The Early Days

Theme: The Early Days was a compilation CD of my early performed musical works. The music was originally created in the years 1992 to 1994. I was influenced by Pink Floyd in these days, in particular I was introduced to their "Several Species of Small Furry Creatures, Living Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict" where they mutated sounds by tape splicing to create a new processed sound. I began to experiment with new sounds and incorporate them into my music. My best success came from adding natural instruments (i.e. woodwinds, strings, etc.) to help fill the musical theme that was coming from the nature sounds.

Experiences: I was in my first years of graduate school studying for my first Masters degree. While studying for my Master of Science in Anthropology I also was working for an undergraduate degree in music composition. Through Eric Stokes and Steve Heitzig I was introduced to the Minnesota Composers Forum which is now the American Composers Forum based out of St. Paul, Minnesota. From the Forum I became very interested in sound sculpture and incorporated these ideas in a number of my works from this period.

CD Information: Copyright 1999. The CD was remixed from the original master tapes and the computer they were stripped to. I noted that the stripping process was the first to fall out on the tapes. Some of the songs had to be re-entered into a newer, more powerful, version of Cakewalk. I also worked very hard to make sure I used copyright free sound bites. I downloaded only from sites that, at the time, I trusted were telling me the truth about copyright free. In my efforts to keep the copyright laws I have never received payment for performance or download of any of these early works.

Listen to The Early Days

(Click on Links Below)

Mindscapes of the Vernal Equinox - Mindscapes was written at the time in my life where I was very influences by Igor Stravinsky, and it was written during the days of the spring equinox of 1993. At the time I was writing a work for the Mankato Sate University Dance Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Julie Kerr - Berry. This is what came out of the intense writing experience of those three or four days in '93.

Bosnian Monday Morning - Sound sculpture written in the days of the Bosnian/Serb war. I had just heard of the genocide that was going on there at the time and I became very upset. To this day I am still looking to the International Courts to see if justice for these crimes on mankind will come to pass. With the work being rather unsettling sounds of escape from a city under siege I wanted to end it on a light hearted note. This is why the fate of the Runner is having to take part in Karaoke. :) As a working musician I have always had a problem with Karaoke machines. :)

Whale Song - It speaks for itself, but I will add more. While in Aspen visiting a friend during the music festival I happened to meet a man who was a marine biologist. He said that there was an amount of evidence to suggest that the whale's song was actually learned from their mother and every offspring would eventually add their own little bit to the ending of the song. As new offspring are born the song becomes longer, and in its own way, continues the story of the family. I do not know if this is true or not about whales, but this meditation is where the inspiration for Whale Song came from. I am just adding my own part to Nature's song.

Time - This song is a tribute to Dr. Steven Hawking and his book "A Brief History of Time." I have always admired Dr. Hawking, not only for his ability to make the most complicated ideas in Physics come to life in the minds of the less knowledgeable, but also how he has had to overcome so very much throughout his life. When my life in academics gets me down he is my reminder that I too can overcome my problems. In the second movement, Singularity, I use a light organ that I created using a Radio Shack experiments kit to represent a singularity of time/space.

Saturnalia Christmas - Holiday and the dogma that are associated with them change over time. Long before our winter celebrations of Christmas and New Years were here the Romans celebrated the holiday Saturnalia as the winter festival. The Saturnalia holiday was generally spent having lots of food and drink with your family and friends. You renewed your commitments in business to the people who were good and faithful to you and you parted ways with associates that didn't treat you right. Remember also vomitoriums were in use, so one didn't stop celebrating just because they were too full to eat or drink anymore. On the face of it Saturnalia and Christmas are on opposite ends of the "moral" spectrum, yet I was noting at the time that many people tend to talk about Christmas, but still celebrate it like Saturnalia. So since this work was premiering during a holiday concert, and the ending sounds a bit like a misaligned music box, I decided to call it Saturnalia Christmas and let people make up their own minds as to which holiday they are celebrating. I like to think we celebrate both. :)