So maybe the reason I haven’t had time to blog is that I’ve been in command of an Army band,which (guess what?) is a full-time job.
But maybe I just might have three minutes to write about the few pieces I’ve been able to eek (eke? eak?) out during this busy time.
The most significant piece I completed was ‘Leaps and Rounds‘ for brass quintet and band. I’m quite proud of this piece and I’ll make it a point to write about it in some detail in the future because I think it might actually be an interesting short essay. I also wrote a march in a very short time; as in, “I think I’ll write a march” to “It’s done” in four days. Actually, the story behind that one is pretty interesting, too.
But the most recent piece is my farewell gift to my band, the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band. The piece is called ‘A Summer Breeze,’ and with its composition I am halfway through my take on the seasons (‘A Winter Flurry‘ was first). I think it’s the most ridiculously happy piece I’ve ever written, a light, fluffy, jolly, tuneful, summery overture. The Band will premiere it at the Change of Command concert on the 5th of July when I reliquish command. Well, actually, we’ll play it at our Independence Day concerts on the 3rd and 4th, too.