Flute 360

In today's episode, Heidi talks with Joey who is a composer, pianist, and an educator who currently lives in Houston, Texas. They talk about his compositional process, how music is a great creative outlet, and his commission for the Myrna Brown competition (TFS)! Listen to today's episode to hear more!

Episode 39 – Main Points:

• 0:54 – Welcome!
• 1:28 – Three Images (Saxophone Octet)
• 4:22 – Joey teaches at Houston Community College
• 7:17 – Question: What is your compositional process like?
• 7:26 – "The blank page can be so daunting!" – Joey
• 8:44 – "I can do whatever I want." – Joey
• 9:00 – "I try to explore a new area whether it's harmony or a musical language." – Joey
• 12:20 – Question: What are your goals when writing for the flute?
• 12:25 – "I think the flute is a beautiful instrument that has a lot of potential in terms of expressivity." – Joey
• 13:54 – "When I write for any instrument I try to make it as idiomatic as possible." – Joey
• 15:22 – Joey talks about his solo flute piece, "Mourning."
• 16:30 – Composer: George Crumb
• 17:11 – Original title of "Mourning" was going to be "Keening."
• 18:45 – Composer's thought process.
• 19:46 – "We have this ability as humans to express our emotions very deeply." – Joey
• 21:14 – Composer: Chopin
• 21:34 – "Mourning" for solo flute
• 21:49 – Joey's comments about his solo flute piece.
• 24:33 – Contact Joey if you want to purchase his work, "Mourning."
• 25:02 – Question: What advice would you give to the budding new composer?
• 25:05 – "Do as many things as possible!" – Joey
• 25:24 – Lamar University – Beaumont, TX
• 26:28 – "Do your music theory and aural skills homework." – Joey
• 26:52 – "Take everyone in the [music] department to coffee!" – Joey
• 28:37 – "Life is about those relationships...and to better ourselves!" – Joey
• 30:43 – Graham Reynolds – Austin, TX
• 32:04 – Iceberg Analogy
• 33:19 – "Showing up even when you don't want to show up." – Heidi
• 33:40 – Joey asks Heidi a question.
• 33:55 – "Put your flute down, go outside and get fresh air, eat dark chocolate, and journal." – Heidi
• 36:02 – Joey's latest commission through the Texas Flute Society's Myrna Brown Competition.
• 38:00 – Texas Flute Society's flute festival dates: May 16-18, 2019 at TWU.
• 39:39 – Question: Any last comments and/or suggestions?
• 39:55 – "It's hard work, but it's worth it if you stick with it." – Joey
• 40:45 – Picks!
• 41:21 – Aaron Copland's Book: "What to Listen for in Music."
• 44:15 – "The music world is very, very small!" – Joey

Picks:

Joey

• Soup!
• Book: "The Joy of Music" by Leonard Bernstein

Heidi

• Albert King's 1968 Album: Live Wire/Blues Power
  • "Blues Sunrise"
• Audible: The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan

Episode 39 – Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Joel Love's Website
• Contact Joey!
• Joel Love's Twitter
• Mourning for Flute Solo by Love
• Three Images for Saxophone Octet by Love (Performed at Texas Tech University)
• Houston Community College's Southwest College
• Heidi Kay Begay's Website

Episode 39 – Sponsors:

• J&K Productions' Website

Flute 360 | Episode 38: "An Interview with Dr. Matthew Santa"

In today's episode, Heidi talks with Dr. Matthew Santa who is Professor of Music Theory and Chair of the Music Theory and Composition Area at the Texas Tech University School of Music (Lubbock, Texas, USA). Matt talks about his compositional process, his Sonata for Flute and Piano, and advice for young composers! Check out today's episode!

Episode 38 – Main Points:

