For Orchestra!

The New Music Seminar came to Webster Hall this week and I was interested to learn what the artists were working on. In the classical music world, I constantly mention how there is nothing new going on, except some things – and so I made it a point to see if there was any ‘orchestra’ influence happening.

New Music Seminar has variety

I was happy to learn that the response was very receptive, and there are even a few musicians who are either working with orchestras or have big plans. Two that I learned of were Yonas and Oxzana. The guitar player to OXzana is actually working on an orchestra CD, which I will definetly keep an eye out for.

The lineup also consisted of Margaret Cho, Naughty by Nature, and more. While they mentioned there was “nothing in the pipeline” to work with orchestras, it would be cool to see hiphop/orchestra collab go down with Naughty by Nature. Maybe OPP arranged for orchestra?

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Outdoor orchestra performances are nothing new. But The NY Philharmonic put on a great show, that actuallty surprised me in a few ways.

he NY Philharmonic performed in Central Park the other night, and although it was rainy earlier I wasn’t going to miss it. The performance was fantastic. But what I loved the most were:

1.) The sound system (which surprisingly did a fantastic job of re-creating the acoustics in the open park)
2.) The use of texting to vote for the setlist/encore

The voting was the coolest. It was Twitter-like, and the participants ‘fought’ for their favorite songs. ‘It’s about interaction – and I’m glad their starting to understand that. Next I would like to see them turn that into a game somehow – with that many people in the open park, there would be tons you could do.

They redid the performance for a second night, but the rain unfortunately kept me away this time around. It was a blast to hear the classics, but once again – the set list was similar to what I always complain about.

I remember how my College Professor once told me that in order to be the best musician, I should “learn something new every day”.

He was referring to the academics of music – one day you learn eighth notes, the next day you learn quarter notes, etc.

It was hard, but it worked, and I grew as a musician extremely fast. But over the years I’ve applied this to every aspect of my life – because I feel like everything is like that.

Life is only boring when you’re bored. So stay busy, stay curious, and take chances – every day. So don’t just learn music – learn surfing, learn hiking, learn salsa dancing, learn Spanish, learn computers, go out, learn people, learn how to do everything. You’ll be more well rounded because of it – and the more life experiences you have the more you have to inspire your art, the more fun you are, and the better life you’ve lived.

And that’s worth striving for every day.

I think we’re going to see a new wave in performances these next few years. First was the appearance of lighters. Then cell phone cameras started to take shape at shows, and I think orchestras will start implementing the iPad.

But what about the actual performances? Well, Mashable reported that shows may turn into games. And it all makes sense. Games become more fun when large groups of people are involved. And the traditional orchestra has over 100 members.

MTV sent out a press release about this movement, and their plans on getting involved. And since interaction is the key, this seems like the next logical step.

It started with Foursquare, which turned going out into a game. Imagine being able to receive credit towards a band’s shirt if you checked into a concert, or were able to choose the setlist by becoming a ‘super fan’?

Technology always dictates where art goes. So what’s your thoughts on this?

Skydiving has always been on my list of things to do. But as a musician I was always told by my doctor to not go because it could damage my hearing – and since music is my life, then that would be bad.

After talking with friends, doctors, and doing research, I decided to go to Long Island anyway, and so I went with Josephine Dorado and The NY Skydiver’s group. Needless to say, it was a blast.

There was something beautiful about seeing the world from 15,000 feet high. For the first time in my life I flew. The feeling was euphoric, and the scene was unimaginable. Sure, it was scary – but that’s a good thing. I’m young, so I can take a panic attack

Music expresses emotions and experiences, and the more experiences and adventures you have, the more expressive your craft becomes as a reflection of that. Skydiving was amazing, and it feels good to cross off it off list, and have it in the back of the mind.

New Year’s Resolutions are always welcomed. We strive to be better people, do more things, stop holding off on dreams, etc.

Back in 2007 I had a New Year’s Resolution that was “Do 52 new things for an entire year”. Basically, every week I tried something new. Week 1: Hiking, Week 2: Biking, Week 3: Kayaking (etc. etc.)

After some time into my resolution, I went Salsa dancing one week, and had one of the best times I’ve ever had. I brought a good friend of mine, and she was new to it too – and we wound up going salsa dancing nearly every week. Over time, I was amazed to meet the thousands of people within the Philadelphia scene. Tons of amazing people, attended all the Spanish parties, outdoor festivals, learned Spanish, traveled, and more. It was an exciting year – and it turned out being so much fun that I never had time to finish my New Year’s resolution.

The thing is that I wouldn’t have had that experience had I not been open to trying new things. After that year, I became more confident, more open, adventurous, and social because of it. People live their life too predictable and too much in the ‘comfort zone’. But everything is like that – in fact, the only way I learned about my passion for the orchestra is simply because I tried lots of careers in my life before I discovered it. It was one of those things that after I wrote my first piece and heard it performed, I never wanted to go back.

So try new things, take chances, write tons of music, fail, get up again, and stay interested in the interesting. Variety is the spice of life, and the only way you’ll find it is if you break form the comfort zone.

