claim there need to be change, want to pigeon whole the music.  Classify it as easily as some pop music genres.  Seeing the concerts of the big stars, and maybe, feeling a twinge of jealousy, wishing for something more like that.    This is all purely opinion and guess work.   It is important to consider our role as artists, we do not all have the same path, and more ticket sales are not always the end goal.

My own goals are simple...If even just one person walks away from a performance of mine, and was touched on an emotionally level, I have done my job.  I feel, that when I play, that there is a sharing of intimate stories, melodramatic, exciting, sometimes tragic, but always uplifting.

Please feel free to comment and subscribe; I would love to discuss this further.    And click like on my facebook page, for further updates and projects.

In part two, I would like to discuss, why I think many of the changes, that some call for, may have already happened.