Christopher Rouse

Good evening and welcome, friends! You may be wondering "why he is saying 'good evening' when in fact it's still afternoon?" Well, it's evening somewhere in the world...so ha!

Last week [incidentally, I haven't had a chance to update since then], I was given to incredible opportunity to be a driver for CHRISTOPHER ROUSE, the remarkable and famous contemporary composer. He was with us here at the Music School for two days for a concert of his new [and only] piece for wind ensemble, "Wolf Rounds." We had a discussion with him over coffee on Thursday, and Friday he came and presented two new compositions of his at our weekly composition seminar: "Concerto for Orchestra," and "Friandises," both of which will be released on Naxos recordings by year end or so. CHECK THEM OUT!!! Anyway, the composition department is the "host" for these sort of guests (any sort of composer or conductor/musician that is playing a faculty composer's work here) and thus the students are given the opportunity to drive these distinguished guest artists around (to save them time, money, and to get us some one-on-one time). It is, in fact, how UM Professor Michael Daugherty got his 'big break,' by driving for David Zinman here at UM. How cool is that?

So, in conclusion. Let me just say this...I HAD CHRIS ROUSE IN MY FRICKING CAR!!! HOW AWESOME!!!

I told Chris, "Nobody back home is gonna believe me." He laughed. Touché, Chris...touché.

Oh, and for those who you who don't know who Chris Rouse is...Google him, check out his website, and just kind of let your jaw drop when you see his accolades and awards.

For those of you who think composition can be taught, take it from the great master...Chris believe's composition is mostly intuitive. So there we go. He said it, and I agree with him 100%.

Well, I hope this makes you all jealous. Contact Boosey and Hawkes Music if you are interested in programming Chris' works.

Some personal updates (for those of who you made it this far):

I am applying for the following awards this winter...

• ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Prize for original works requiring conductor (Fall 2008)
  
• Luna Nova Ensemble New Music Student Composition Competition (Winter 2009)
  
• IMEA SGM All-State Composition Competition (Fall/Winter 2008)****
  
• Sam Houston State University School of Music Percussion Ensemble Composition Contest (Winter 2008)
  
• ASCAP's Art Song competition (Spring/Summer 2009)
• ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Competition (Winter 2009)+
  
• ASCAP Plus Awards 2009 (Summer 2009)*
  
• any others that arise...

* denotes a competition that I've won in the past (number of asterisks denotes number of wins)
+ denotes a competition that I've been a finalist in the past

So, hopefully I can manage to nab a few and get some performances and maybe even a little cash. I'll keep y'all updated.

That's all folks!