It looks like my new piece "Maharaja" is really taking off! I've already found a few concert videos on YouTube and I think this one is the best. It's just a little too fast, but the intonation and rhythms are flawless and check out the bass player's fancy German bow grip! I also like that the Violin II player is really getting into the groove of those finger snaps at 1:40.
Anyway, please to enjoy the Encore Strings of East Lansing, Michigan in their Fall 2011 concert:
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Doug Spata Program Notes
There's a new thing on the bar to the right!
I have a lot of people ask me for specific information about my music, so I've started a new page on this blog for program notes. The idea is that the new page will serve as a database for each of my published pieces, with a brief program note, information on keys, publication dates (since that's apparently a hot search item for some of my music), and links so you can listen, download, and buy each piece from the Alfred Publishing Web sites.
It's only just started and I have a long way to go, but check back occasionally for additional titles!
I have a lot of people ask me for specific information about my music, so I've started a new page on this blog for program notes. The idea is that the new page will serve as a database for each of my published pieces, with a brief program note, information on keys, publication dates (since that's apparently a hot search item for some of my music), and links so you can listen, download, and buy each piece from the Alfred Publishing Web sites.
It's only just started and I have a long way to go, but check back occasionally for additional titles!
Monday, October 24, 2011
North Pole Workshop Tutorials
Dr. Patrick Murphy, orchestra director at Tecumseh Junior High and Jefferson High School in Laffayette, Indiana has set up a wonderful YouTube channel for his students and, having stumbled across it recently, I feel compelled to share. In his videos, Dr. Murphy demonstrates and guides students through the music part by part, so they can practice along with him at home. It's a brilliant use of the technology and I'm honored that he took time to make videos for my own North Pole Workshop.
Way to go, Doc! I really hope that your students, their parents, and the school administration appreciate all the hard work and creativity that went into this project!
First Violin
Second Violin
Viola
'Cello
Bass
Way to go, Doc! I really hope that your students, their parents, and the school administration appreciate all the hard work and creativity that went into this project!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Proofing
Three of the publishing schedule's landmarks wend by in quick succession recently. About a week ago, I got my copies of this year's new music, a few days ago I got my contract addendum from Alfred Publishing, and yesterday I got the proofs for next year's music.
When I get proofs, they send the score that I submitted, marked up in red pen with all sorts of corrections and editions and then I check that against the engravings of the score and parts to make sure there are no errors. When I say "marked up in red pen" it sounds bad, like they're correcting my homework or re-writing my music, but it's not like that at all. My editors like to be a lot more specific with bowings than I am, adding upbow, downbow, and lift marks. They like to be very precise about placing dynamics and articulations and they don't share my enthusiasm for double bar lines. But I'm all for being as specific as possible, so their changes are good ones. The only corrections I found were two wrong notes in the Viola part of Beale Street Strut.
Funny story about getting my copies of this year's finished music: I usually have about three pieces published each year and they send me two copies of each in a small box. This year I found a giant, heavy box on my doorstep. I opened it up and discovered someone had mixed up their Douglas E's - I had received the shipment intended for Alfred/Belwin composer Douglas E. Wagner. I checked the shipping label and, sure enough: his name, my address. I contacted Alfred and we sorted it out. No word if Mr. Wagner got my music by accident.
When I get proofs, they send the score that I submitted, marked up in red pen with all sorts of corrections and editions and then I check that against the engravings of the score and parts to make sure there are no errors. When I say "marked up in red pen" it sounds bad, like they're correcting my homework or re-writing my music, but it's not like that at all. My editors like to be a lot more specific with bowings than I am, adding upbow, downbow, and lift marks. They like to be very precise about placing dynamics and articulations and they don't share my enthusiasm for double bar lines. But I'm all for being as specific as possible, so their changes are good ones. The only corrections I found were two wrong notes in the Viola part of Beale Street Strut.
Funny story about getting my copies of this year's finished music: I usually have about three pieces published each year and they send me two copies of each in a small box. This year I found a giant, heavy box on my doorstep. I opened it up and discovered someone had mixed up their Douglas E's - I had received the shipment intended for Alfred/Belwin composer Douglas E. Wagner. I checked the shipping label and, sure enough: his name, my address. I contacted Alfred and we sorted it out. No word if Mr. Wagner got my music by accident.
Friday, August 19, 2011
YouTube Concert
I thought I'd assemble a little YouTube concert from some recent videos of my music. Up first is the Crews Middle School 7th Grade orchestra playing Lemon Twist:
Nice job! Very precise playing, a good laid-back tempo, and I like those sharp uniforms! Up next is the String Orchestra of the Community Music School at Webster University in St. Louis playing A Postcard From Tuscany.
A good sense of style on this one and it's good to see young players take their time with a more lyrical piece. Next is the Monarch 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra, appropriately playing Las Mariposas Exoticas:
This is one of those pieces with interlocking parts, where the whole orchestra works as one and I think they did a pretty good job of keeping it together. They also did a nice job giving the piece the "lightness" it requires. Let's finish with a classic. Here's the Wilson Middle School Orchestra playing Gauntlet:
Nicely done! Bravi to all the orchestras!
Nice job! Very precise playing, a good laid-back tempo, and I like those sharp uniforms! Up next is the String Orchestra of the Community Music School at Webster University in St. Louis playing A Postcard From Tuscany.
A good sense of style on this one and it's good to see young players take their time with a more lyrical piece. Next is the Monarch 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra, appropriately playing Las Mariposas Exoticas:
This is one of those pieces with interlocking parts, where the whole orchestra works as one and I think they did a pretty good job of keeping it together. They also did a nice job giving the piece the "lightness" it requires. Let's finish with a classic. Here's the Wilson Middle School Orchestra playing Gauntlet:
Nicely done! Bravi to all the orchestras!
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