2023 was the most “normal” year since 2019…for better or worse. It was the busiest year I’ve ever had, with amazing highlights and a deep exhaustion I’m working on recovering from in these quiet late-December days. This fall I took to saying, “I feel guilty for ever saying I was busy before.”
Writing
I published a new post on this site every day in 2023, totaling 364 posts (plus today!).
I wrote over 66,000 words written for my blog this year; That averages to over 5,500 a month or around 180 per day, or a little less when you factor out a few longer posts. That’s always my goal – an easily and quickly readable post.
My goal remains to publish a post every day under three main tentpoles: education, vocal music, and creativity. Almost everything I write pertains to one of the three. Every post is categorized, though I’ve only got consistent categorization for the last three years or so.
Composing/Arranging
I completed two new arrangements for Shades of Blue this year: Castaways – available now, and Fascinating Rhythm which should be published soon. We recorded both arrangements. I’m already excited for two new arrangements in 2024 for Shades.
Rockford Choirs did a 1970’s themed Cabaret this year. I wrote 44 band arrangements (bass/drums/guitar) in about a week – my most ever. I always love working with wonderful musician friends as bandleader for this event, and making some great music with great students.
I completed the exercises for 2024 MSVMA High School sight reading for Choral Festival and Solo & Ensemble. This may be my last year writing sight reading, which I’ve done for the better part of 15 years.
I completed a couple new arrangements for The Rockford Aces, including a quick version of a Spongebob Squarepants tune for a friend’s daughter’s 16th birthday. Much new in the works for 2024 for the Aces.
I created a new edition of the Victoria Ave Maria for the Rockford Choirs performance tour of Spain – no significant edits, just a clearer edition that reflected the direction Mandy wanted to go with her students.
This summer I worked on creating a complete works list. I was surprised to find that my musical works currently total 225!
I’m blessed to be able to stay busy writing music I’m excited about. If you’re interested in commissioning something in 2024 or beyond, now’s the time to hit me up!
Conducting
The Rockford Aces are now in their 16th year. Our 15th Anniversary Concert was a massive highlight, including premiering a new commission from Anders Edenroth – “A Camaraderie Ensemble Suite” written just for us. We finished recording on our sixth album, which I’m finalizing the mixing of right now. The 16th year is proving to be musically strong as well as the largest group we’ve ever had at 16. I’m excited for the future.
I am now in my seventh year directing GRCC Shades of Blue. Last year’s quartet grew so much in Winter semester and made some fantastic music. We spent the spring recording an EP that will be out very soon. This fall we have had an octet – a larger group and a fantastic one. We have a busy semester ahead of us after a fall of building and growing.
We did our third international tour with the Rockford Touring Choir this spring – a sold-out concert tour of Spain. It’s amazing to spend time in these amazing spaces, and a privilege to help students see the world. We’ve committed to biannual international trips until retirement, so I’ve already begun planning the next one.
Professional Growth
I continue to serve MSVMA as Supervisor of the All-State Jazz Choir. We had a fantastic ensemble in January, 2023 under my dear friend and mentor, April Tini. Right now we’re about 4 weeks out from the 2024 ensemble, directed by the fantastic Dr. Kate Reid. I’m excited to see this activity to continue to grow and flourish with the support of MSVMA.
In addition to conducting Shades of Blue, I continue to teach applied lessons at GRCC – I have been teaching jazz voice, jazz piano and composition. I’ll be teaching Jazz Theory this coming semester, and I am proud to continue contributing to this very fine music department in various ways. A delightful new development is the potential addition of a Spring Term section of Shades of Blue, where we’ll focus on studio recording.
I am proud to be published with many fantastic independent publishers, including Anchor Music, UNC Jazz Press, Pavane, and at Sheet Music Plus. One of my early-2024 intentions is to get more of my back catalog published via ArrangeMe. Stay tuned!
My Patreon is due for a reimagining; more to come on that soon!
The Michigan Choral Commission Consortium is on hiatus this school year as I reassess how to give it the time it deserves in my busy schedule. Last school year we commissioned two pieces (and I provided a third) with around 25 ensembles participating in the Consortium. The pieces contributed by Jeffrey Cobb and Brandon Waddles were excellent.
Every day I am looking for more and better ways to give back to my professional community – with my time, with my attention, and with my words. If you have an idea for a project we could work together on to make the choral community stronger, please contact me!
Personal Growth
I baked 90 loaves of bread in 2023, and hardly a week went by without some of our family staples: homemade pizza, pancakes, waffles, focaccia…. Cooking and baking remain outlets for me to clear my head of music, and a tangible way to express my love for family and friends. 60 loaves of my sandwich bread means my kids can’t really imagine what store-bought sandwich bread tastes like. I like that.
I recently completed my first year as Scoutmaster and have had a very Scout-y year indeed. In addition to guiding my sons’ troop, I also served as an Assistant Scoutmaster for National Jamboree Troop 3142, spending 10 days in the mountains of West Virginia with both my sons and 10,000 other Scouts. It was a magical experience. My son Owen earned his Eagle, my son Julian is very close. Amazing to see the way they have flourished through these experiences. All in all I spent 28 nights camping in 2023 – a number I’m not anxious to repeat – and countless hours volunteering in this capacity. I completed an advanced training called Wood Badge that culminated with completing some self-designed projects. One of mine was to develop and edit a weekly article for our local newspaper; over 40 articles were published this year featuring the exploits of Scouts in our town.
I read 16 books in 2023. I find it hard to carve out as much time for reading as I want to, but am also mindful that I read a lot more than many. It fills my spirit.
Our dear dog Bijou remains a blessing – she gets me out into the world every day. These days, our 11-1/2 year old girl is much slowed down – down to a half mile most mornings from her peak of 4+ per day. But we’re out in it, rain or shine, and she’s trained me and Mandy well enough that we are often out for an extra two after we finish walking with her.
My favorite week of the year was once again the week off of the grid in western Massachusetts. Reconnecting with Alice Parker, but also reconnecting with our family, with play, and with the world. We have now done a week there three summers in a row, and are now beyond grateful we sacrificed to make it happen, for one last chance to spend hours with Alice.
I can’t imagine doing any of what I’m doing without my amazing partner, Mandy. She inspires and motivates me, is my first and most trusted editor and confidant, and makes everything I do better. We celebrated our 21st anniversary this year, and it just keeps getting better.
My life is full in the best possible ways, and on the horizon I see possibilities I couldn’t have dreamed even a few years ago. Every day I try to do the best I can at the job in front of me, and on most days I see positive change.