From the monthly archives:
Ozma of Oz
OZMA for orchestra (1996)
Program notes for the premiere:
Ozma was commissioned by the Topeka Symphony Orchestra to commemorate their 50th anniversary as an orchestra. The tie-in to Oz and Kansas seemed a good starting point for this concert overture. I read several of the sequels to Frank L. Baum’s Wizard of Oz and was [...]
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[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
“We Mustered Out” from HOMER IN CYBERSPACE
Music by Roger Bourland
Lyrics by Mel Shapiro
We Mustered Out
Sung by all the soldiers
We mustered out
With a roar and a shout
“Get outta my way,
I got ten years back pay”
I’m practically rich
With the dough and the loot
Stuck in an old boot
A few treasures in there
For [...]
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After large projects, or every few years I like to rearrange things. Sometimes it’s just my office. Sometimes it’s the whole place. When you have a studio with lots of wires and equipment, that can take a while. Well, that’s what I did the last three days and I’m pooped. I’m someone who is driven [...]
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“DreamDrag” from FLASHPOINT STONEWALL (1994)
Music: Roger Bourland
Lyrics: John Hall
Bass: Craig Wheeler
Chorus: Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
Conductor: Jon Bailey
FLASHPOINT/STONEWALL celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, and was co-commissioned and performed by GMCLA, the Seattle Men’s Chorus, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Wash. DC, and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. The [...]
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THREE ARIAS FOR CELLO AND PIANO
1. Cl’Airea (for Paul Reale and Claire Rydell)
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
2. Mount Shasta (For Mark Carlson and Charlie Swigart)
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
3. In Paris (for John Hall)
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Ronald Leonard, cello
Antoinette Perry, piano
David Cloud, recording engineer
Schoenberg Auditorium
Music: © 1989 Yelton [...]
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Last night we helped Howard pack up Mike’s stuff. You saw a slide show (below) of his stuff, well, the time has come to pack it up and move it out. I was assigned the books. With Mike’s collection, there is an impressive number of metaphysical books, and specifically books on gnosticism. It seemed appropriate [...]
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Penelope is exasperated by suitors urging her to remarry and forget O. She is frustrated at her husband’s complete disappearance and wishes that he would just come home.
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
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“Come Home” from HOMER IN CYBERSPACE
Music: Roger Bourland
Lyrics: Mel Shapiro
Soprano: Grace Wall
Trumpet: Jens Lindemann
© 2008 Roger Bourland and Mel [...]
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In the vein of FRIENDS, in case you haven’t seen this, here is a video you’ll never forget.
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At age 55 I am fortunate to have both of my parents alive and well. Yesterday I blogged about my dad, and today, my mom.
JoAnn Rhodes Bourland was born in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, the only daughter of Marian and Nancy Rhodes. (Flemingsburg is just down the road from Maysville, y’know, the town where the Clooneys are [...]
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Daniel and I spent the past four days in Phoenix, Arizona visiting my parents and seeing their new home. They love their new home and are healthy I’m happy to report. We were fortunate to hear my Dad give a sermon. He’s not lost his touch. It was great to hear him whip up the [...]
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