Aspen Clips on YouTube

For any stragglers who may still be catching up on my blog, I wanted to announce that the clips I completed in Aspen are now posted on Youtube. You can view them on my YouTube page, which is linked on the left. They are titled "Heroic Chase Demo" and "Creepy Sci Fi Demo". Hope you enjoy! Thanks again to all you loyal readers!

Farewells and Reflections

So here it is, the last day at Aspen. Tomorrow I get up at the ass crack of dawn to return to the sweltering mess that is New York City. I can't say I am overly thrilled to leave. It has been such a jam-packed five weeks not only with music, but with a plethora of new connections, friendships, and opportunities swinging open at every corner. Even today I have met people for the first time. It makes it very difficult to leave such an environment when you know it will keep going for four more weeks after you're gone. 

Needless to say there have been some emotional moments today, but luckily they have been coupled with some enormously good times. After alot of running around and packing during the day, there was a large gathering at the local dive, Zane's Tavern, which I have to say has some ridiculously good tater tots. Most of you know I am not the biggest fan of bars, but tonight was an exception. We started a table outside and people kept trickling in until a whole mess of us had taken over the patio. We were really able to enjoy each other's company without having to battle a noisy mess, which I really appreciate. I couldn't think of a better way to go out. 

Overall I really did have the time of my life. The opportunities I've had to enhance my career were in themselves reason to go and be thankful for going. But, the people I've met and the friends I've made are what made my experience so supremely memorable. It is those connections that will last a lifetime. Yes, it may be cheesy, but it's true. 

I want to thank all of you who have been faithful readers of my trek to Aspen. It has been such fun blogging to the world. Until my next adventure! 

Showcase

Tonight was the big night. We got to show our finished products on the big screen to the public... well, the public of the Aspen Music Festival. We had a very good crowd and I have to say the whole thing went very well. The composers got up before each of their clips and talked about what they did and how they went about doing it. It is such an interesting thing to see the same two clips scored by five different people.  Our personalities and influences really shone through in our music. Perhaps the most striking thing about this program shone through in our work as a team. As much as the composing was independent, we really did work as a unit. There was no drama, no conflicts, just total support from all ends the entire time. This evening was the perfect culmination of our efforts. Personally, I had a blast. 

Film Composer Pianists?

A funny thing happened on the way to the studio... well, sort of. When we first were given the instrumentation for our Jimmy Neutron cue, we were told that we could use piano. So, three of us incorporated piano into our cue. When the recording engineer arrived he decided that having a piano on stage would present too many recording and logistical problems. So he told us that rather than having the piano on stage we would record without it and lay the piano tracks in later in the studio. Of course this was decided without any thought as who would do this or when they would do it.

Sure enough I and the other two composers get a call late in the day yesterday asking if we would be able to play our own piano parts. Luckily mine was not extensive, so I was happy to do it. In fact, it was kind of fun to be playing again. I even played the part for my fellow composer Nick.

Once that was over, I got to once again sit with the engineer and splice, shift, and polish. I have to say the recordings turned out really well - there was minimal work to be done, which made the engineer very impressed. Now we await our showcase on Monday night!

Mixing

After two supremely successful recording sessions it comes time to buckle into the studio, splice everything together, and make it all sound as good as possible. Today was the first day of two sessions at Great Divide Studios where I sit with the recording engineer and make decisions/comments/requests on how the music sounds and where it needs to fall in relation to the film.

We completed editing the first cue, which I was very pleased with. Definitely learned a few lessons in terms of aleatoric techniques and how to execute/notate them successfully for the musicians. The Aspen Contemporary Ensemble is a great group and really hauls ass when it comes to performing, so really we can be nothing but grateful. I also got the chance to do preliminary editing for Jimmy Neutron, which sounds really fantastic.

