A Peek Under the Covers

 Surprisingly, it's almost a year since I started work on the new project that I've been hinting at...and I just cannot believe how fast that year has gone!  There hasn't been a day gone by that I've not worked on it - alone or with others;  

• 
   Singers (@ 30+) that are helping with 2 of the pieces - one is a rhapsody, a choral work, the other is a 4-piece female acapella harmony song; 
•  studio engineers - huge thanks to Zac Limon and the inestimable Robbie Long;  [and rotten tomatoes to a U.S. studio that I'll happily share a name with anyone who is interested!] 
• Musicians - the kind and honourable Steve Cowley, well known and loved folk musician Julie Castles, and Sydney composer/guitarist David Spira who has generously allowed me to use one of his tunes for a set of lyrics....    not to mention the Limon father and son outfit! who helped with bass, drums, and guitar on a couple of pieces.
• so much gratitude for all of these people .....in addition, to Rod Barnes [our local jazz icon!],  to videographers David Jarrett and Ed Reddin, and Merewether Uniting Church who reduced our hall-hire fee in order to have a space big enough for the choristers to work together.

 Over many years I've worked on numerous Arts and Music events including many festivals which are major projects.  But this is the first time I've experienced such a community collaboration - it demonstrates just what a committed tribe we have here in the Newcastle and Hunter arts community.

The original 6 pieces composed initially for the project has now grown to 10 ...and by anyone's accounting - that's an album!!    Possibly releasing in December, a month before the project itself is released.   

Full details of the project
will be made public in either November or December - subject to the curators agreement.  [although I may be tempted to reveal early to my own followers ...so keep your eyes and ears pealed!  are you on my mailing list?].  Additionally, once the covers are off, there is likely to be a couple of live appearances to share some of the new material.

Singing up a Composition

 The new project mentioned in my last post is progressing very nicely!   One of the new compositions is titled "The Wetlands Rhapsody"  and is a choral piece for multiple voices.  Here's a pic of the 'scratch choir' who listened, learned, and recorded the piece in just one day!

It was quite a challenge.  Nobody had heard the music.  Some had never sung this type of music before.  Most couldn't read music.  But they put their heart and soul into making it happen.  They were awesome!