Archive for the ‘Music’ Category
Sunday, October 25th, 2009
Hello all. We’re now at the halfway point in the semester, and things are moving fast. Just a couple items of interest coming up to inform you of…
First, next week I will be releasing a brand new hymn right here on my website. Actually, a new tune and harmonization for an old text. It’s a hymn of triumph that will be fitting with the celebration of Reformation Day and the 500 anniversary of the birth of John Calvin.
Second, I’m excited to be going on tour with the BJU Chorale to New England and surrounding areas November 2nd-9th. We’ll be making stops in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. Those interested in keeping tabs on the Chorale can follow their twitter feed and http://twitter.com/bju_chorale.
Third, I have a commission to announce. I have been given the opportunity to write incidental music for a sacred drama which is to be performed in April at Northland International University in Dunbar, WI. The music will consist of about 5-10 minutes of music for in between scenes and also some background music during the scenes.
Fourthly, my website will soon receive a little bit of an overhaul. I am currently working on a new design which is nearing completion. If time permits, I hope to have it up by the end of the semester.
Lastly, if you’ve not yet seen, my teacher, Dan Forrest, has recently released a CD recording of many of his concert choral works entitled “Arise, Shine!” It is a great CD compiled from various recordings of concerts done on campus featuring the BJU Chorale and combined choirs. I’m even on a couple of the tracks. More information and links to purchase this album can be found on his website – www.danforrest.com.
Sunday, September 13th, 2009
A new school year is underway, so here’s a little update on what I’m up to these days. My new line of study for my Master’s degree is a M.Mus in Church Music, Composition Principal. This semester, I have 9 credits:
- Orchestration
- Research & Writing in Music
- Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis
- Private Composition (w/ Dan Forrest)
- Private Piano (w/ Mark Parker, my teacher from undergrad)
- Music Group credit (BJU Chorale)
As always, there are new things happening on the composition front. I have a piece or two that I’m working on presently. But for the most part, this year I’ll be doing a lot of composition exercises and such with Dr. Forrest. Next year I will begin composing all the pieces for my graduate recital (spring semester of 2011).
The Chorale is also going to be quite busy this year. We’ll be singing in campus church a few times, singing in the Vespers program Sept. 20th, performing a couple selections by Mendelssohn as a part of a faculty recital series in October, helping with a Craig Courtney reading session in October, going on tour to New England in November, and performing the Messiah (3 times) at Christmas. That’s busy enough to rule out having a regular concert of our own this semester.
My job on campus as part of my GA program is with Web Technologies. Essentially, there are four of us responsible for maintaining applications, forms, and the like on BJU.edu and the BJU Intranet. I spend most of my time at work programming applications and doing security and performance upgrades on previously existing applications. I’ve gotten to work with people from various departments on campus – Human Resources, BJU Elementary, the School of Fine Arts, Office of Student Services, and many others.
This semester will be stretching in more ways than one, but also should prove to be academically enriching as well. I’m most excited about the opportunity to (finally) have an outlet for my compositional efforts. Previously, it was just something I would do on the side with the sporadic moments of free time I would have, but now it’s my major. I’m excited… and only slightly overwhelmed at this point. 
P.S. I have found myself updating my blog less and less as time goes on. If you’re really interested in keeping tabs on me, I encourage you to follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/peteranglea). I update that almost daily – and often more than once per day.
