J Aaron Greene

Last night I reconnected with a friend from several years ago that I haven’t seen in some time. I’d say it’s been about three years since I last saw Dan. Dan lived right across the hall from me my freshmen year in school. I remember him sticking his head in, probably the first time I ever saw him, and asking, “Who’s listening to the Philip Glass?” As I recall he kind of shook his head a bit. As a faithful twentieth century music advocate, I didn’t let it bother me. In fact, I heard all sorts of comments about modern music during my time in school.

Six years later Dan accompanied me on my grad recital. We spent many hours together preparing that music.We had moments of great music making together. If you’ve never experienced that, sorry, it’s not really something someone can fully explain to another.

Much has happened in Dan’s life since then. He went to Kansas and completed a doctorate in composition. As I mentioned to Dan last night though, the doctoral degree, although a huge accomplishment, seems almost like an after thought given all his other successes in the past few years. He has won some of the biggest awards out there in the composition world and has been commissioned for some of the most prestigious venues and concert halls. I think last night was probably a list maker though. It was the first concert consisting of compositions all by Dan Forrest. As he noted on his website, there will only be one “first” concert like this.

As expected, the concert was fantastic. Two back-to-back performances were sold out, 1200 tickets. Dr. Cook had his choir focused and ready. Those in attendance heard some wonderful things.

The program was as follows:
……………………………….
Arise, Shine

Three Nocturnes
I. Stars
II. Lightly stepped a yellow star
III. Thou motive of the stars

A Basque Lullaby

You Are the Music

Oread Farewell
……………………………….
Of particular interest was the last piece. It was a collaboration between Dan and Anthony Silvestri. Those in choral circles recognize Silvestri’s name quickly due to his work being a major part of the music of Eric Whitacre. Silvestri has written the texts to many of Whitacre’s biggest successes. The piece was written as a farewell gift to the many friends Dan made while in Kansas. It was premiered in Kansas just three nights before this performance. It was a lovely ending to a great concert. I don’t think anyone really wanted it to end.

I was personally moved the most by You Are the Music. When Dan spoke at the concert he noted that this particular piece is about musicians. They are the creators of live music. They make it possible for others to experience this gift that is music. I know in my heart I’m a good musician. I know that some of the things I’ve created have moved people in the past. They’ve told me about it. I sat listening last night a bit discouraged with all the distractions this life offers. I felt discouraged about my personal discipline to make myself keep writing, even if no one else hears it but me, my wife, and God. I don’t think I’ve buried anything yet, but I think it’s got some dirt on it. I want to change that.

I would have to say my favorite work of the night was A Basque Lullaby. For me, it doesn’t get much better. It took me to a better place and I got to exist there for four minutes.

Great music Dan, great performance, Dr. Cook. Thanks for the gift that you both gave us last night.

I got a chance to do a little web design this past week at work. I usually don’t get to design for work. We have real designers there. Anyway, I spent an afternoon putting together a little site to sell Justin Gerard’s amazing Photoshop Tools. My co-worker and friend Ben Kammer made it a reality when he did the flash coding and programming, definitely something I can’t do. Go check it out.

Even if you’re not a designer I think you’ll really enjoy the images in the gallery, or you might want to pick up a hip new t-shirt at our new store. If you are a designer or digital painter, you’ll probably want to consider picking these babies up. They are nuts, let me tell you.

Wow, it’s been quite a while. A lot has happened. I find myself in a new job which I really love. I’m engineering and audio book for work right now. We just finished the tracking sessions this past weekend.

Nathan Bennett, a friend from my time in school, who is at the University of South Carolina pursuing a MFA, travelled up to Greenville on three different weekends to do the reading. He did a fantastic job! He is really easy and interesting to listen to. I can’t wait for everyone to hear his performance.

The book is entitled Jack & Inar and was written by my co-worker and friend Cory Godbey. It is the first of three books in this series. This first installment is right at 30,000 words so it was a decent undertaking for our first audio book.

I’ll be editing and in post-production for the next 4 to 6 weeks putting it all together. I am really enjoying this project. I am very thankful to be doing this for a living now after many years of self study on my own to learn a bit about music technology and how things work. Yes, very thankful.

A couple weeks ago the Pulitzer Prizes were announced. The winner in the music category was awarded to “Sound Grammar” by Ornette Coleman. How an unnotated work won for music composition is beyond me. It’s a sound recording from a live concert. It’s too bad for Elliot Goldenthal and Augusta Read Thomas, the runners up, whose works were premiered by the Los Angeles Opera and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra respectively. Must be some recording, I’ll have to get it.