I always write about interesting things I see. This weekend I’m in Philadelphia celebrating my brother’s birthday while I run around, and I saw the most interesting balloons ever.

Similar to those birthday cards that started appearing years ago, this balloon plays music when you tap it.

It’s interactive things like this that I would like to see in the orchestra field. Not necessarily orchestra hallways with singing balloons lined up – but something where the crowd interacts with the music program, or performed pieces in real time, or the steps.

It’s an exciting time to live in. Maybe we’ll start seeing interactive screens and more in balloons, gift cards, music programs, instruments, and more. Because as technology evolves, it becomes more affordable, mainstream, and functional.

This isn’t about the orchestra, but it is about working hard and never giving up – even up to the last second.

After controversy and hardships, the USA beat Algeria 1-0. And I’m sitting here watching the game on Ustream outside. And needless to say, I’m screaming at the top of my lungs.

It was the 91st minute, and te game was pretty much done. It seemed USA had their chance, and they blew it.

I love an underdog. An adversity story. I love a nailbiter, and a fighter. USA advances, and England and Algeria have got to be struck.

But there is a bigger story here. A lesson to understand that it’s not over til its over. Even earlier this month, my hometown team – the Philadelphia Flyers – came back from a 0-3 Best-of-7 deficit to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

In a world of negative feedback, mistakes, regrets, and hardships, perhaps the most important thing is the constant reminder that its only a failure if you don’t get up again.

The other day I came across an amazing video by The San Francisco Symphony Social Network. The orchestra is an experience. For centuries, it’s been groundbreaking, seen innovations, and been the most supported music in history. In the past century though, it’s been stale. So this video was finally a unison between art and technology.

Cameras go through the woodwinds, overhead arial shots, and more. All while the audience stares and watches, and experiences the format in a new perspective.

“Use electronic media as a way to develope audieces for the future, and to bring classical music to young people” – Michael Bronson, producer of orchestra video above

General Manager, John Kieser is doing a good job as a visionary and trying new things. THIS is what I’m talking about. But why stop there?

The only problem is the related videos: which highlight things like “Michael Tilson Thomas Plays Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23“. This is exactly what I was saying before, that classical music’s repertoire is predictable. There’s a lot more they could do with technology. Either way, it’s good too see innovation, this is a step in the right direction.

Most of my original music I create is about looking back. It’s about regrets, memories, chance, and serendipity. The music tends to be dark, in order to reflect on some tough moments in my life.

But in all of these ups and downs – which I’m sure everybody goes through – I am always amazed at the people I meet, and where things lead me. I always look back and see how others around me have grown, and am amazed in what they’ve done.

Three people come to mind: I felt this way about Ben Parr, Mike Lewis, and Whitney Hess when I first met them.

I first met my good friend Ben Parr while I was on the UStream Partner Program – back when it first started. My friend who was at Ustream, Matt Schlicht, mentioned I should stay with Ben for the Blogworld Expo. After the expo, Ben always stayed in touch with me. He called me every couple weeks to see how I was, or to ask about my Music Show, or to talk about books, traveling, Chicago, the fast moving tech world, or I’d call him to see how he’s doing. Fast forward 18 months, and now Ben is the Co-Editor of Mashable, an Entrepreneur, and a Sci-Fi author. He continues to stay connected with everyone he meets, and is interested in what everyone has to say.

Mike Lewis never treated me like the little guy, but I was. Having a growing music show online, I was still new to the ‘internet’ space, and the people around it. Mike was the founder and organizer of the popular NYC Diggnation group. He invited me along with his group, and it was there I met Meghan Asha, Tim Spatz, Jim Louderback, Sarah Austin, Steph Agresta and more. After connecting with Sarah Austin, I then was a guest on her Pop 17 show, which snowballed into meeting a bunch of other awesome people, and created my group of friends here in NYC. Mike now spearheads Suite Arrival, a company he started that successfully connects travelers and their item to and from destinations.

It’s rare to find a worker as passionate and well rounded as Whitney Hess. I can remember having lunch with her at Tic Toc Diner talking about our fears and projections for starting new adventures. Derek Sivers told me “If it scares you, do it“. And that’s what Whitney is doing. Starting out, she was scared about her next job, looking to make things work, and taking the plunge. But she succeeded. She wasn’t happy, and now 2 years later she’s one of the top User Experience designers in the space, and is happier, more successful, and more confident than ever.

When you make these connections over the years you never know what they will turn into. Friendships, relationships, career advice, someone to lean on, business partners, surfing buddies, band members, etc.

After meeting someone that blows me away, I always turn to a friend and say “Just met someone awesome, and there’s something about them. Really can’t wait to see what they do.” Some people have that IT factor. Learn to pay attention, and connect with people who think like you, and who motivate you. Life is about taking the leap, and jumping in wholeheartedly.

The view ahead of you is beautiful. But remember that when looking forward at where you’re headed, take the time to also look back and reminisce at the beautiful view behind you.