Studio session video

Just spent a day in the studio working on the new record with Daniel Smith, electric guitarist. Here is some of the magic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dax8qnJvyTc

Noel

A couple years ago I did a little tinkering with "The First Noel". It has always been one of my favorite carols. I changed the melody, messed with the rhythm, went modal. Then added 2 violins and a cello, tom drum and shaker, and performed it with a bunch of friends at Christmas time. Audiences seemed to like it, and I've always thought I should do something more with it. Maybe find some different poetry so I could play it year round. Maybe record it as a holiday single. Or maybe re-score it for choir?

I have the privilege of being the accompanist for an incredible choir, the Oregon Repertory Singers. So in many hours spent with make-me-crazy Finale computer software, I set "Noel" for choir, and hoped it would be good enough for them. And this Christmas, ORS is singing the "world premier" of my piece.

Last week we rehearsed it for the first time. To hear 60+ singers sing something I wrote was truly exhilarating. It sounded so much better than me plunking out the parts at home on my piano. I did my best to hold myself together, while I improvised my part. I'll probably write something for the piano eventually, so other choirs can perform it. But for now it's my little gift to ORS, and their gift to me in singing it. Thank you ORS!