Extra, Extra!

Even though this post doesn’t have effusive ASL interpreting, I hope it’s informative. The big news here is that I’ve accepted an appointment as Visiting Lecturer in Percussion at Cornell University, where I’m director of the Steel Band and World Drum and Dance Ensemble.  Although I’ve always prided myself on being a total drum nerd, these two genres of music are relatively new to me.  I’m humbled to have been given the opportunity to start exploring, and so far both bands are sounding great, no thanks to me.  More information about the program is available here.

If you’re in the Ithaca area on November 16th, you can hear the fruits of this semester’s work: a joint concert featuring the Cornell Steel Band and WDDE, with special guests Nukporfe, Dr. James Burns’ crack team of Ewe drummers and dancers from Binghamton University.  Nukporfe really smokes, as these videos will attest.  This free concert will begin with the Steel Band at 6:00 on Ho Plaza.  WDDE and Nukporfe will follow inside Willard Straight Hall: more information is available here.

Cornell has a vibrant music scene, and I’m excited to get involved.  Stay tuned for for some recitals and other performances, but in the meantime you can catch me with the Cornell Chorale on November 30th, for a performance of Vincent Persichetti’s Winter Cantata for women’s voices, marimba, and flute.

What’s next for New Morse Code?  On November 20th, we’ll  premiere a new piece by Caroline Shaw on thePrinceton Sound Kitchen’s series (formerly the Princeton Composer’s Ensemble).  I can’t wait!  Also on the Princeton show is the ever amazing Janus Trio.  Stay tuned tonewmorsecode.com for the latest telegraphs.

Lastly, this semester I’m filling in for Ayano Kataoka as lecturer in percussion at UMass Amherst. The studio is a great group of people: nice enough to put up with my terrible puns, at least.  I’m honored and humbled to be put in charge of such a great percussion ensemble.  If you’re in the area, please check out our joint concert with the UMass Symphony Band on December 4th at the UMass Fine Arts Center, featuring some classic chamber percussion repertoire.

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Hope to see you soon!

Mike

Tumblr

My new Tumblr is up and running.  Hopefully, it'll be synced with wordpress soon, but in the meantime, mosey over there for more current events and whimsical findings.

Paul!

  After spending countless hours working on making life more complicated, I’m really enjoying the simplicity of Paul Kerekes’ wonderful website, whose open and inviting atmosphere befits such a kind and generous person.  Can’t wait to get back into Paul’s lovely trio for himself and New Morse Code in a February installment of New Music New Haven!  Below is the first part of his forthcoming piece…

Mariel

H and I play some Golijov, in a live performance from the 2012 Norfolk Chamber Music Festival.  I'll post the video of what happened directly after this piece asap. More audio is on New Morse Code's site.  

Ruckus NYC

I'm extremely excited about Ruckus NYC,  a one-day conference and concert on art and the web happening September 29th at Cooper Union.  Old-friend and former No Signal co-conspirator Kevin Clark has wrangled a FULL day of interesting dialogue about how new media has affected the arts, tied it together with some sessions about making life as an artist work nowadays, and topped it off with a concert, featuring some amazing groups that have harnassed the web to build their ensemble, increase their visibility, and produce their unique art. I'm happy to say that New Morse Code will be playing a short set amidst a great line up featuring Sylvana Joyce and the Moment,  and Deb Oh and the Cavaliers, Florent Ghys, Jody Redhage, Kings, and old pal Zach Herchen.  Hannah and I are on between 8:30 and 9:30, and will be playing some  music by Osvaldo Golijov our own arrangement of one of  Andy Akiho's tunes.

Check out the full concert schedule here, and the conference proceedings here.

Here's what K has to say:

The entire arts world is a million tiny experiments in how to live the life of an artist, and we’re all waiting for the results. Ruckus NYC is our way of sneaking an early look at the data.

We’re bringing together a massive group of artists of all different kinds, and looking at their experiences. How does an animator who lives on grants, fellowships, and one-time gigs create a living and make the art he wants to make? How does a rock-band leader with a day-job find the time for her rehearsals, gigs, and songwriting? How do you balance playing the saxophone, teaching music, and being a recording engineer? How much work does it take to build an ad-supported arts blog? How do you balance different personas online when some of your art isn’t quite Safe For Work? How far will “1,000 True Fans” really get you?"

Kevin, Victoria and Zach made an AMAZING Kickstarter video, which serves Ruckus' box office and marketing department.  Hope to see you there!