Below is a picture of the house in which Great Divide Studios lives. Quite the dump as you can see. ;)

Big Recording

So today was D-day. The day where all of our hard work, sweat, tears, cursing, yelling, screaming, laughing, all manifested itself before our eyes in one 25 minute slot with the biggest group of musicians any of us have had the privilege of working with. It is perhaps the most exhilarating and simultaneously the most vomit-inducing experience one could possibly have. Let me put this into perspective. You toil over this score day and night, proofing everything over and over, taping parts, placing cues, trying your damndest to get everything where it should be, knowing all too well that you are under an impossible deadline that has bound to let a few errors slip by you. At some point you have to let go, hand all the parts in, and kiss your sorry ass goodbye. You show up at the session and this is what you see:

On stage are 45 musicians, all with the parts you spent countless hours working on. When it's your turn, all attention is on you. Each composer has 25 minutes to record their 3 minute cue - nearly no time at all. One shot. No second chances. Now or never. Even the slightest error could be the difference between getting the perfect take or utter garbage. Intense? Yes. Crazy? Yes. Surreal? Most def. One of the most incredibly exciting experiences anyone could ever have? Hells yeah.

Done!

That's right: DONE. Today the parts for our Jimmy Neutron cue were due to the orchestral librarian. That means as of 2pm I was officially done with the hysteria of meeting the all-too-typically impossible film deadlines. I wrote 109 measures of fully orchestrated music (that's three minutes scored for over 35 instruments) in 5 days. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. Yes, I am tired, but more-so I am invigorated and am raring for my next project. I have to say it is really nice to be put in such an intense environment such as this only to discover (and be reminded) that you totally have the chops and the talent to kick frickin ass. 

Ahead of us is our recording session with the giant orchestra on Thursday, July 10, followed by mixing sessions for both our cues, then the final showcase of all our work on Monday, July 14th. I also hope to get a jump start on some concert music for some venues in the fall, including a trio for flute, viola, and  harp for my dear harpist friend Emily John - yay! 

I also would like to announce that I am now officially caught up on my blogging. I think one of the greatest features of this blogger is that you can edit the date and time of your posts. The three below that read Friday, Wednesday, and Tuesday were all posted within the last 24 hours. It's great for me since I can keep my entries date-relevant, but it may prove to be confusing for all you diligent readers who come here on a daily basis and suddenly find that there are three postings from days previous that you SWEAR you didn't see last time you were on. Worry not, you are not having a psychotic break, but rather are just witnessing my catch-up! Cheers! 

Wait, it's the fourth?

So when you have a huge fully-orchestrated score due on a particular day, you don't really notice what day that is - Christmas, your birthday, or in this case, Independence Day. Yes, our final full scores of Jimmy Neutron were due today at noon. Luckily I have been very on top of my writing and had mine done the night before. I spent the morning making some last minute changes, printing, helping out the other guys, and starting on my parts. By the time the afternoon rolled around I was able to regain consciousness to the outside world and partake in some low-key fourth activities. But, it was actually only until I called the local copy shop and listened to their out of office message stating they would be closing at noon on the fourth that I suddenly remembered it was indeed the day... I guess when one is focused... 

I am very lucky to have a lovely posse here in Aspen who, in my compositional exile, rallied together and made plans. Most of you know that I am not the biggest fan of fireworks, but, a group of us decided to plan a picnic and watch Aspen's fireworks show from a grassy knoll in the distance, which I can do. It was a really lovely time with food, fun, and shenanigans. Yay for my Aspen peeps!

Left to right: Casey, David, Aaron (apparently pronounced Earin), Hannah, Jord, Brighton, Courtney, and Molls 

Farewell Jack!

Today we said our goodbyes to Jack Smalley, who really has become a mentor and huge source of inspiration for all of us. Though we do wish he could stick around till we're done with Jimmy Neutron, we certainly have been given a whole lot to work with since he's been with us. I know this sounds like some sappy Hallmark card, but he really is a tremendous individual. I look forward to keeping in touch! 

Left to Right: Gavin, Taras, Jack, Kim, Nick, and yours truly in a very unflattering pose. 

Recording Session

Today we recorded our first cue! woot! It was a little bit of a shit show, but overall it was a fantastic experience with a really rewarding outcome. For those who may have missed it, we recorded at Great Divide Studios here in Aspen, a really stunning location. The guy who owns and operates it, Jamie, along with his staff were very warm and professional. Our players were the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, a really solid bunch of people both musically and personally.

