I'm writing a few more duets for the publisher. I hope they like all of them LOL

I wrote that this afternoon at Borders, which is my favorite place to drink coffee and write. I had a guy on my mind, a writer, a sweetheart. Felt so good to move on that romantic impulse, something I don't usually do. As an artistic type individual I tend to fall to fast, too hard, too much and lose everything every time. Well, not this go around. But I wanted to write something for him.

Its a new month, tomorrow is my Bro's birthday (happy birthday!!) and I am trying to keep focused on my journey ahead. As I have mentioned before, I am getting a piece published by Broadbent&Dunn, Ltd. in England and since this is the first time I have ever gone through this process I did not know what to expect. It turns out, after a few emails, that it is a longer process than I had anticipated. The cool thing is that I made getting published a goal back in Jun and here it is happening! Also I learned that my piece will be sent to magazines and possibly get reviewed. That is a little scary since their professional opinions may very well rip apart my little clarinet duet, but I have already decided that no matter what they say (if they even decide to review it) I will only be happy to have had the opportunity. I don't write music with anyone's satisfaction but my own in mind. Anyway, Spring is on its way and today is a beautiful day!

Well my piece Psyche did not win the competition (that is why I have now posted it here on soundclick.)... It's ok tho because I have already started working on the next competition piece! Please give it a listen anyway I still like it.

So I have heard back from the publisher and they will be publishing my clarinet duet, which I used to have posted up on here. I am pretty excited! Got that piece into the competition in Finland, waiting to hear back next month. Looking into a few other competitions, but really publishing is my next move. The publisher has asked for more! I am going to go through all the steps with them first before I just send them everything I have. Anyway, best of luck in this new year to all of you creative artists and afficionados!

I feel like adding one thing: If you create a work of art with the sole intention of selling it to the largest group of people you have just given up the job as the sole creator of that work. Art is not a democratic event; the artist is the dictator. So all of you posing young hip-hop beat makers should at least recognize that you are not musicians but car salesmen who can operate a drum machine. This, I feel, is the next movement in art. Where we draw a distinct line between the real and the fake, the canvas and the wallpaper, the music and the muzak. Just had to rant a little.

So I finished my piece for solo euphonium which will be entered into a competition. I love this piece! I need a title for it tho. Anyway, I'll post it after I hear from the competition.

Yes, so it's a great time to reflect on what I'm doing. Sharing my world through sound and music is not just a hobby or something interesting to play around with, it is my life. It has been forever and I am gaining the tools necessary to make it my sole source of income. I mean, I do already teach others, but I want to pursue my career as a composer/performer. That said, I still want to get some students for online study, let me know! This is the year I get published!! And I'm going to enter some competitions... that's pretty exciting.

-Shawn
srmeloystudio.com

Writing and writing... waitiing and waiting... I am reworking a piece, something I never do LOL, but I found an old score that I want to finish. Should be fun Still waiting for the publishers to write back. Anyway, check out my page!

srmeloystudio.com

So I'm determined that this is the year that I get refocused on my goal, my purpose. I am currently working on a recital of my music to be played in the Fall. From that, I intend to springboard into composing for a living. I will be published, I will be heard!