Tampa Bay Flute Choir Concert upcoming on May 22 at 3pm

The Tampa Bay Flute Choir will be performing my arrangement of Armed Forces Salute in about a month.

Their concert takes place at the Allendale United Methodist Church of St. Petersburg on Sunday May 22, 2016 at 3pm. Reception with tasty food to follow the concert. From what I understand, admission is free too!

Here's the full concert program:

The Mayflower Suite, by Catherine McMichael
Cross the Wide Missouri, by Kelly Via
The Appalachian Suite, by Kelly Via
Civil War Suite, arranged by Nancy W. Wood
Armed Forces Salute, arranged by Erin Huelskamp
America The Beautiful, arranged by Kelly Via

10 Block Walk Scene 7 Complete

Yesterday, I sent a fresh copy of Scene 7 from my second opera The Ten-Block Walk over to the librettist, Christie Lee Gibson. This is the fun part of the process. I like sharing the new scenes with Christie and hearing her feedback. There are always bits to change and improve, and, this time, I am especially eager to have a singer and pianist take a look at it.

I wrote the movement in a sort of short score fully understanding that no single pianist in the world could play all the parts. After reducing the score down for piano and voice, I am interested to see the elements that come through in the reduction. More on that soon...

In this scene, the Old Woman walks by a graveyard, and she ponders her remaining time on earth. It's a little dark but also uplifting, and I think the music reflects those emotions.

Here's a small sample:

Juventas 10 Years Celebration Video

Check it out. I made a video with a slide show celebrating Juventas and their success in making it as a professional ensemble for 10 years! Comment if you like it. Thanks!

New Arrangement of Armed Forces Salute for Tampa Bay Flute Choir

Last week, I finished a new arrangement for flute choir. Armed Forces Salute, originally for concert band, is now available for flute ensemble as well as a version for flute ensemble plus percussion.

The Tampa Bay Flute Choir requested the arrangement, and they will perform it in their upcoming concert on May 22, 2016. More soon on the details of the concert.

Here is the first page of the original score:

And here is a one-page sample of the arrangement I made:

I hope to see you at the concert!

Connecting in Florida

Last month, we relocated to St. Petersburg, FL. If you happen to be nearby, please reach out! Can't wait to see you in the sunshine state.

Ten-Block Walk opens tonight (6/21) and in the Boston Globe

Tonight's the night! The Ten-Block Walk opens with Facing Down Death, a collaboration between OperaHub and the Fort Point Theatre Channel. AND there's an article in the Boston Globe highlighting the event. Here's an excerpt:

Those with even a cursory knowledge of operas know that death looms large in many of them. Yet an upcoming program by the innovative company OperaHub called “Facing Down Death” offers a pairing of works that tackle the subject in unusual ways. 

First up are excerpts from “The Ten-Block Walk,” a work in progress by local composer Erin Huelskamp and librettist Christie Lee Gibson, OperaHub’s current director. The opera follows an elderly woman, Mrs. Otis, on a walk from her home to a local senior center. Her encounters along the way — with panhandlers, students, a Dunkin’ Donuts worker — bring out her anxieties, about other people, about aging, about death. The second half of the bill is Erik Satie’s “Socrate,” which tells the story of the death of Socrates with music of astonishing placidity. Both works will be done with piano accompaniment.

Read the article here. Don't forget to reserve your tickets too. From what I hear, Friday and Sunday have already sold out! 

June 21-23, 2013, 8:00 pm
Fort Point Theatre Channel
10 Channel Center Street
Boston

FREE ADMISSION!

Reserve tickets here

Review #2: “The Magic Mirror”: Window Into Another World

The Magic Mirror review #2. Here's some quotes:

The Magic Mirror succeeds, most of all, in elegance. Characters move through a sumptuous world, wandering along whirls of purple and blue on the floor, moving through dark woods and bright cottages.

Also:

Still, it’s a beautiful show. The contemporary instrumentals...define a world of sharp edges and deadly consequences. The Magic Mirror unfolds like an eerie dream...always mesmerizing for the audience.

Read the full review here:

“The Magic Mirror”: Window Into Another World