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Showing posts from September, 2015

How to Write an Opera in the Digital Age: Production Tips

Young Dishes Opera at TEDxBuffalo How to Write an Opera in the Digital Age When we think about how to write an opera, what often comes to mind is a large scale traditional opera on an immense theatrical stage employing dozens, if not a hundred, singers, musicians, costumer designers, stagehands, theater personnel, a publicist, and more.  Writing an opera in the 21st century has greatly evolved with the changes in technology. Specifically social media, Internet downloads, video hosting sites like Youtube, smartphones and even changes in basic coding has allowed today's opera composers to truly write great operas without the cost and complexities of a traditional stage opera.  Composer Sabrina Pena Young Discusses Online Opera Production at TEDxBuffalo As a composer, I still prefer live performance and the grandiose splendor of a live theatrical production . However, with economic and social barriers that have limited my access (and many contemporary composers')

NEW Composer Boot Camp 101: New Online Course - DISCOUNT CODE!

About Composer Boot Camp 101 PROFESSIONAL COMPOSER COACHING PERSONALIZED FOR YOU! USE SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE to get 40% OFF: COMPNERD Have you ever wanted affordable music coaching to help you with your writing and arranging skills that is customized  to your individual strengths and weaknesses? SIGN UP FOR COMPOSER BOOT CAMP 101 NOW! In this self-paced composer intensive for musicians, educators,   students,  and composers/songwriters , you will undergo a challenging course that will stretch your current musical talents by working on developing a musical theme , learning how to arrange in several different styles, prepare and perform a work, create a legible score and parts, develop musical form , and work on orchestration and experimentation, all under the personal mentorship and direction of award-winning Composer S. Peña Young. This course will be individualized based on your current skills, interests, and ideas. I WILL HELP YOU REGARDLESS OF YOUR CURRE

About the Visual Music Work Metamorph

Metamorph was composed entirely on the Malletkat (a MIDI controller set up like a percussion mallet instrument). The piece was originally created for a live performer on electronic keyboard , tape, and video. After some tweaking, Metamorph was able to stand alone as a tape piece. I love using the Malletkat for composition . I got mine from legendary composer Pauline Oliveros when I was interning with the Deep Listening Gallery in Kingston, New York three years ago. The video for this work was created by an above shot of my body in a large bean bag in my New York apartment. By applying some difference filters, mirror effects, and some overlay, I was able to create this semblance of a creature coming to life. It was a similar technique to the piece, MNEO, that I created with Tampa -based composer Seth Keith. Related articles Hopscotch 2015: With experimental music, Hopscotch has grown more deliberate Soothe your soul with 'Panoramical,' a game of mus

Academic Insider: 3 Secret Tips on How to Pass Your Online Class

Passing Your Online Class is Easier Than You Think! Passing your online classroom may seem impossible as you balance work, family and schoolwork. As an educator in higher education for over a decade and an online instructor who regularly teaches hundreds of students a year, I have seen what separates students who pass classes from those that do not, and it won't be the answers that you think. Passing your online class is less about who had the highest SAT score in high school, who has the highest IQ or who writes the best five paragraph essay. Follow these simple secrets and you will be heads and shoulders above your classmates! The Key to Online Success is Time Management Believe it or not, I have seen more students fail a class because of poor time management than because of any other reason. Students mistakenly think that an online classroom is easy to pass because you do not have to go to class. However, that means that instead of being forced to spend a sev

Astoria Big Band Raises funds for NEW YORK Concert with GoFundMe

Astoria Big Band Raises funds for NEW YORK Concert with GoFundMe From Director Carol Sudhalter : "I'm a saxophonist and flautist and the founder of the 16-piece Astoria Big Band. I also have my own quartet. I was awarded a grant from the NEW YORK WOMEN COMPOSERS, INC to play works by their wonderful composers! The concert will take place November 22 at Steinway Reformed Church in Astoria, Queens . In addition to music by the New York Women Composers, Inc. I will play several of my own original tunes.  This grant is what is called ‘seed money’.  It’s not nearly enough to pay for everything that makes a great concert: the band (piano, bass, drums, 2 vocalists and myself), rehearsals, publicity,  promotion, donation to the church, a sound person, a printed program and  audio and video recording." CLICK HERE TO HELP THE ASTORIA BIG BAND Related articles Downtown Bonita Springs Riverside Park 2015 -16 Schedule of Events The Souljazz Orchestra: Resistance revie

Libertaria: The Virtual Opera Presented at Opera America NYC November 4th

Libertaria: The Virtual Opera Presented at Opera America NYC November 4th WEDNESDAY  NOVEMBER 4  –  7pm   Aviva Players & Bank Street Films present:  A Double Feature of Chamber Opera Films  Travel to the Romantic Past of 1816 in Mira J Spektor’s VILLA DIODATI   & to the Future with Sci-Fi Virtual Reality in Sabrina Pena Young’s LIBERTARIA The Aviva Players , an acclaimed chamber ensemble,   was founded in 1975 by Artistic Director Mira J. Spektor   to   research, present and perform the rich repertoire of Chamber Music and Songs by Women Composers of the 12th to 21st Centuries. The  Aviva  ensemble has been heard in concert halls, churches, temples and universities in New York City , the tri-state area and Palm Beach, FL, and has produced three half-hour TV documentaries on Women Composers—shown frequently on Cable TV. Related articles 2015 San Francisco Opera's opening gala 1st Opera Festival to kick-off in Thessaloniki This Opera Singer Ch