Back To Work!

I just finished a week of intense training on the computer.  It was a nice change of pace, but oh, how I missed working on my music.  Now I have a back log.  I'll have to work hard for the next week or so.  The first thing I caught up on was a violin descant for a church song to be performed this weekend.

Now I am working on my mom's audio book, and Higher Than Pope's song called "New Beast."  Fun!!

But for now, I am playing with the grandkids that are spending the night.

Church Youth Choir

I am so proud of my youth choir.  Today they sang "There Is A Green Hill" and they were wonderful.  They are such troopers.  We all know that not every teenager likes to sing...especially in church.  But our ward leaders want the youth to sing at every homecoming and farewell.  Therefore, we have an on-going youth choir.  All the youth age 12-18 are in the choir, whether they like to sing or not.  And I am the luckiest person in the world, because they are so kind to me.  I know they don't all want to be there, all the time.  But they stay for practice, they show up to perform, and they are growing in so many ways.

Today we started working on our next song, "True To The Faith," which will be performed in the middle of June.  I love you kids!!!  You are AWESOME!!!

"True To The Faith"

I just finished arranging an SAB of "True To The Faith" for my youth choir at church.  It has a very busy accompaniment.  I don't know why...it just came out that way.  I kind of wish I could play the piano for this, instead of direct it.  Oh well, someone else will get all the fun.  I am going to wait for a couple of practices to see if I still like it, before I post it, because I may want to change some things.

Prisbrey & Webster's "Hold On"

Doug Prisbrey and Denise Webster collaborated together several years ago to create a beautiful song to go with a Girls' Camp presentation about "Lehi's Dream."  The presentation was a big success, and the song is a hit.  I am proud to announce that the sheet music is now completed and will soon be available online.  Doug and Denise have created a website for their presentation.  Here is the link.

www.mhmusicsc.com

More Computer Help

It seems that Rapport is causing some problems - even though it was downloaded from a bank's login site.  That, combined with too many of the wrong anti-virus programs all installed at the same time caused another client's computer to freeze up.  This time, we started up in safe mode with networking, uninstalled Rapport, and all the anti-virus software, and installed the authentic Microsoft Security Essentials.  Don't be fooled by the fake ones.  The fake ones have url's that contain "soft" and "en" in their names.  Don't use those.  They are the bad ones that will make your computer worse.  The only safe way to get to MSE is through the microsoft website.  I always find it by typing  www.microsoft.com/securityessentials.  Then it will redirect to the correct download page.

Also look for the logo blue castle with flag. 

We ran updates and then scans to check and protect the computer, and its all fixed.  I assume that Rapport will work fine, since it is endorsed by online banking.  It must have just been the combination of that mixed with too much bad stuff on the computer.  If she downloads Rapport again at the suggestion of her bank, I hope it will be fine this time.

Paige Allred - Singer/Songwriter Ready to Work

I worked with Paige today.  She is ready to start showing her "stuff."  She is an inspiration.  Paige has endured breast cancer recently, but has been an accomplished musician since she was a child.  She was a church organist at 13 years old.  She has starred in many local musicals including, the "Narrator" in "Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and one of the sons' wives in Michael McLean's "The Ark."  She recently played as Mrs. Abigail Adams in "1776."

Paige has written quite a few songs that are absolutely beautiful.  She is ready to start recording and distributing.  So, I have spent some time with her, helping her get started setting up her own studio at home.  It's very exciting.

Lyndsi Houskeeper "Like A Diamond"

Another song of Lyndsi's is done.  Check it out.  "Like A Diamond."

My Daughter, The Artiste!

I commissioned my first art work, specifically for my own purposes.  COOL!!


I feel so important now.  I am very proud of my daughter.  She is only a sophomore, but her art teacher told her she wants her in studio for the next two years at the school, and she is going to groom her for a Sterling Scholar in Visual Art.  This is very exciting!