As I noted, there were some shenanigans involved in this session. When we arrived the director of ACE (Sid, who is quite a hoot) informed us that he left his scores in the back seat of his car that his wife was now using to drive about Aspen. So, as Steve and James (the film scoring directors) got on the horn to fix that, we soon realized our bass player wasn't present half an hour after we convened. Unable to get a hold of him, we began frantically calling for someone else. Finally, after much angst, all was resolved. A bass player was contacted and swooped in to our rescue while Sid's wife got the message and delivered the scores.
In the end I was utterly ecstatic with how my cue went. ACE really hauled ass in their performance and Sid lined everything up perfectly on the first take. Bravo! I believe that all the composers were satisfied. The others had to record their cues in chunks due to tempo-change logistics, but I heard a lot of good things and will be anxious to hear how everything turns out. We record our Jimmy Neutron cue on the 10th. After that each of us will return to the studio to mix both cues with the audio engineer and voila - we will have our prize! I will surely be posting the cues once I have them. 

Some studio pics (all swearing and obnoxiousness involving photo uploads still apply):

Rach 3

Yesterday afternoon was the weekly Aspen Festival Orchestra Concert, held at 4pm every Sunday. This week featured the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3, arguably his most famous work. Those of you who have seen the movie Shine (and even those who haven't) are aware of its prestige and almost haunting lure. It is one of my favorites, particularly to see performed live. The soloist was Vladimir Feltsman, who did an impressive job playing the entire 40 minute work from memory. As per usual, I could barely contain myself during the performance. As I looked around the audience I saw that I was not the only one tweaking out. There is something about this work that really grabs listeners, whether they be musicians or not - the excitement is nearly palpable. At the end, the crowd literally jumped to their feet and screamed. It was the first time since my being at the festival that a soloist was coerced into performing an encore (which, in my humble opinion, turned out to be a really stupid little piece). Once again, I was able to enjoy this experience free of charge as part of my being a festival student. Between the concerts, the people, and the composing, I keep fearing that I am going to suddenly wake up from a really fantastic dream. 

I should also report that I am now ass-deep in Jimmy Neutron. I have to say, writing the cue with a huge orchestra at my disposal is nothing short of a blast. It is really intense as we have to get the final scores in on Friday after having only begun to score the cue this past Saturday (right after our first cue was due). I find it utterly exhilarating. 

Finally, I thought you might like to know that a group of us were standing at the bus stop yesterday when randomly a MASSIVE deer (doe) casually walked by us all, crossed the street, and disappeared into the woods. And when I say massive, I mean like you could throw a saddle on its back and ride it home. Apparently the species of deer is known as "mule deer" and is clearly much different than the white-tail variety us northeasterners are accustomed to. Where does the fun end?

And It Goes

Ok so once again a bit of a lag in blog posting, but once again it's because things are super busy and nothing has really changed. All of us continue to work our asses off on our cues every single day. I am pleased to report that I have a final draft of the score for my first cue done. Just some clean up and editing, parts, and it is all done. This is very good considering our next cue (for the huge conducting orchestra) is due a week from Friday. So, until July 5, the madness will continue. The good news is that after that date our work is done, so I will be able to enjoy the last 12 days or so without a huge pile of music on my plate. 

I have to say that as the days go by, the Aspen Music Festival continues to amaze me. It reminds me a lot of St. Michael's - a relatively small number of people living and working together, except of course that all of these people are serious musicians who love what they are doing. I can't tell you how cool it is for me to be surrounded by people who carry numerous instruments, practice no less than 3 hours a day, and who totally geek out over the same stuff that I do. 

I'll close with a little anecdote. Last night I took the 9:45pm bus back to my residence as per usual. I got home and started proofing my score when my friend Molly called me (a violist), immediately came over and we started going through the viola part. During this time, my pianist friend Sophia called me who had been looking at my trio and wanted to talk. So she came over (it is now after 10:30) and we all talked about the trio and getting it performed. After Sophia left, I went with Molly back to her apt where she took out her viola (at 11pm) and played through her part. I then stumbled upon a composer/contemporary musician party in another apartment and hung out there till after midnight. Could this happen anywhere else? I think not.

Special Guest

Ok, so I've been a bad little blogger. It has been four days since my last entry, but that's just because I am very busy and having fun. 

Much to tell. First, I've been working away on my clips and am glad to say I have both of them timed, mapped, and ready for music. My initial worry of having too busy a schedule has been extinguished. Don't get me wrong, there is still a whole lot to do, but the directors of the program have proven to be very sensitive to our needs in terms of composing time. They gave us Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday to get intimate with our cues and compose. Awesome. 

