What am I up to now? Writing, planning (January 2020)
Feliz año nuevo, people! It is officially 2020 and it’s time to get back to enjoying our creative life and writing the pieces we always dreamed of. The balloons are STILL alive, they might have one more month. For this month, I am trying to take it easy and gather all of my energies to concentrate on fewer tasks. That will allow me to get them done and avoid the burnout that usually comes in January when I begin with 1.545 goals.
So, here is what I am doing right now:
1. Writing the string parts of 2 commissions
As I shared last year, I have two commissioned performances coming in February! This deadline came soon, so I had to plan for it and do extra work in December to get the choral parts done so the ensembles (Chorus Austin and Panoramic Voices) could rehearse. Later this month, I am sharing more about this process, including some inside look at my process for these pieces. I also decided that the piece for Chorus Austin would be for choir and strings instead of a whole symphonic orchestra.
For Chorus Austin, I am writing a piece called “Escucha” (Listen) for their Songs fo the Earth concert. For Panoramic Voices, I am writing “Forgiveness.” Both are texts that I wrote and I can’t be more grateful for both ensembles to trust me so much.
2.- Organizing the goals for 2020 and 2021
It might sound late to you, it did for me but I decided to focus on writing music in December and enjoying some downtime, so I could check my priorities and plan in January for the next two years. I’ll explain more how is this working for me, and how it has worked in the past. Hint: I got my Master’s in composition thanks to making this kind of plan.
3. Choral Consortium
I am still looking for people who want to join me in my first consortium. I have to accept that it is difficult but I know that the choirs are out there and I will be able to connect with them.
If you want to have fun in your rehearsal and on stage, come and join me in my first consortium. Do you know anybody? They can sign up here.
I feel there are a ton more things that I want to do this month, and I will probably do, but I want these three to be a priority and the others to be part of my actions to keep growing and moving forward.