She wasn't enjoying the monoprint unit in art class, so I asked her to do something "music" for me.  I was hoping that would make it more interesting for her.  She had designed a treble clef with a rose winding around it, for our headstone.  I got a double headstone for my husband, that way when I died, there would not be that added expense.  My name is on the headstone.  My husband had a beautiful plaque from the "Sons Of The American Revolution" above his name, so I wanted something significant and beautiful above my name, too.

As a result, my daughter designed the clef sign and rose for the headstone.  I asked her to make a monoprint of it that I could frame and hang in my studio.  She did it, but she didn't do monoprint, she used three colors.  She had already done a monoprint as her assigned task, so this was an extra assignment, and the teacher allowed her to use multiple colors.

I loved it!!!  I am extremely proud of her.  Now I am going to use this as my exclusive logo.  We have copyrighted it to protect it.  Now I can say "I knew her when...."

Lyndsi Houskeeper "Higher"

I finished "Higher" yesterday.  So check out Lyndsi's blog for information on how to get the sheet music.  Give her a couple days to check it for accuracy and to get it posted.

It's a very pretty song, and it was quite easy to make into a second verse and signo and coda.  I like it when songs do that.  It makes for less page turns.

The Garden Overture and Three Days Passing

I received permission from Michael McLean to transcribe a piano reduction score of the "Overture" and "Three Days Passing" for our performance last weekend.  So, I did it, and then on Monday, I finalized it and sent it off to him to approve.  I liked the way it played on the piano.  I think it is great.  So, hopefully, in the future, for anyone that wants to perform "The Garden," these songs should be available to play on the piano.

Computer help

I helped someone with her computer today.  She was blocked from the internet, so I could tell that she had an "anti-virus" virus.  I hate those.  They make you think you need their anti-virus software, but they actually give you a virus and keep you from being able to function until you pay for their software.  Unfortunately, I had learned that the hard way a very long time ago.

I fixed that for her, and got her back on the internet.  I installed the "real" microsoft security essentials and firefox for her, so that she will be better protected.  I showed her some tricks at how to bookmark her favorite pages across the top of Firefox, so that she can find them easier.

Her virus deleted her "word" program, so I showed her how to use "Open Office" and installed that for her.  She's a happy camper now.

Easter Performance - "The Garden"

WOW!!!  All I can say is OMG!!!  (Oh my goodness)

I had no idea that this show would turn out so well.  I enjoyed transcribing the Overture and the Three Days Passing instrumental music, and turning it into sheet music.  Then I had to learn how to play it.

We performed this in the Chapel, so we had to strike everything after Saturday's performance, so that all the wards could hold their Sacrament Meetings on Sunday.  It took a while to get everything set up again after the last meeting at 4pm.

I am so amazed at how well the show went.  Our soloists were wonderful!  The scenery was luscious and green.  The mics worked well.  We had great audiences.  Saturday was well-attended.  However, Sunday evening was full, as I knew it would be.  And I had a blast playing the piano for the entire time.  It was only one hour and ten minutes.

Our cast was incredible.  And even more amazing was that every person involved in the show was from one of the three wards in our building.

Director - Staci Langston
Accompanist - Brenda Reep
Narrator - Jill Christian Di Pietro
The Man - Rex Oliver
The Gardener - Matt Valantine
The Landlord - Jim Sevy
The Millstone - Ken Sizemore
The Barren Tree - Kayleen Leith
The Ram - Lee Sizemore
The Seedling - Shannon Sizemore

You guys were awesome!!!   Thanks for a great show!  What a wonderful way to spend this Easter Weekend.

Where Is Your Heart?

My mom, Dorothy ReNee' Crofts, drove all the way down here to St. George just to do an audio recording of her new book.  It was fun!  She has that cute little "central Utah" accent, and it was nice to hear the story again.

Her book is now available on Amazon.com and in selected stores - and other places I cannot remember.

Where Is Your Heart? is a 25 minute presentation of scriptures done in poetry.  It is absolutely beautiful.  When I get this audio recording done for her, it will be available with the book.

The Garden

My performance project for the month has been "The Garden," by Michael McLean and Bryce Neubert.  I saw it the first time when Ryan Norton did such a wonderful job putting it together a few years ago at the Dixie High School auditorium.

