: This Month’s To Do List
I thought that when I retired I would have plenty of free time. Hah. Here’s what’s currently “on my plate”:
- Get ready for International Blues Challenge next Saturday – finalize pieces, get timings, practice tricky sections
- Work on new pieces for Piano Trio – get enough ready in time for Composer’s Salon at end of month. I have to pick out one of these and finish up no later than August 15 for the finalist round in the “International Finzi Academy Composition Competition” in Verbania Italy.
- Buy new jeans, old ones too ripped
- Re-grout bathroom shower
- Keep working on Symphonic Odyssey #1 – even if only 10 minutes a day
- Much work on drums
- Polish up sections L thru P
- Add saxophones to section R
- Be a good husband, father, uncle, & friend
- Get down Karate Advanced Self Defense patterns 6 thru 10
- Practice sight reading at least 15 minutes a day
- Finish Bach cycle (Italian Suites, etc)
- Read through James Johnston and Earl Garner transcriptions
- Upgrade composition software to Dorico 5
- Try out new drum sounds in Symphonic Odyssey #1
- Start working more with Pro Tools (to get more comfortable with its weird interface)
- Re-balance 401K retirement portfolio
- Get back on regular schedule for swimming – at least once a week
- Tighten up remaining short piano pieces – expand opening on Inventional #4, fix up 3rd & 4th “verses” of Sketch 1.2.
- Do some reading – I’ve reserved Of Human Bondage at the Montclair Public Library
- Continue work on polishing video of performance of Suite for Strings – violins way too loud, cellos, double basses too soft.
- Make appointment to get wisdom tooth pulled (ugh)
Pshew. And likely I’ve omitted a few that aren’t coming to mind just now.
Meanwhile I hope that you will have some spare room on your plate to come out and hear some great music.
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Thursday June 8th, 8:00PM -12:00AM
Better Off Dead at Great Notch Inn,
400 US-46, Woodland Park, NJ 07424 (973) 256-7742
Last month I asked if there’s a specific term for a group of motorcyclists. KevinK suggests a “bunch” of bikers; while AJ suggests a “racket” of motorcycles. In a contrary suggestion, BenS says that we should not use the term for crows (look it up if you don’t know). I sort of like AJs suggestion, but am open to other thoughts. Meanwhile, at our last gig at the Notch someone left three $100 bills in the band tip jar. I hope this person returns.
http://www.betteroffdead.com
https://www.facebook.com/Great-Notch-Inn-45741843010/
Saturday June 17th, 11:00AM – 4:00PM
International Blues Challenge at Stanhope House,
45 Main St, Stanhope, NJ 07874
The International Blues Challenge (IBC) is a yearly event sponsored by the Blues Foundation to identify the best blues performers; it takes place in Memphis Tennessee. But to get to Memphis you first have to compete in local events – which in my case is sponsored by the North Jersey Blues Society. I will be competing in the solo/duo category – which means I will be up on stage by my lonesome self with no support. And I am up against some very strong competition. So if you can make it out to Stanhope next Saturday and cheer me on it would be most appreciated. The event goes from 11AM to 4 PM, but as of sending this out I do not know what time I will be performing (and performers are allotted a maximum of 20 minutes) – but I will post this on Facebook when I find out. If you are not on FB and still want to come, let me know and I’ll send out a follow up letting you know my time slot. There may be an entrance fee to get in – $10? $20? Not sure.
https://stanhopehousenj.com/
https://www.northjerseybluessociety.org/post/crossroads-to-memphis-local-ibc-challenge-meet-the-bands
Friday June 23rd, 7:00PM-9:00
Better Off Dead at Ruthie’s BBQ
64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair, NJ (973) 509-1134
With any luck the weather gods will cooperate and we’ll play outdoors on the world famous Ruthie’s Veranda. Friday Nights are typically very busy, so if you want a good table I suggest you get there by 6:30. Remember to BYO.
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/