Archive for June, 2007

Musical walls

Monday, June 11th, 2007

“I only listen to praise music. I feel most in touch with God when I listen to it. My body and soul feel exhiliarated…”

“I only listen to music on the radio–whatever is on the radio. I mean, do you wanna know what station I listen to? Oh. Well, it’s kinda indies meets oldies.”

“I don’t like [...]

Bourland and Hall: The Parade

Sunday, June 10th, 2007

Today is Gay Pride Day in West Hollywood. We haven’t gone in years, not that we aren’t proud, it’s just, well, we don’t go any more.
Last night before I heard the premiere of Paul Chihara’s terrific new choral work, MAGNIFICAT, I went to Basix, a mostly gay and lesbian restaurant by myself. I got to [...]

New compositional projects for the summer

Friday, June 8th, 2007

As if I didn’t need anything else to do, I have quite a bit of music to write this summer. Presently I’m working on POSSUM DEATH SPREE 2 for Atomfilms, soon to be followed by POSSUM DEATH SPREE 3. Five minutes each with music done on my computer, sounding like an orchestra. By the way, [...]

Teaching students music repertoire

Friday, June 8th, 2007

The amount of music an educated musician these days “should” know has become rather staggering. That being said, it is shocking how little music literature young music students know these days. It is far more likely that they will know Danny Elfman, James Horner or John Williams film scores before they know a Beethoven, Mozart, [...]

Instant Messaging

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

Yes, my spell check freaks out when I type “messenging.” [No wonder, it's messaging silly. I created a verb out of Instant Messenger, and what the messenges sent were messenges. Duh...]
I celebrate instant messaging. My parents are always on IM, as are 10 other of my good friends at any one time. It doesn’t mean [...]

Byrds: Mr Spaceman

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

Here is a lip sync performance of The Byrds singing their UFO hymn, “Mr Spaceman” on The Smothers Brothers show, and judging by the way the band looks, it’s 1967–the year of their NOTORIOUS BYRD BROTHERS where David Crosby had been kicked out of the band. (Funny. It is indeed David’s high harmonies on the [...]

Bourland appointed Chair of UCLA Music Department

Tuesday, June 5th, 2007

UCLA School of the Arts Dean Christopher Waterman will be recommending to Executive Vice Chancellor Scott Waugh that Professor Roger Bourland be appointed as Chair of the UCLA Department of Music effective July 1, 2007.
That would be me.
So assuming there are no skeletons I’ve left dangling in some closet around campus, my life is about [...]

McClatchy in the bathtub

Monday, June 4th, 2007

I love to read in the bathtub.
This week I’ve been reading J. D. McClatchy’s mesmerizing collection of poetry called “hazmat.” Reading his poetry “tickles” a part of my brain–in a good way. I don’t always understand it, but I let it flow over me, and take it in as I can.
Our cleaning lady put my [...]

2 Summer movies: Shrek 3 and Pirates 3

Sunday, June 3rd, 2007

I like to go to summer blockbuster movies, you know, the big ones like Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and Pirates of the Caribbean and such. Unlike many of my friends, I don’t go expecting enlightenment or anything too serious. Entertainment and a night out with friends or a date with my honey is just fine.
On Friday, [...]

Feist: Four Songs

Friday, June 1st, 2007

Feist, who is really named Leslie Feist but goes by her surname as a musician, is a brilliant young Canadian singer-songwriter who has 2 albums out already. Her heritage, besides her Canadian big sisters kd, Joni and Rufus, seems to be part Björk and part Imogen Heap: sounds pretty good doesn’t it? Take a listen [...]