A Summer of Song -
8/16/2011 9:41:41 AM
I always enjoy the many music conferences I participate in each
year.
Connecting with other musicians inspires me and hearing the new
compositions
is a thrill I never get used to. I have been involved with over
a dozen so
far this summer and I still have a few to go. There is no teacher
like a
room full of choral conductors looking for resources for their choirs,
It's
a little scary at times but I love every minute of it!
It was
my 20 year anniversary at a conference called Music in the Mountains
which
takes place every year in the Pocono Mountains, Established by
famous
conductor Fred Waring these summer workshops are now devoted to
showcasing
the new music published by Shawnee Press. The first part of the
week is
devoted to school publications and then the church musicians gather
for
their experience. I remember my first Music in the Mountains and
my
excitement at being invited by the late Director of Sacred Publications,
Lew
Kirby to present my new music and to perform a mini-piano concert. Lew is
in
large part responsible for this career in music I now enjoy and I miss
his
sage wisdom and the joyful spirit he brought to his work. When I think
of
the thousands of anthems he edited, recorded and published during his
tenure
I think his life truly was a song well sung.
Now 20 years
later I get to host the event he helped begin and I am trying
my best to fill
this role as director. Sometimes I drive past his house
near the university
and remember all the wonderful times we spent together.
Sometimes I go back
and read some of his correspondences to me and remember
his encouragement.
His letters accepting some of my most known anthems and
his words of
affirmation are treasures to me. I miss that sense of having
pleased him
with my work since I so respected his opinions and
musical
standards.
Lew and my frequent collaborator J. Paul Williams
were always there to
understand and encourage my creative process and give
authentic feedback
that really made a difference in my work. Paul would
often sit up for hours
as I composed intently listening to me set his words.
He loved writing and
it animated him like nothing else. His slap on the
back meant "something" and
I always wanted to do my best when I set one his
lyrics. His energy for
excellence was boundless and I m a better writer
today because of his
creative partnership.
Today I am flying to
Orlando to record a whole new crop of music for Shawnee
Press and as look out
over the clouds my spirit soars with thanksgiving for
two great men who
encouraged me with their life song!
Soli Deo Gloria!
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The Time For Singing Has Come -
5/2/2011 11:39:46 AM
Friends,
Now that the alleluias of Easter have sounded I hope you find yourself happy and inspired by the life-affirming message of this season. I appreciate all of the many E-mails and Facebook notes that folks have sent me. Knowing that my cantatas and anthems were part of your celebration is such an affirming thought. Thank you for your kindness.
My travel schedule have been very intense and diverse these past several months. ACDA in Chicago, CMPA in Tuscan, Houston, Nashville, Knoxville, Baton Ridge, San Francisco, Yosemite, Los Angeles and Kansas City. I am really racking up those frequent flyer miles. These events were all amazing in their own way and I enjoyed everyone of them. However,none of them compare to accompanying for my daughter Aubrey's vocal solo audition for her senior Spring Review. It may be hard for you to believe but this was the first time I had ever heard my daughter's beautiful solo voice. She has always been shy about singing in front of me and so I was totally unprepared to discover how amazing her voice was. Playing for her was a great experience that I will always treasure. Sharing this moment with Aubrey and hearing the sound of her song, strong, confident and expressive... well it' doesn't get much better than that!
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Music! Music! Music! -
2/20/2011 10:56:19 AM
Friends,
I have just finished a month of recording for the new Fall releases for Shawnee Press. This time is very rewarding for me as I get to work with some of our nations finest singers and instrumentalists.
The process begins with me laying down the piano tracks in my studio in Austin, Texas. This acts as a musical template for the rest of the recording process. Then we begin to layer on obligato instruments, percussion, electronic sweeteners and of course voices in our Orlando recording facilities. Lastly, we added a full orchestra to the mix on my new Christmas cantata and several selected octavos. We are now in the mix and post production stage of the process. Michael Hurley, our chief sound engineer, is hard at work mastering the recordings and getting them ready to assemble into our national promotion, "WORSHIPSONGS".
While all of this being done I am preparing the advertising copy and all of the visual aspects of producing our Shawnee Fall/Christmas release. James Barnard is the energy and brains behind this important aspect of the publishing journey. He makes sure the engravings and covers are prepared properly and print-ready. He and his talented staff make sure all the dots and dashes of each piece are as they should be. He is also the keeper of the schedule making sure we are meeting the deadlines so vital to stay competitive in the marketplace.
In addition to the cantata there were over 60 new choral anthems and several multi-composer piano collections. I was especially excited to work on the demo recordings of "Heartsongs" a song cycle for young voices based on the poetry of Mattie Stepanek. Mattie died of a rare form of Leukemia but through his best-selling books of poetry and his personal appearances on Oprah, Larry King and his association with the Jerry Lewis Telethon he became and inspiration to millions. The premier of this work in Carnegie Hall was truly a night to remember. I am very excited for the release of this new work sometime later this Spring. I will keep you posted about performances around the country as this work is unveiled. Steve Roddy and the Houston Children's Chorus commissioned the work through a Mayor's grant for the City of Houston and they are performing "Heartsongs" this Spring and are planning a European premier sometime in 2012.
Thanks for visiting my new website.
Let Music Live!
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New music and old friends -
1/21/2011 10:08:53 PM
Friends,
This week I have been busy recording piano accompaniments in my home studio. This is always a very intense yet enjoyable time as I add the last editorial touches on to all of the music that folks will see in our Fall release at Shawnee Press. I enjoy working with other writer's creative efforts and this week I have played music by Brad Nix, John Purifoy, Ruth Schram, David Schwoebel, Vicki Tucker Courtney, David Lantz and many others. This is the first step in making the publisher demos that many directors use to choose their music. Next we will layer on voices and orchestra, and lots of other elements to "sweeten" the recordings.
I was sad to miss the Music Atlanta Reading Session but I helped provide music for a dear friend's funeral. Thank you Scott Revo for filling in for me at the last moment. I was greatly encouraged by the notes I received from some of the participants in the conference. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
The funeral services were held at my former church and I was able to speak to many of the folks who were part of my early ministry. Celebrating the life of this special friend reminded me how important it is to treasure each precious moment we are given. It also caused me to reflect on how blessed I am to have such a great circle of friends.
Treasure each moment
Live everyday
Drink from the cup that God fills with His grace.
In sorrow and laughter
Joy and in strife
Treasure each moment of life.
... from "Treasure Each Moment"
© 2003, Malcolm Music/Shawnee Press
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Welcome to the NEW martin88.com! -
12/30/2010 4:29:23 PM
Dear friends,
It is perfect timing that I launch my updated website as we celebrate the beginning of a new year. We hope that the fresh features at www.martin88.com will help you connect with the resources you are looking for. Access this blog for news and event information about my activities as a composer and performer. I look forward to sharing with you my musical journey and connecting with my many friends in this unique way. As we look beyond the manger and begin our planning for Spring I would love to share with you my new Lenten cantata Whispers of the Passion.
In this work the silent witnesses to the last days of Christ speak in 5 soliloquies that testify to the timeless message of grace. These monologues are followed by expressive musical moments that present new anthems as well as traditional Lenten hymns. This work, designed primarily for Holy Week performance incorporates simple symbols, (Palms, Chalice, Robe, Crown of Thorns and Cross) to be presented as the work unfolds.
Thanks for visiting my website. I appreciate your support and encouragement. I pray your new year will be filled with glorious music!
Happy scales to you!
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