Archive for March, 2006

Roving Church of Fun I: The Fools Guild Party

Thursday, March 30th, 2006

Photo by Roger Bourland.

We happened into a marvelous circle of friends, a few of whom I’ve known since 1981, collectively known as “The Roving Church of Fun.” The group formed around Southern California Renaissance Faires. I first met Jim Kelly, who later became one of the Jims of Jim and Jim who were responsible for [...]

Damage control for Rufus Wainwright

Wednesday, March 29th, 2006

I’ve avoided writing this post for some time, but don’t see any reason to put it off any longer.
In my past several years of Rufus Wainwright enthusiasm, I’ve spoken to a lot of people about my project, as well as asking for their thoughts about Rufus. Let me share some of the more challenging remarks:
“It’s [...]

Composer still life

Tuesday, March 28th, 2006

Photo by Roger Bourland.

Hump?

Monday, March 27th, 2006

There is a new trend in my neighorhood streets: humps. Meaning, beware, speed bumps ahead. But “bump” is out: hump is in. Mmmm…

Photo by Roger Bourland.

Thornton Wilder and Me

Monday, March 27th, 2006

In 1983, I was commissioned by Robert Schunemann, owner of ECS Publishing and director of a choir in Cambridge, Massachusetts called “Cambridge Concentus” [or something like that] commissioned me to write three anthems for Ascension Sunday. He provided me with three texts, all of which I set and are now published by ECS Publishing in [...]

Ruggles and Bourland

Saturday, March 25th, 2006

Here is a famous portrait of composer Carl Ruggles by Thomas Hart Benton. A young photographer took this picture of me for an article about something for the UCLA Daily Bruin. It always reminded me of the Benton painting except Ruggles looks much grouchier.

This picture is of me in a UCLA classroom. I’m happy to [...]

Andriessen and Pärt at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Saturday, March 25th, 2006

I was happy to have attended performances by the LA Phil last night of 2 works by Louis Andriessen and one by Arvo Pärt. For some strange reason, I have avoided hearing the former’s music, thinking it was too [you fill in the blank]. Like so many of us with flawed opinions, I just hadn’t [...]

Teresina: Why We Don’t Exercise

Friday, March 24th, 2006

Photo by Roger Bourland.

The number one reason we cite for not exercising is lack of time, and it’s true –– who really has time to go to the gym? The demands we put on ourselves, and the priorities of the day barely leave us enough time to take a shower.Is it practical for most [...]

Invest in good computer speakers

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006

You will be listening to music more and more at your computer and less and less through the sound system in your house. Speakers usually include a left right set and very often a sub-woofer. They come in all kinds of modern shapes and sizes. There are also devices and cables that can port your [...]

The CD and other dying media

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006

A recent report tells me that CDs continue to plummet in popularity. Check out this recent poll showing who sells the most music (mp3s and hard copy music as well):
TOP 10

Wal-Mart
Best Buy
Target
Amazon.com
FYE
Circuit City
Apple iTunes
Tower Records
Sam Goody
Borders

Source: NPD
Walmart, Best Buy and Target are now the biggest sellers of CDs? Can you believe that? Amazon will continue [...]