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
When Melody and Guillaume asked me to write an original piece for their wedding processional, I was excited and eager to do so for a number of reasons. For one thing, she is my sister, after all! Also, how many aspiring composers get the chance to write a piece for somebody actually named Melody? So, while this was a unique opportunity for me, at the same time it also presented me with a unique challenge: how on earth am I supposed to write a melody for Melody with enough musical significance to match the height of emotions present on the most important day of her life? The more I thought about it, the more I decided to that the best way to write this piece was to have Melody and Guillaume do the bulk of the writing for me. Yes, that’s right. In fact, without even trying, they had already done most of the grunt work for me on this composition. Ok, maybe that’s a little misleading, but let me explain… (more…)
Saturday, May 23rd, 2009
This is actually a first for me. I have posted a recent recording of my sacred SATB choral anthem, I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, on my music page. This recording was made back on May 5th at the annual student composition recital at Bob Jones University which I was a part of. The recording features the BJU Chorale (Warren Cook directing) and yours truly at the piano. I think it came out really, really nicely (considering they read through it only once for about 10 mins. just prior to the recital) Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
Every now and then, I pick up new music from iTunes or have CDs gifted to me. Here’s some of my newest additions to my music library that I’m really enjoying presently. (more…)
Saturday, April 25th, 2009
Come and support new, original music from rising composers next Tuesday, May 5th at 5pm in War Memorial Chapel. There will be works performed by 9 current BJU undergrad and grad students (including myself!) – students of Dan Forrest and Joan Pinkston. The only drawback is that it is during exam week. But you’ll probably need a break from your cramming and studying, so make plans to come to a recital you won’t regret going to.
Thursday, April 16th, 2009
Come hear my choir – the BJU Concert Choir – Friday night (tomorrow!) at 7pm in War Memorial Chapel. We’ll be performing a delightful program of “sleep” music. The title of the concert is “What Dreams May Come.” Works include:
- Slumber Time – Norman Luboff
- O Schone Nacht – Brahms
- Soneto de la Noche – Morten Lauridsen
- Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening – Randall Thompson
- Sleep – Eric Whitacre
- Seal Lullaby – Eric Whitacre
- Much more…
Can you think of a better way to start your weekend? I submit that you can not.
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
In preparation for my grad degree in composition, I decided it was time to look around for a MIDI keyboard to make notation a bit easier for myself. So my parents and I started scouting the web and found a terrific deal on eBay.
Here it is. My new M-Audio KeyStudio 49i, complete with Pro Tools M Powered 8!! Needless to say, I didn’t get any homework done this afternoon after I picked it up from the post office. Normally this keyboard doesn’t ship with Pro Tools – you have to buy it separately (about $300 from m-audio’s website). But we were able to get the keyboard I wanted with the software just “thrown in” for good measure for less than the normal selling price of the keyboard itself. Not a bad deal, eh?
I haven’t much chance to do much with it yet, but I have tried it out. I’ll let you know later what I really think of it – although my first impression is pretty much… “SWEET!” Thanks Dad and Mom for the early graduation present!
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
If you will be in the Greenville area on March 6th, I would enjoy having you at my senior piano recital. It will be at 5pm in War Memorial Chapel (home to an absolutely stunning Steinway grand).
The program will include:
- Piano Sonata in A Major Op. 2, No. 2 – Allegro Vivace (Beethoven)
- Intermezzo in A Major & Ballade in G minor Op. 118 (Brahms)
- 15 Hungarian Peasant Songs (Bartok)
Friday, December 19th, 2008
Well, I’ve successfully finished my 7th semester of undergrad work at BJ. What a semester it has been, too! Last weekend I successfully passed my note check for my senior piano recital! What a relief… Now I must practice hard for my actual recital check (in which everything must be perfect) which comes one month before my recital. My recital check will be around the first week of February, and my recital is March 6, 2009. More info on that forthcoming.
This semester I also wrote my first-ever SATB choir piece for my choral composition class. Even though I was working frantically to finish portions of it before various deadlines in the class, I believe it turned out rather well. Now I need to do some tweaking of it, and maybe find somebody to sing it…
Over Christmas break, I’ll be keeping busy with a number of things. Piano practice for one (gotta keep on top of that repertoire). I’ll also work on compiling a portfolio of my musical compositions to submit for grad school. Hopefully, I will be able to get my graduate degree in Composition. I’m going to have to write an entirely new piece to include in this portfolio. I have an idea for what it might be, too…
I’ll also be working over Christmas break, and hopefully doing some re-organization of my web design business. BTW, if you know of anyone needing a website, send them my way.
