Wow, is it November 20th already? Where has the time gone? Oh, yeah. It's gone into an amazing year spent with some of the most incredible people. I've had another great semester at SMNW, working with some of the most talented young musicians. I've nearly completed my second semester of PhD coursework at Kansas State University. And, I've published my second novel on Kindle and saw my first novel come out in paperback.
Not too bad, really. But what is more important, I have had the most amazing period of personal growth as a person and as a composer. My creativity has been off the charts - several commissions already completed and an amazing new one on the horizon. So what's my secret?
Family.
I have an amazing partner who inspires me. She is the most amazing woman I've ever known and every day I give thanks for her presence in my life. And then there's her kids, two of the most amazing young people I've ever known. They have accepted me into their lives and I am so thankful for that. And then there's my biggest fans: my folks. Every year, every day, they never give up on me.
So, as we pause this weekend to give thanks for all that we have, I want all y'all to know how much I appreciate the love and support I have in my life. And if you're a former student, colleague, friend, or family member, or a newfound fan of Bartemus or my music, I want you to know how much I am thankful for YOU.
Peace,
Jeffrey
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
When I'm not teaching or composing (or working on my PhD - geez, I think I may be a little busy), I'm writing. I've written a lot of poetry and some professional journal and book articles, but my heart lies in a lovely little project I call "The Prairie Adventures." It's about a group of friends who lived on the Prairie before humans showed up. Bartemus, a Rabbit, Timblelew, a Badger, and Willoughby, a very hungry Wolverine, make up the core group of Critters who solve mysteries, play music, and get into a lot of trouble together.
The first book in the series, Bartemus Ammblin in the Old Forest (Prairie Adventures Volume One), was released in October of 2011. The second book, Bartemus Ammblin on the Back of the Giants (Prairie Adventures Volume Two) was released this week.
I'm very blessed to work with an amazing graphic design firm, J.Steadman Creative and Marketing Services, for all my covers. Check them out here. And, please check out Bartemus and Friends, here, and let me know what you think.
Until then, may all your creative dreams come true!
Peace,
Jeffrey
The first book in the series, Bartemus Ammblin in the Old Forest (Prairie Adventures Volume One), was released in October of 2011. The second book, Bartemus Ammblin on the Back of the Giants (Prairie Adventures Volume Two) was released this week.
I'm very blessed to work with an amazing graphic design firm, J.Steadman Creative and Marketing Services, for all my covers. Check them out here. And, please check out Bartemus and Friends, here, and let me know what you think.
Until then, may all your creative dreams come true!
Peace,
Jeffrey
Saturday, August 25, 2012
New School Year, New Possibilities
School started a couple weeks back, both for my students and for me. We're hard at work at SMNW, well, I'm hard at work trying to get them to practice after a long summer hiatus from their instruments, and I'm hard at work on my PhD studies at Kansas State University.
Commissions are going well, too. I am finishing up commissions for Shawnee Mission West's Symphony Orchestra, a new powerhouse work entitled "Aethelinda" (Welsh for "dragon") as well as a string orchestra work commissioned by the Gold Orchestra/40th Annual String Fling at K-State. And, oddly enough, I may be adding a work for solo tuba to the mix. I'm excited about that one, as I've not done much chamber music and really would like to explore the virtuosic aspects of the instrument (confession: yes, I play the tuba and I like it).
But mostly, I am happy in my personal life, surrounded by loving friends and family who keep me honest and on an even keel. They are my real reward in this crazy world.
Perspective, folks. Keep it real.
Peace,
Jeffrey
Commissions are going well, too. I am finishing up commissions for Shawnee Mission West's Symphony Orchestra, a new powerhouse work entitled "Aethelinda" (Welsh for "dragon") as well as a string orchestra work commissioned by the Gold Orchestra/40th Annual String Fling at K-State. And, oddly enough, I may be adding a work for solo tuba to the mix. I'm excited about that one, as I've not done much chamber music and really would like to explore the virtuosic aspects of the instrument (confession: yes, I play the tuba and I like it).