It turns out we do have a very high-profile guest in residence with us here in Aspen for two weeks - Jack Smalley (Charlie's Angels, Murder She Wrote, The Love Boat). If you check out his website, you'll see he is a ridiculously accomplished composer/orchestrator who also happens to be on the faculty of the Film Scoring Program at USC (the most renown, successful, and prestigious program of its kind). Today was our first session with him and I can already vouch for his tremendous character and wealth of knowledge. I can't even fathom what the next two weeks will bring. 

Finally, as a student at the Aspen Music Festival, I get free admission to the plethora of concerts that go on here (at least one per day). Last night I saw the Takács Quartet perform a phenomenal program that included the Piano Quintet in F minor by César Franck, a mind-blowing composition. Afterwards I went with a group of people to New York Pizza, a delicious and affordable little dive downtown. Funny how I had to come to Aspen to experience really great New York pizza... Tonight I will be going to see Joshua Bell perform Ravel's Tzigane (a piece I've not heard) among others with the Aspen Chamber Orchestra. Needless to say, life here in Aspen is good!

And So It Begins!

Today was the official first day of the program. I'm not gonna lie, it is going to be ridiculous. We meet Monday through Saturday, 9am-5pm, with all remaining time used for composing and attempting to enjoy the Aspen experience. I must admit that I'm at this moment a bit divided. On the one hand, the whole reason I came here is to get my ass kicked and be totally submersed. On the other hand I don't want to be some social-less hermit, emerging from my studio only to eat and return to my bed to sleep. The next few days should be telling! 

Our first score is due on June 21st, one week from Friday (!!). We received both of our three-minute clips today. One is from Jimmy Neutron, which we'll score with the large conducting orchestra. The other is from a movie called Greenlight, which is a creepy clip that we'll score with the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble. For those who might be interested, the latter clip will be recorded at the Great Divide Studios. Very chic. 

The outing tonight to the Incredible Hulk was fun, though I think there is still some ice-breaking that needs to happen amongst our group. It's funny, everyone who meets me asks if I'm a singer because I apparently have a strong singer-like personality, i.e. not at all like other composers. I think they are definitely onto something (excluding my ever-fantastic roommate, of course)... 

Finally, a fun anecdote. The director of the program, James, was going over some of the basics of the studio with us today. He informed us that we are not at all allowed to bring any food whatsoever to the studio... Apparently two years ago one of the students was working late and brought some dinner back with him and was cornered by a BEAR, who was clearly in need of a snack. Yikes!!  

Hot Sun

Before I write another word, I must take a minute to introduce someone you've all been waiting to meet. My wonderful, tremendous, superfantastic roommate - Jude: 

Jude is in the composition DMA program at Juilliard. He lives in NYC, but is a native of Texas and has been acquainting me with some of the customs and slang of his homeland. What it do! 

So, it may seem like a silly notion, but at 8,000 feet you are really a whole lot closer to the sun. Though the air temp has been perfect, the sun is very powerful and can burn you just by standing at the bus stop. I definitely got some serious color on my face and arms today. But not to worry, I have invested in sunglasses and sunblock - I am good to go. 

Tomorrow is the Convocation, which, for those of you from St. Michael's, is a term that invokes sheer horror and boredom. According to the Aspen veterans, it is an event where we will be united with all our fellow program comrades. Tomorrow also brings my first session in the Film Scoring Program - woohoo! 

Campus

Main campus is nestled in the woods with a fantastic stream (Castle Creek) running through. Not only is it great to sit and watch, it provides a lovely soundtrack wherever you may be.  The campus extends deeper into the woods where there are isolated practice huts (at least that's what I call them), a bike shop, and the film music studio. Below are some pictures. Loading pictures remains an atrocious task, but worth it. I am going to devote an entry to the film music studio once our sessions start. 

Pond

Practice Huts

Castle Creek Building (classrooms, computer lab)

Welcome to the Aspen Music Festival

First, some fun facts. For those of you who don't know, Aspen is one of America's foremost music festivals with the primary focus being performance. When I attended EAMA in Paris (a life-changing experience) there were approximately 55 students, nearly all of them composers. Aspen hosts over 700 students, the majority of them performers spread out over five orchestras, countless chamber groups, The American Academy of Conducting, Opera Studio, Composition, and Film Scoring, all with a built-in myriad of opportunities for performance, group coachings, solos, and private study with some of the foremost figures in music today. It really is an incredible operation.

