It was last October, 2006, when I wrote about the inception of the William Bolcom 'Choral Fantasy for Piano, Orchestra and Chorus'. It has taken twists and turns, though I can safely say that it seems highly likely the Pacific Symphony will be the lead orchestra to do the premiere in the fall of 2010. As this is the first global project of its kind, there is interest in various countries, and as the project progresses, it will encompass the US and abroad. To date, the Colorado Symphony has joined the co-commissioning project, and representing young orchestras, the University of Kentucky at Lexington wishes to be in the project. It promises to be a special work and orchestras are now beginning to take interest since a world premiere orchestra has been shared.

It looks like the Zwilich 'Millennium Fantasy', 'Peanuts Gallery' and 'Images for Two Pianos and Orchestra' will finally get recorded. I will be the pianist for the cd, set for sessions in 2009. The Richard Danielpour Concerto will also be premiered in 2009, and it seems highly likely the Pacific Symphony shall be the premiere orchestra. This orchestra has become one of the most important orchestras in the US, and I am extremly excited to do these works with them and their wonderful maestro, Carl St. Clair.

Found a wonderful set of pieces which combine classical well-known pieces with the most recognizable holiday songs. The 'Classical Carols' were expertly created by one Carolyne M. Taylor, and I recorded a large set for Koch Entertainment. The cd promises to be out on October 9 in the US, and globally as well through the later months of this year.

For choruses wondering where they can find music for Hanukkah, I've penned a choral piece that blends Hanukkah and Christmas titled, 'Ho Ho Hanukah! Ho Ho Christmas!', which I believe Carl Fischer plans to publish. The verses use the tender hanukah song, 'Rock of Ages', and the main chorus section is a 'Christmas-like' theme which is original and has sleigh bells to add holiday magic. One other choral piece I composed, 'Different Kind of Hero', has a Gospel flavor to it. Carl Fischer is working with me on it at the moment, yet my original writing is too difficult and rhythmically challening, so we're working on simplifying it so it can be easily addressed by young choirs.

Something that is opening unusual avenues in touring is adding visits to choirs when I travel to orchestras. Seems some of the choirs are interested to sing one of my holiday pieces, 'Christmas In A Minute' with the orchestras I visit when they have holiday concerts. When I visit with the orchestras to perform concerti, I take time to visit with the choirs that will perform the holiday piece later in the season to coach them through the piece. It's great fun! I enjoy meeting the choirs, and it seems to be opening the orchestra to new audiences.

Quite some time ago, I had posted a topic about Claude Bolling's Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano--which I enjoy immensely. Finally, I am discussing the idea to record it with another Bolling suite for a new cd project--will share when this is a real project. The flute suite was a big hit in the mid-1970s when Jean-Pierre Rampal recorded it for CBS Masterworks, Claude Bolling on piano. I think it can be popular again amongst new fans of the jazz idiom.

I find it fascinating to see the world of classical music go on--in the way of new technology, downloads, new music, new artists. Although we continue to believe there's a decline in audience, there still seems to be many organizations thriving, and the playing is on a high level. I am looking forward to visiting many orchestras in the 2007-08 season, mostly with the Lowell Liebermann Third Piano Concerto, but also with the Beethoven 5, Rachmaninoff 3, prokofieff 3, Keith Emerson, Leroy Anderson, Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin Concerto in F, and Grieg Piano Concerto.

On the homefront, it is amazing to see the kids get older--I see much of myself and my wife in them, yet they are their own people, with their own set of ideas and traits. What I saw in the 1960s and 1970s and 1980s are different in some ways from their internet/iPod world of the 2000s. We keep sure to maintain traditional values in a world that is more complex and busy compared to the era we came from. I remember 8am television, Captain Kamgaroo and others. Now, it's all news and morning shows, CNN, MSNBC, and less on television entertainment as we knew it. Remember Variety shows? Well, I have found YouTube to house many old shows that I once enjoyed. Check out some of the Mel Brooks material, for example, the 2000 Year Old Man, and the History of the World. I found Victor Borge and Liberace clips as well. The classical music clips are wonderful too.

Happy summer to everyone!