Staci Langston organized a tri-ward choir and chose soloists, and I agreed to play the piano for it.  Deciding whether to use the professional performance track or to play the piano live for something as big as this is a very tough decision.  There are benefits and downfalls with either choice.  We chose to perform it with a live piano accompaniment.

However, she really liked the Overture and wanted it to be prelude.  We could do that and it would be nice.  But I was concerned that switching from a fully orchestrated CD of the "Overture" then to just piano would be too much contrast.  I know that I can make the piano sound great.  However, the contrast would be too drastic, and then the piano would not seem as beautiful.

I am always one who prefers to perform with live musicians.  It doesn't seem so "karaoke bar" that way.  And it emphasizes the full musical potential of the performance.

I told Staci that I would look for the sheet music for the "Overture" and "Three Days Passing."  Upon looking for it I was told that there was not a reduction score for those two instrumental numbers.  So, I got Michael McLean's permission to write it into sheet music so that I could play it live.  I am going to send him the sheet music, and if he likes it, hopefully he will make it available to others who might want to do the same as we are doing.

The rehearsals are coming along nicely.  We will be performing this on Saturday and Sunday, April 23 & 24, 2011 in Santa Clara, Utah.  If you are in the area during Easter break, please join us for this special evening.

"Print Music" Finale' Software

This isn't my software of choice.  I use an Encore product.  I LOVE Encore.  However, I gave a coaching session today to someone to learn how to use her software that she already owns - which happens to be "Print Music."  The session went well.  I was able to help her work out some kinks in the system, update her software and make it more compatible to her laptop.

I just want to say that it takes a little while to learn any new software.  Be patient with yourself and don't be afraid to experiment.  She made "glissandos" and "five against four sixteenth note tuplets."  It was great.  I love how excited a person becomes when he or she "gets" something and figures it out.  I love it!

There Is A Green Hill Far Away

It's time for my church youth choir to sing again soon.  I needed a song ready to practice with them on Sunday.  So, two mornings ago, I was walking my dog, ACE, and the hymn "There Is A Green Hill Far Away" popped into my head.  I have always loved that Sacrament Hymn, and I started a tradition of choosing that hymn for the sacrament hymn whenever there is a mission farewell.  I started that with my step-son Richard, when he went to Scotland for his mission.  It seemed so appropriate - you know - green hills - Scotland.

So I guess, knowing that the next time my youth choir has to sing, it is for a farewell of a young man going to Russia.

Anyway....I couldn't stop singing that hymn in my head on the whole walk.  A nice arrangement started coming together.  After I sang it once through, I said a quick prayer, "Please God, let me remember this when I get home."

When I got home, I had to spend an hour driving different children to their various schools.  One of which is 6 miles away.  Then I had to do some laundry - so that I could get dressed.  Finally, in the afternoon, I was able to sit down - at my new, awesome Clavinova, and start writing.

I finished it, and I like it.  So we started it yesterday.  I think it will be nice.

Orchestrated Accompaniments

I'm winding up a job I have been working on.  I am creating ten recorded accompaniments for a high school's spring theater show.  It sure is nicer to do with my new Clavinova!  I'm using the new piano, but still having issues with the new computer.  Thank goodness my old computer is still working well.  There is something to be said for spending the money to get a good, custom-built computer, made especially for your own needs.  My recording computer is 7 years old - the oldest computer in the house, and it has hung in there the best.  It's still fast, too.

I'm not sure that switching to Mac was all that great of an idea.  But it hasn't gone to waste.  I have switched over my sheet music transcriptions to the Mac and it is doing a great job with that.  Except there is a small latency issue that is bugging me.  It is only a fraction of a second off, but it sure is annoying.  I am sure I will get that figured out soon.

I guess if I don't ever get on the internet with my old "built" computer, and I do all the paperwork and sheet music on the mac, that will take a ton of pressure off it, and it will continue to do well for me with my recordings.

