I’m writing a quick update to inform everyone that I’ll be returning to Madison this weekend for a very short trip to attend a rehearsal of my Percussion Duo.  I’m looking forward terribly to seeing Sean Kleve and Jennifer Hedstrom again and to get a first listen of the music.

The performance will ultimately take place on 13 December 2013 at 7:30pm at the Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery.  See the Clocks in Motion website for more details.

And also, many congratulations on the group for raising an astounding $4250 from 107 supporters to record their debut album.  I’m so happy to be 1 of the 107 supporters, and I eagerly await the release of this recording.

At long last, I’ve finished my Percussion Duo for Sean Kleve and Jennifer Hedstrom.  I’m spending my Labor Day, er, laboring on getting the score finished in Finale.  I’m very excited to head off to the print shop tomorrow and then mail everything off to them.  The premiere will be at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery this December.

My next project is a set of miniatures that will become part of a collaboration with Minneapolis artist Matt Semke.  I don’t want to leak too many details at this point, but all I’m going to say is that this project is going to be a real joy to work on!

Today Madison colleague and composer Liam James Moore will present his final show on WSUM 91.7FM out of Madison, WI from 4-5pm CST.  The show will feature music by composers with ties to Madison, and one of those composers happens to be me!  I sent off recordings to him late last night, and he’ll pick one of them to play.  I can’t wait to find out what he’ll choose!

If you’re not in the Madison area, you can tune in to WSUM via a live stream.  Just go to their website and use one of their WSUM live stream links at the top right of the page.

Take a look at today’s Composers Circle.  Many thanks to Eric Guinivan for featuring me!  If you’re visiting my site for the first time after seeing me on Eric’s site, welcome!  I’ve got a number of exciting projects at the moment, including a premiere of my Euphonium Sonata in Luzern (a multimedia performance featuring the work artist Xavier Nuez, performance TBA), in addition to a premiere of my Percussion Duo for marimba/vibes and piano this December at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.  I’m finishing up the third movement now with hopes of getting an engraved copy of the score to my performers by the end of the month.

Also, I’ve been meaning to write for quite a while regarding the LP project and the Kickstarter.  Unfortunately and sadly, the Kickstarter to fund the project failed.  But, while this is annoying, it’s also quite all right in the end.  This is only a momentary delay.  It’ll also make a nice addition to my collection of rejection letters.

I learned quite a bit about Kickstarter in the process, however, and it was a good experience putting it together and seeing how it works.  At the very least, I managed to create some buzz.  I’m still very excited to put together an LP, and it will happen some day.

Many thanks to all of you who pledged your support.  I’m so sorry that you won’t be able to receive the wonderful gifts I would have given you in return.  But rest assured that there are other ways to fund project like this, other approaches to how to complete a project like this, and that this is only a momentary delay.

It, indeed, could happen, but not without your support!

Back in 2009, I met the wonderful Traci Brimhall, and she, soprano Jennifer Lien, and I embarked on a little collaboration together through the Wisconsin Art Song Project (WASP).  What resulted was a song cycle, Aubades, a setting of four of her poems from her very own set of aubades.  And now, I’ve embarked on a “little” project of my own, my very first LP/iTunes album, and the Aubades cycle will feature as one of the works on this double LP.

But, this won’t happen unless we reach our funding goal on Kickstarter.  Pledge today!  You’ve only got until this Saturday 13 July at 9:00pm.  So, don’t hesitate.  Pledge now!  Join 40 other backers whose support I have welcomed with appreciative, humbled, open arms.

We’re just about one week away from the deadline for meeting the $12,000 goal on the Kickstarter.  We are currently $9610 away from the $12,000 goal.  We need 275 pledges of $35 by 13 July in order to reach our goal.

First of all, I am so very happy that we have come this far, and I cannot express my thanks enough for those who have contributed already and who believe that this project deserves their support.  If you want to find out who they are, watch my YouTube video, an update on the Kickstarter from 2 July, where I list all 36 backers of the project.

The reality, however, is that we really need to start picking up the pace now that we’re entering the final stretch.  Don’t hesitate to pledge now.  I will welcome your support with open arms.  Any little bit counts, any little bit matters, and no pledge will go unnoticed.  Don’t wait, otherwise it’ll be too late.

Again, my heartfelt thanks to those who believe this project deserves to move forward, and my heartfelt thanks to those who believe the same but haven’t quite pledged their support yet.  Please do so by 13 July at 9:00pm.

As we say in the marvelous state of Wisconsin, “Forward!”  That is, forward to a goal worthy of the Star of the North.

Watch my little video update on YouTube.

Last day to pledge support towards my Kickstarter is July 13th, 2013.  Don’t hesitate.  Pledge today!

Have you already pledged?  Then, thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!  Keep spreading the word!

(Also, apologies for the quality of the video, as I’ve not got a proper device to record videos.  I filmed myself using a still camera from 2006 that happens to have the ability to record some video.)

This week’s City Pages announces my Kickstarter for the LP.  You can either read their e-edition of this week’s City Pages or find a free print copy around town.  You can also read a little blurb about the Kickstarter on Voice Places.

As it stands–updating from this morning’s post–we now need 293 pledges of $35 to reach our goal to fully fund the LP.  Remember, Kickstarter is all or nothing, so pledge now to help us make our goal.  Also, unlike MPR, there are no “procrastinator specials,” so pledge today!  Any amount is welcome.  Do what works for you, whether that’s $5, $10, $20, etc.  If you pledge $35, you will receive the LP!  Gifts increase as you pledge more money, which includes posters, lathe cuts, and me cooking you dinner among other prizes.

And, if this is your first visit to my site, welcome, welcome, welcome!  Take a look around!  To find out more about the LP/iTunes album, visit my Kickstarter Project page on my site to read about the LP and to listen to excerpts and recordings of pieces that will feature on the album.

If you like what you hear, then go to my page on Kickstarter to make your pledge!  We won’t be able to do this without your support.  This entire venture is funded by music listeners like you!

That’s what it will take to meet the $12,000 goal for the LP.  We can do this!  Visit my Kickstarter page to pledge your support today!  Are you 1 of 296 people willing to pledge $35?  I bet you are!  Don’t wait!  Pledge today!  There are no procrastinator’s specials a la Minnesota Public Radio.  Of course, I welcome all amounts whether it’s $20, $10, or $5.  Whatever amount works for you, pledge today, and I will welcome it with open arms!

Also, go out and grab a copy of City Pages and turn specifically to the music section to get a glimpse of the ads I’ve placed to help drum up support for the Kickstarter.

Happy pledging!  And remember, this project is supported by music listeners and Internet users like you.  Thank-you!

The American Composers Forum announced my Kickstarter on their site.  Also, watch out for next week’s edition of the City Pages, as I’ll be placing an ad for the Kickstarter in their music section.  This is all just in time for Twin Cities Pride.  Many thanks to Teri Springer for planting this seed of an idea in my brain’s garden.

The Kickstarter continues to build momentum, but we’ve still a long way to go!  Every little bit counts.  If you pledge $35, you will receive the LP… the whole thing!  If I find 325 people to pledge $35, we will reach our goal of $12,000.  Are you one of the 325 people out there?  I bet you are!

We, all of us involved with this project, appreciate your support.  We won’t be able to do this without you.

(I like to pretend that whenever I write or talk about the Kickstarter that I’m on Minnesota Public Radio doing a pledge drive.  Read this in your head to the voice of Cathy Wurzer or Kerri Miller, if you want.  I do.)

Incidentally, do you support your local public radio station by being a member?  I do.  In fact, I’m an MPR Sustainer.  Isn’t that fun?