Students are spread out over three different residential complexes, all of which are used primarily for housing skiiers in the winter. As many of you might have guessed, Aspen is most definitely a ski town - the first snow falls at the beginning of October and stays until May. Pitkin county (encompassing Aspen and Snowmass Village) has a full time population of 15,000 that swells to over 25,000 during its peak in the winter. We are lucky to be here in the off-season, where the main attraction is  (aside from the music festival) the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, a three day festival for which a standard pass costs $1150. ha!

I live in a residence call Burlingame. When I walk out my door, this is what I see:

The complex consists of little quads like this:

where at any point during the day you can walk around and hear the sounds of cellos, flutes, trumpets, oboes, etc, being practiced. It is really sublime.

Next entry I'll reveal pictures of the main campus and (hopefully) the film scoring studio. I would put them in this entry, but the internet is really bad in my residence, making uploading pictures a royal pain in the ass. Besides, I want you to keep coming back! :) 

Winter Festival?

So the weather here in Aspen has been unseasonably cold. Yesterday the high barely broke 50, which was considerably decreased with the wind chill. In fact, as I waited in line to register it began to flurry... yes, SNOW flurry. I daresay that the majority of the students here (even the returners) are unprepared for such a low. But I must say, after escaping the inferno that was New York City, I most certainly welcome it. Today is picture perfect with blue skies and the high just barely 70.

Today I found the film music studio and met the assistant who was busy setting up all the equipment. One of his jobs is to sit in the studio and assist us with all our technological issues, which, as many of you know, I have many. Needless to say, I am very pumped.

Our first "class" will be on Monday. We'll be meeting in the studio at 3pm, talking shop, then as a group we'll see The Incredible Hulk and discuss the score over dinner afterwards. Not too shabby!

I have been collecting some fantastic pictures to share, but unfortunately the internet is still being fixed in my residence. It should be up and running soon, so look out for my next entry, which will be an introduction to the school, scenery, and my residence, all with photos!

I have arrived

So, after listening to some shmuck in the seat behind me snore relentlessly for four hours, then taking a connection flight on a plane roughly the size of my Saturn, I arrived safely in Aspen at the most adorable airport I've ever seen (yes, even cuter than Burlington). Not wasting any time, I started talking to people while waiting for the shuttle bus and made three friends who live in my housing complex. Not a bad start ;) Here are two of them (Gina and Rich): 

Since I didn't actually get to Aspen until 10:30pm, all of the scenery remained a mystery to me until I woke up this morning and looked out my window. Everywhere you turn there is yet another breathtaking view involving snow-capped mountains, rustling streams, and lush forest. The short bus ride from my residence to campus alone is enough to take a camera full of pictures. Here is just one: 

I went "downtown" this morning and discovered that Aspen is indeed an upscale resort town. Its streets are filled with stores like Gucci, Prada, and Burberry, but luckily it is not without its affordable local haunts. I had the most fabulous blueberry bran pancakes at a place called The Weinerstube (?). Most of you know I am a huge fan of good food, so rest assured there will be plenty more restaurant reviews to come.

Lastly, I have to say that what everyone says about "adjusting to the altitude" is most definitely true. Aspen is at 8,000 feet and let me tell you, you can feel it. I pretty much feel drunk most of the time (as do my friends), which is for me not ideal, but it certainly keeps things interesting. Lots of water and taking it slow until the body adjusts hopefully in a few days.

As of right now I am working on getting internet in my room so I can upload pictures. I will post entry-relevant pics as I'm able, so check back. I think I'm gonna like this blogging crap!

Right now it's off to register and figure out what the hell I'll actually be doing here. :-D

Intro and Disclaimer

Greetings, everyone! Welcome to the inaugural entry of the "Dave Does Aspen" blog. Just in case you have somehow fallen outside the radar of my excited blather of the past several months, I am attending the Aspen Music Festival this summer to study at their film scoring program - a huge exciting deal for someone in my shoes! To keep interested parties up to date on my adventures (or lack thereof) in Aspen, I have decided to open up this blog. It is indeed my virginal blog experience!

I should note that I am historically a horrendous journal-keeper, which is why I have only just now christened my internet-blogging ship. I resolve to do my damndest to keep this one going. At the very least I will post fun pics with witty comments!

I depart on Wednesday, June 11th, so until then we can all wait in heightened anticipation for my first entry in Aspen!