Musical ElectronicTechnical Help

I had the opportunity to help a local musician I had met at the Piano Gallery here in St. George connect her new Clavinova to her laptop so that she could write sheet music for herself.  I love being able to help someone else be able to do for themselves the things that I love to do.

I don't know why I feel such joy and excitement when I can help someone else understand how the computer and the piano can work together.

I helped a neighbor a couple years ago.  He is a wonderful pianist and he was leaving for a mission and he wanted to record his compositions, and someday write them down for himself.  He is an outstanding musician and has great potential.  It would be sad to see him have to use someone else for a service he is capable of providing for himself.  The excitement I saw in his face as he learned how to do these things was priceless.  He has been well-trained by a local master musician.  However, it has all been classically, acoustically trained.

These two areas of music don't need to be like apples and oranges anymore.  There is so much we can do with electronics.

Clavinova Lessons

I am now teaching Clavinova Lessons.  Private and group.

• If you play the piano, but want to learn how the new clavinovas work, and what you can do with them.
• If you don't play the piano, but want the basics of how to play along with pre-set songs and sound good.
• If you kind of play the piano, but want to follow along with a fake-book.
• If you want to learn more about chords, so that you can play a melody with one-touch chord accompaniments.
• If you want to multi-track your own recordings and save them to a CD.
• If you just want to learn about all the cool bells and whistles these keyboards have to offer.

Whatever you want to learn, I can help you.  Just contact me at:

KolobMusic@gmail.com

Southern Utah area students only at this time.  Space is limited, and time slots are already filling up fast.  Contact me soon to reserve your lesson time.

Clavinova and Mac OS X

My studio is finally transformed from PC to Mac.  I have been wanting to do this for years, and now it is done.  I hope it wasn't a mistake.  I like what I have, but now I just need to learn how to use it.

I remember when I first started using a PC with all my new DAW software and hardware ten years ago.  It was about as user-friendly as any could be, but it took a bit of time to get used to the processes.  And if I didn't work on it often enough, I would forget what I was doing.

I know I will have a time period for my new learning curve, so I need to be patient.  In the long run I will be happier.  Its new.  Its better.  I will be able to work more efficiently - once I know exactly what I am doing.

Lyndsi Houskeeper - We Can Believe

Lyndsi has a new song written out into sheet music, as of Tuesday.  It is called "We Can Believe."  You can find her sheet music available for free at her website.  Check it out.

Brodie Perry

I just did a quick minus track for one of Brodie's students.  That was fun.  It's been a while since I have done any recordings.  Brodie teaches "speech level singing," and has quite a nice group of students going.  Maybe I'll get to make some more tracks soon.

Shaun Barrowes

I just completed the sheet music for an awesome song by Shaun Barrowes.  I don't know, there is something about the feel of that song that hits me.  I love it!!!  "...And I Dance" is the name of it, and it is really cool.

Check out his website and listen to his songs.  He's got a nice sound.

Richard Reep

I'm working on gathering video footage of Dick.  I'm compiling the footage and making a DVD that includes him moving and talking and laughing.  I had a grandpa ("Papa") who died when I was 8 years old.  I loved Papa, but I don't remember much about him.  I have some pictures, and a couple of memories, but that's about it.

My baby girl is 8 years old.  And it kills me to think that 30 years from now she won't be able to remember the wonderful relationship she had with her dad.  Dick also has 10 grandkids, and they need to see, over and over again, him moving and talking and whistling, so that they won't forget who he was and what he was like.  I'm doing it for them.

I know I will never forget.  I am old enough to have memories that will never diminish.  This is for his children and grand-children.

Dorothy ReNee' Sherman Crofts

I cannot forget to mention my mother, who is a wonderful poet and songwriter.  I grew up with her songs, and they are dear to my heart.  Dorothy has put the entire scriptures to poetry, and performs it as a presentation for different venues, such as Sacrament Meetings, Firesides, Relief Society lessons and Enrichment Meetings, Literary Club gatherings and retreats, and much more.  She has been involved in the League of Utah Writers for many years and has served as State President, Membership VP and newsletter writer, among many other positions, including every duty that no one else will do.

