End of summer post

Greetings friends! I apologize for not having updated in a while, due in part to a recent illness that I'm still in the process of getting over (no worries, I'm fine, though I'm still on an aggravating and old-man-ish schedule of pill-taking). BUT, I figured it was time for an update, so here you go! Get excited.

I just recently put the finishing touches on my piece for the Louisiana All-State Jr. High Chorus - "Tony Malone and his Skeleton Band" for SATB Choir, Piano, and Jazz Vibraphone. Written in the style of an old Cab Calloway song, it tells the story of a legendary jazz saxophone player named Tony who is now a skeleton, and is feeling down because, without any "lips to blow", he can no longer play the sax. But, when he find outs that plucking on his ribs makes a sound (hence, the Vibraphone), he decides to start up a band of rib/vibraphone-playing skeletons. It's pretty goofy and ridiculous, but I think it will be a lot of fun to work on with the choir and could be a neat way of introducing them to jazz rhythms, harmony, and the concept of jazz improvisation. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all turns out!

Remember that Abbey Road Anthem competition I posted about a while back? Me too. Still waiting to hear something about the results... *tap tap tap*

I had a conversation with Randy Klein last week where we talked about the future of the Margaret Walker project, as well as some new projects on which I might not be at liberty to divulge much information yet, and I can tell you that there are some exciting things on the way! We're looking into new performances at new venues with new musical forces at work, and it sounds like quite a lot of fun. Also, if you haven't seen it yet, check out this YouTube video (also on my Multimedia page) of "Ballad of the Free" being performed with the JMU Chorale this past April.

On a note unrelated to composition or arranging, I'm going out tonight for my first legit theatrical audition in quite some time. I'll be going out for the Lynchburg Academy of Fine Arts' production of "Babes In Arms" by Rodgers & Hart. Here's hoping I break a leg, without literally breaking a leg since I'm still a bit sore from being sick. :p

And to end on a humorous note, I present to you another one of my memes that I created in my spare time:

My Face When I Listen To Certain Composers, As Represented By Memes

~James B