But mostly, I am happy in my personal life, surrounded by loving friends and family who keep me honest and on an even keel. They are my real reward in this crazy world.
Perspective, folks. Keep it real.
Peace,
Jeffrey
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Always enjoy seeing a package from UPS on the ol' doorstep and today I had a nice surprise from one of my publishers:
"Erebus" is my newest work for string orchestra available from Kjos Music Co. You can listen to it over at my YouTube Channel as well. And now that I've gotten the last paper of my summer semester finished, I can concentrate on getting back to writing more music! I love the fact that my "other job" is such a joy!
I hope you're staying cool out there!
Peace,
Jeffrey
"Erebus" is my newest work for string orchestra available from Kjos Music Co. You can listen to it over at my YouTube Channel as well. And now that I've gotten the last paper of my summer semester finished, I can concentrate on getting back to writing more music! I love the fact that my "other job" is such a joy!
I hope you're staying cool out there!
Peace,
Jeffrey
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Wow. Long time, no post, huh? Sorry about that.
Bit of a whirlwind in this composer's life I guess you could say! Wrapped up a really good year at SMNW and sent another class of young people out into the world armed only with ambition, good hearts, and a willingness to ask questions. Hopefully they'll play their instruments every now and then, too, but really, that'd be frosting on the cake.
Then I sent myself back to school. I'm now officially a PhD student at Kansas State University. My first class for the summer wrapped up earlier this week and I've got two more to go. Interesting, being on the other side of the equation in the classroom. Especially since my first class was on learning theories. It really made me think about what I do and how I do it. But nobody has yet to answer my most burning question: what is learning? I mean that in the noun sense of the word, not the verb. It's a quandary I'll continue to look at as I finish up homework for the course.
Speaking of which, I probably should go do homework now.
I hope you're doing well and enjoying your summer. Stay mindful of the gifts in your life. The air we breathe, the friends we choose, the family we keep close; all of these can give us more peace than we realize. I am blessed to have such gifts in my life and I hope you do, too.
Until next time, I wish you peace.
Jeffrey
Bit of a whirlwind in this composer's life I guess you could say! Wrapped up a really good year at SMNW and sent another class of young people out into the world armed only with ambition, good hearts, and a willingness to ask questions. Hopefully they'll play their instruments every now and then, too, but really, that'd be frosting on the cake.
Then I sent myself back to school. I'm now officially a PhD student at Kansas State University. My first class for the summer wrapped up earlier this week and I've got two more to go. Interesting, being on the other side of the equation in the classroom. Especially since my first class was on learning theories. It really made me think about what I do and how I do it. But nobody has yet to answer my most burning question: what is learning? I mean that in the noun sense of the word, not the verb. It's a quandary I'll continue to look at as I finish up homework for the course.
Speaking of which, I probably should go do homework now.
I hope you're doing well and enjoying your summer. Stay mindful of the gifts in your life. The air we breathe, the friends we choose, the family we keep close; all of these can give us more peace than we realize. I am blessed to have such gifts in my life and I hope you do, too.
Until next time, I wish you peace.
Jeffrey
Friday, April 20, 2012
Another April ALMOST in the books, and it's been one of the best yet. I'm celebrating my next trip around the sun this weekend, after a great week. My orchestras did very well at State Contest, upholding a twelve year tradition of the highest ratings. I've received a couple more commissions, one with some great travel opportunities as well, and well, it's my birthday!
We've got a few more big events and then school will be over before we know it. And then I will start my next adventure: work toward earning my Doctorate in Music Education from Kansas State University. I'm excited and scared all at the same time!
I hope you're all doing well and making your dreams come true out there! Because if you're not, you better go look in the mirror and see what's holding you back!
Peace,
Jeffrey
We've got a few more big events and then school will be over before we know it. And then I will start my next adventure: work toward earning my Doctorate in Music Education from Kansas State University. I'm excited and scared all at the same time!
I hope you're all doing well and making your dreams come true out there! Because if you're not, you better go look in the mirror and see what's holding you back!
Peace,
Jeffrey
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)