I just returned from a wonderful vacation in Belize. But, just before I left, I got some good news: The Manhattan School of Music has chosen Gargoyle Garden to be their children’s opera for their annual educational outreach program with NYC schools. The good news is that the opera will be performed multiple times to multiple audiences at different grade schools. The work will be staged, costumed, and VERY WELL rehearsed! The bad news is that they’ll be doing the piano and percussion version instead of the full orchestra version. I’ll post dates and other news about the performances as I receive more details. Right now, all the performances are scheduled over a two-week period in late March/early April.

In other news, I was also contacted by the amazingly talented and gifted trumpetist, Douglas Hedwig, to work on a new composition for trumpet and electronics for late summer or early autumn of 2009! I’m really excited to be working with someone of his caliber. More details on that, too, when we get the details hashed out.

My work for the Round Rock Symphony is proceeding nicely. Right now, it looks like Kirk Trevor may be using the work as part of his conductor’s workshop, too!

And, finally, I’ll be writing a new work for the Lost Dog New Music Ensemble‘s Christine Perea for an April performance.

Happy Holidays! I’ll try to write an update before the new year.