Dress RehearsalWith the ensemble in the performance venue and only hours until the premiere, the focus of the dress rehearsal was maximizing the visual...
Preparing the AudiencePreparing an audience to listen to a new composition is a daunting task. I never want to be too prescriptive - or, really, prescriptive...
First Two RehearsalsPossibly the trickiest aspect of composition is the fact that it is all in your head until the first rehearsal. Sure, you can write it...
The First MeetingIt's hard to believe, but this is the first time I'm speaking to Toby in person. (For context: we have been working on making this...
Preparing for a Premiere (Part 1)This project is all about perspectives. While I (Alex) as the composer have inevitably monopolized the blog, Imogen has written two...
Preparing Parts Part 2: An Exercise in PerspectiveIn part 1 I took a broad view on the topic of performance parts. Here, in the second post on the subject, I'll review the unique...
Preparing Parts Part 1: Acknowledging the TaskParts: that mountain of work you have to do after you think you're done with a piece. Yep, the sweet victory of the recent completion has...
Communicating Across ContinentsOne of the first hurdles of any collaborative effort is establishing the means and modes of communication. This task is no small matter....
