New Journeys

Today is a special day because my writing partner, Lindsay Baker, embarked on a two-month research/music education trip to Ghana. It has always been a dream of hers to go to Africa and I am thrilled for her to have this opportunity.

Last night when I was saying "Bon voyage!" I couldn't help but feel a little sad because I will really miss her even though I am excited about her adventures ahead. It feels so strange to know that she won't be popping in through my front door after working at Eastman so that we can get to work on one of our projects. (The list is long.)

For the next two months while she is gone, my projects are solo and I have to admit that Iam not accustomed to that. With that realization, I recognize today as a new day and realize that a new journey awaits me too ... not as exciting as an African adventure, but when I think about it, there is still a lot to keep me busy ... and happy and fulfilled as a creative artist.

Here's what's on tap:

1. SSAA composition of "When I Go Fishin'"
June 1st is a deadline for an SSAA original choral work. The criteria for the work is a light-hearted song about fishing. I have been working on the poem for about a month, and posted the poem on my facebook page. I'll post it below ...

2. SATB arrangements of the "Mass for the Living" and orchestrations.
This is the project I started this year and recorded in March for the Sacred Arts Foundation Sacred Music Competition. I am fulfilling the promise to write a Mass in honor of my mother. (She died ten years ago.) Nancia D'Alimonte will be programming it for the December 11th Concert with the NIH Philharmonic in Washington, D.C.

3. Film scoring school in Seattle, WA.
I will be doing an 'Intensive' with Hummie Mann. One of my dreams is to score a movie.

Hopefully, I will be so busy I won't notice that I am lonely ... but then again, maybe everyone really does need that time alone like the poem described ...

WHEN I GO FISHIN’


Oh! Let me grab my fishin’ pole
and skedaddle to the fishin’ hole.
The sun's already risen
and the birds are calling me.

I'm puttin' on my lucky hat
and leavin' a note where I’ll be at ...
with tackle box and lunch,
I like it quite a bunch
when I go fishin’.

I’ll feed the fish a tasty treat--
maggots, worms or bugs to eat
and if they do not take the bait
then I will sit and wait .... and wait … and wait

I’ll find the perfect skipping stone ...
plop, plop, plop, plop, plop ...
take a nap, or be alone ...

Oh! Let me grab my fishing pole
and skedaddle to the fishing hole.
The sun's already risen
and the birds are calling me.

I’m puttin' on my lucky hat
and leavin’ a note where I’ll be at ...
in my favorite spot.
Don’t care if it’s hot
when I go fishin’.

When I’m sitting by the pond
it's like I’ve waved a magic wand
and like a song from yesterday
my troubles start to fade away.

When peace of mind is what I’ve got
then why should I care if i catch a lot?

Oh! Let me grab my fishing pole
and skedaddle to the fishing hole ...
The sun's already risen
and the birds are calling me.

I'm puttin' on my lucky hat
and leavin' a note where I’ll be at ...
I love the way I feel
with my rod and reel--
when I go fishin’!!