dogpaw
02-29-2008, 02:40 PM
I want to thank Doug and his staff for giving me the opportunity to introduce myself. It is my assumption that I am one of the older people on this forum, however, I am years behind everyone in regards to working with music-making software technology.
By the time I was 30, I had taken private arranging instruction with C. Fred Kepner, founder and former director (35 years) of the Airmen of Note (Air Force's jazz band). I had also recorded a 45 RPM record in Philadelphia and managed to lose $10,000 on it. I decided that I needed a college education in music and started in a small community college in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. I soon realized that a career in music was a very long haul, had no one to keep me afloat financially, and so I doubled-majored in computer science, attaining my BS degree at Mansfield University, where I also played tenor sax in the jazz band.
After almost 23 years, I am still in the computer business, working for EDS as a systems administrator. However, I have kept at composing and arranging, writing for people such as my dad's (now sister's and brother-in-law's) Big Band, the Bill Dayton Big Band ( www.billdayton.com ), 17-time Grammy Award winner, Jimmy Sturr ( www.jimmysturr.com ), as well as myriad jobs for high schools, choirs, and individuals. But, even though I have composed and arranged music for 35 years and even though I have had my music performed on a few radio stations and TV stations in the past and even though I got a kick out of Jimmy Sturr playing my arrangements at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fischer Hall, I do not consider myself a success. I have listened to the pieces on SoundsOnline, am very impressed with what I hear, and I know you all will be successful if you are not so already.
I have written a LOT of notes over the decades. But, I am still very new to this business of samples and sequencers and so forth. I have tried very hard to teach myself. I don't have to tell you that this work is not easy. For me, I am dealing with a huge learning curve. Although I am a senior-level systems administrator and know computers, this field of computer-based music is an entirely different disipline, and I have along ways to go to learn it all. What makes it harder is working 8-10 hours each day and then trying to carve out time for my music in the evening...after my aerobics and Pilates, of course. Being healthy is important, too, and I would encourage each of you to work as hard at your health as you do at your music. Both my grandfather and dad died of cancer. I hope to break the mold.
To help in my education, I am taking the Music for the Media course. I have a great instructor in Jeff MacDonald ( www.louderproductions.com ), and I hope that I can become a quality composer. I certainly will try my best. There will be times when I will post on this forum. I hope that my questions will not appear as too basic for you, but I have much to learn. Your patience will be much appreciated.
By the way, my first EastWest software (EWQLSO Platinum and Symphonic Choirs) arrived today (2/28/2008). I look forward to working with this software, and I thank those involved with its production for bringing it to life.
Regards,
By the time I was 30, I had taken private arranging instruction with C. Fred Kepner, founder and former director (35 years) of the Airmen of Note (Air Force's jazz band). I had also recorded a 45 RPM record in Philadelphia and managed to lose $10,000 on it. I decided that I needed a college education in music and started in a small community college in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. I soon realized that a career in music was a very long haul, had no one to keep me afloat financially, and so I doubled-majored in computer science, attaining my BS degree at Mansfield University, where I also played tenor sax in the jazz band.
After almost 23 years, I am still in the computer business, working for EDS as a systems administrator. However, I have kept at composing and arranging, writing for people such as my dad's (now sister's and brother-in-law's) Big Band, the Bill Dayton Big Band ( www.billdayton.com ), 17-time Grammy Award winner, Jimmy Sturr ( www.jimmysturr.com ), as well as myriad jobs for high schools, choirs, and individuals. But, even though I have composed and arranged music for 35 years and even though I have had my music performed on a few radio stations and TV stations in the past and even though I got a kick out of Jimmy Sturr playing my arrangements at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fischer Hall, I do not consider myself a success. I have listened to the pieces on SoundsOnline, am very impressed with what I hear, and I know you all will be successful if you are not so already.
I have written a LOT of notes over the decades. But, I am still very new to this business of samples and sequencers and so forth. I have tried very hard to teach myself. I don't have to tell you that this work is not easy. For me, I am dealing with a huge learning curve. Although I am a senior-level systems administrator and know computers, this field of computer-based music is an entirely different disipline, and I have along ways to go to learn it all. What makes it harder is working 8-10 hours each day and then trying to carve out time for my music in the evening...after my aerobics and Pilates, of course. Being healthy is important, too, and I would encourage each of you to work as hard at your health as you do at your music. Both my grandfather and dad died of cancer. I hope to break the mold.
To help in my education, I am taking the Music for the Media course. I have a great instructor in Jeff MacDonald ( www.louderproductions.com ), and I hope that I can become a quality composer. I certainly will try my best. There will be times when I will post on this forum. I hope that my questions will not appear as too basic for you, but I have much to learn. Your patience will be much appreciated.
By the way, my first EastWest software (EWQLSO Platinum and Symphonic Choirs) arrived today (2/28/2008). I look forward to working with this software, and I thank those involved with its production for bringing it to life.
Regards,