I was honored to put her songs down in sheet music many, many years ago.  She has more songs than just these, and I hope to help her get these done soon, too.  Love you, Mom.

"Lonely Street"
"In His Own Image"
"Make Up Your Mind"
"Remember To Love"
"Sunrise, Oh, Sunrise"
"It's A Great Feeling"
"Cry With Me"

Sandy Shumway Certonio

One wonderful person I truly miss working with is Sandy Certonio.  I had to stop working with her years ago when I took a job teaching choir in a local middle school.  While we worked together, we produced several beautiful songs.  I look forward to making more music together, now that I am working at home exclusively again.  I love you, Sandy.

Some of her titles that I transcribed for her are:

"If Any Of You Lack Wisdom"
"Gary Santa Claus"
"You Are My Sister, I Am Your Friend"
"Be Not Afraid"
"I Still Believe In America"
"When I Go To Primary"
"Teachers"

Jamie Gibson Hartley

Just finished writing some orchestra parts for a couple of Jamie's arrangements.  She wanted a harp, some strings and an oboe to play live with her at her upcoming performance.  So I extracted and wrote down those instrumental scores for her.  That was pretty fun.

Man!  I am so amazed at how beautiful her voice has become.  I used to teach her voice lessons when she was in high school.  What an amazing girl, and what determination!  I love you, Jamie.  I am so proud of you.  Keep plugging along.

Jamie's new CD will be available on November 20.  Watch for it!

Eric Dodge Band

This past weekend was such a blast.  I was involved with the Mid-Singles Conference weekend, because I was called by my Stake President to direct and organize the choir.  I wouldn't have gone otherwise.  However, I had a wonderful time.  The choir was amazing.  The people were friendly.  The activities were absolutely fun and entertaining.

The whole conference was kicked off with a concert by Eric Dodge and his group.  I hadn't taken the time to see any of his concerts before.  I was very impressed.  He was fun.  I enjoyed the dances that he took the time to teach us.  Audience participation ALWAYS wins over.  My favorite song was "Woman's World."  It was very funny, and it went over very well with our audience.

Andy Dodge was great, Jim Sevy was great, the keyboardist, John Houston was awesome - especially when he performed the Johnny Cash song and kept lowering the pitch and sang all the way down to a low "C."  You guys are cute.

Jim SevyEric Dodge

John Houston

I will definitely go to another concert.  (except my hips are killing me from all that line dancing - I better get in shape before the next concert)  Good luck on your Montana tour this week.

Lyndsi Houskeeper

I just finished writing the sheet music of three more songs for Lyndsi Houskeeper.  She is performing at a benefit concert this week here in St. George.  Her music is available online for free at her website.  The songs I have transcribed for her so far are:

"Be Thou An Example"
"Strong And Sure"
"Our Prophet's Prayer"
"The Love Of A Child"
"Just Keep Smiling"
"Light The Way"

Good job, Lyndsi.  Keep writing, keep singing and keep sharing your story.

My Pricing and what I do

I can create full Piano/Vocal/Guitar Sheet Music, lead sheets, choir music, instrumental solos or orchestra scores.  As long as it is transcription only, I charge $25 per page.  Most average solo pop-style songs are approximately 3-5 pages in length.  Lead sheets are usually only 1 or 2 pages.

I can transcribe from your own manuscript writing.  Or I can transcribe from a recording.  I prefer transcribing from a recording, because then I can feel your style, and put that style into the writing of the sheet music.

Decision Day

It is finally here!  The day I finally decided...this is what I am going to do.  It's not like it is brand new.  I have already been doing it.  But now, I am ready to seriously get to work.  The kids have been in school for a month and a half now, and I have my house somewhat under control.  Dick has been gone seven, almost eight months, and it is time to listen to his spirit telling me that it is okay to stop crying so much and get busy.  Here we go!  Lyndsi, you are first.  Got your three songs for the benefit under way.  They are on the drawing board and started.  They should be done in no time.