So thanks to Dr. Jay Dorfman’s (while he was still at Kent)class this past summer, I created an interdisciplinary unit on the Trail of Tears to enrich my ensemble’s studying of two pieces of music, “The Trail of Tears” by James Barnes and “Etowah” by Brian Balmages. For those of you unfamiliar with the piece by Barnes, I highly recommend […]
I was honored to be asked by friend and colleague Drew Fennell to write for the River City Youth Brass Band. They will present “A Frontier Fought and A City Found” on May 31, 2009 of this year. The piece is a historical sonic potrait of the battles fought between the British and the French during the 1750’s around Pittsburgh. […]
T.H.E. Journal featured the “Skype Concert” held at Mercer High School back on May 6, 2008. This ground-breaking event staged with the help of Dr. Joseph Pisano (he’s visionary!), the wonderful students at Mercer MS-HS, and composers Brian Balmages, Scott Watson, and Andrew Boysen Jr. is continuing to make headlines! Read all about by clicking here!
The Olympic Games have been nothing short of amazing displays by amazing athletes. Phelps certainly has claimed his spot at the front of the class with his amazing swims over the first 8 nights of these games. Watching others go through the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” (Thanks Jim! Rest in peace!) is as real as it […]
As I hinted at earlier this summer, the May 6th concert at Mercer was great. The students delivered some wonderful performances of music by Julie Giroux, Quincy Hilliard, Andrew Boysen, Willie Owens, Brian Balmages, Scott Watson, and Patrick Burns. The other part of the equation was the willingness of a great friend and colleague make an idea a reality with […]