In photography, my other interest, the winner was completely deserving however. The feature photography award went to “Renee C. Byer of the Sacramento Bee for her intimate portrayal of a single mother and her young son as he loses his battle with cancer.” This series of photographs are, in my opinion, very deserving of the award. If you can look through these images and read the captions without being moved then you and I are not alike. These photographs are very powerful and touching. You can’t help but wonder how you would handle such difficult times. I just kind of shake my head.  

For anyone interested, I’ve added a couple PDF’s to my Resources page under Composition. Feel free to download and distribute. I wish I would have had this when I was a student. Back in the day. Wink.

I’m 27 years young today.

I have much for which to be thankful.

Last night Mollie and I were able to attend, with our friend Sharon, Dwight Gustafson’s (my former composition teacher) new Christmas opera entitled Simeon.  It was right at one hour in length, a nice lenght for a new opera. We really enjoyed it. The libretto by David Burke, one of Mollie’s former speech teachers, was outstanding. We had many friends in the cast as well so it was a great time to see them in action again.

yesterday evening we had our first rehearsal for our upcoming Christmas concert at church. it will consist of full orchestra and chorus. it really felt nice to be playing in a group of good musicians. musicians who will only need three rehearsals to put together a subtantial program. we are blessed in that we don’t have to start our Christmas rehearsals in June like some, yes blessed indeed.

it was interesting. one doesn’t feel like a musician unless one is involved. i forgot how much i love playing trombone. how great it can sound when done well. the sweetness of the upper register, the physical nature of its operation. there are few things i enjoy as much.

thankful,
aaron

This evening I attended the first of three concerts commemorating the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth. The series is being presented by the faculty at Bob Jones University. The next two will be held the following two Saturdays from now. I went with my brother Caleb, sister Gracen, and my sister-in-law’s sister Angie.
We heard some really great playing and some funny singing. The highlight for me was Mozart’s Fantasy in C Minor, K. 396, played by my dear friend and professor of music theory, Mark Parker. It was great so see Dr. Parker for the first time since my return to Greenville at the piano. Somehow it seemed fitting. It was especially nice given an accident he sustained to his hand about a year ago which left us wondering if he would ever play the same again. His daughters told me his hand continues to get stronger. He played with wonderful control and sensitivity.

The program was as follows:

Church Sonata in C Major, K.263 . . . (Salzburg, December 1776)
For: Organ, Two Trumpets, Two Violins, and Cello

Wer Hungrig bei der Tafel sitzt . . . (Salzburg, 1779-1780)
For: Solo Baritone (and Piano)

Ach, ich liebte . . . (Vienna, July 1781-May 1782)
From Die Enfuhrung aus dem Serail, K. 384
For: Solo Soprano (and Piano)

Papagena, Papageno . . . (Vienna, July 1791)
From Die Zauberflote, K. 620
For: Soprano, Baritone, and Piano

Fantasy in C Minor, K.396 . . . (Vienna, August or September 1782)
For: Solo Piano

Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, K.452 . . . (Vienna, March 1784)
For: Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, and Piano

Hopefully I’ll be able to get to the next two in the coming weeks. We’ll just have to see what my future schedule looks like. It was a really great concert. It’s nice to listen to a specific composer like this from time to time, and really great to be hearing live music.

Yesterday my friend Wes contacted me and asked if i’d like to attend a recital that evening at the University of South Carolina, located in Columbia, about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Greenville. Mollie was slated to substitute teach so we made arrangements with our friend Sharon to watch the boys while Mollie went to teach. This cleared my schedule and I was able to go, thanks Sharon!

Matt Anderson, a local bass trombonist met up with us and we took off about 5:30.

James Miller is the associate principal trombonist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He’s held the position since 1999. He also teaches at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Evedently had had spent a few days at USC working with the trombone studio, and this recital concluded his time there. I don’t think any of us really expected to hear what we did. Miller is one awesome trombone player. It was really fantastic. We heard articulation like few have, especially orchestral players. He could do it all from the standard literature to improvisation with electronics.

After a few driving tricks from Wes, we returned to Greenville, inspired and perhaps a little depressed, but mainly inspired. It was well worth our effort, and Wes’ German quiz, to be there.