• 0:55 – Snow in Lubbock, TX!
• 1:45 – "I love thinking about the strategy of music: composing, teaching, playing, and making music." – Matt
• 2:04 – Question: Please tell us your background, your main instrument, and how you got into composing?
• 2:13 – Matt's musical background.
• 4:09 – Question: What is your compositional process like?
• 4:19 – "I start with the text if I am writing for voice." – Matt
• 5:00 – "In college, I experimented with starting with a block of meter changes." – Matt
• 5:58 – Question: How do you choose the block of time signatures?
• 6:34 – Question: How did you come to write your Sonata for Flute and Piano?
• 7:00 – "I wrote the flute sonata for [my wife, Lisa]." – Matt
• 8:01 – "I used the metrical block strategy for the Flute Sonata!" – Matt
• 8:11 – Question
• 8:28 – Answer
• 9:16 – Question: Do you ever feel like Robert and Clara Schumann?
• 10:00 – NFA's Flute Convention (2016)
• 10:55 – Question: What are your goals and intentions when writing for the flute?
• 11:19 – "I want to write music that people would be excited to listen to and play." – Matt
• 12:13 – Daniel Dorff's Episode 35!
• 12:42 – Question:What's your favorite piece of all your compositions?
• 12:47 – Matt's answer.
• 13:25 – Question: Any suggestions for the budding new composer?
• 13:31 – "Finish all the pieces that you start." – Matt
• 14:15 – Question: Is there a common issue that you see among composition students when you work with them on their pieces?
• 14:49 – "Finish what you start...and write A LOT!" – Matt
• 15:05 – Louisiana State University's School of Music
• 15:54 – "...the discipline piece is huge!" – Matt
• 17:12 – Matthew's colleague: Michael Berry (University of Washington)
• 17:44 – "The initial four chords...is the chord progression found in the 2nd movement of my Flute Sonata!" – Matt
• 18:32 – Question: Any last comments and/or suggestions that you would like to share?
• 18:51 – Matt's answer.
• 19:27 – Jessye Norman singing, "When I am Laid in Earth" by Purcell.
• 19:35 – Brahms' Violin Concerto.
• 23:06 – Picks!

Picks:

Matt

• Album: Introducing Brad Mehldau (1995)
• Book: Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond (1997)
• Book: Organized Time: Rhythm, Tonality, and Form by Jason Yust (2018)

Heidi

• Documentary: Man on Wire (2008)
• Audible Book: Hope in the Dark by Craig Groeschel

Episode 38 – Resources:

• Texas Tech University's Music Theory Department
• Santa's Biography
• Santa's Course Resources
• Heidi Kay Begay's Website

Episode 38 – Sponsors:

• J&K Productions' Website

Flute 360 | Episode 37: "An Interview with Valerie Coleman" (40:37)

In today's episode, Heidi talks with Professor Valerie Coleman who is a flutist, composer, and teacher. In August of 2018, she was appointed as Assistant Professor of Performance, Chamber Music, and Entrepreneurship at Frost School of Music in Miami, Florida! Today, Heidi and Valerie talk about the creative process and Valerie's past and current projects!

Episode 37 – Main Points:

• 1:00 – Welcome!
• 1:17 – Frost School of Music, FL
• 2:12 – Valerie's Background
• 2:59 – Trudy Kane, flutist
• 3:06 – Flute New Music Consortium
• 3:18 – Carol Wincenc, flutist
• 4:00 – NFA: 2018 Convention in Orlando
• 4:25 – Imani Winds
• 5:48 – "Taking risks is saying: Make a commitment!" – Valerie
• 6:45 – Marcel Moyse, flutist
• 7:34 – Imposter syndrome!
• 7:58 – "Proper practice prevents piss poor performance!" – Quote
• 9:06 – Question: How did you get into composing?
• 9:12 – Valerie's Answer
• 12:04 – Valerie's mother runs a daycare (going strong for 53 years)!
• 14:16 – Question: What is your writing process like?
• 14:33 – Valerie's Answer
• 14:58 – Reference to Gary Schocker's Episode 36 – check it out here!
• 18:20 – Being aware of what you are doing with your body!
• 19:15 – Improvise!
• 23:40 – Question: What is your favorite composition?
• 24:18 – Valerie's Answer
• 24:38 – "Everything has its season!" – Valerie
• 25:57 – Henri Matisse, French artist
• 27:09 – Question: Any suggestions for the budding new composer?
• 27:27 – Gary Schocker, flutist
• 27:45 – "You are already creative!" – Valerie
• 28:52 – Dutilleux's Sonatine for flute and piano – purchase here!
• 29:50 – "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert
• 33:00 – Question: Any last comments?
• 33:13 – Valerie Coleman, Amanda Harberg, and Nicole Chamberlain's course - Summer of 2020! (University of South Carolina – 1st year!)
• 34:32 – Dedication to Katherine Hoover!
• 39:10 – Conclusion

Episode 37 – Picks:

Heidi

• Frankincense and Myrrh Essential Oils!

Episode 37 – Resources Mentioned:

• "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Frost School of Music at The University of Miami
• Valerie Coleman's Website
• Frost School of Music's News - Valerie Coleman
• YouTube Video: "Celebrating Women Composers"
• Valerie Coleman Performs "Fanmi Imèn" at NFA (2018)
• Imani Winds
• Imani Winds Perform "Umoja"
• Heidi Kay Begay's Website

Episode 37 – Sponsors:

• J&K Productions' Website

Flute 360 | Episode 36: "An Interview with Gary Schocker" (42:32)

In today's episode, Heidi talks with Gary Schocker who is a flutist, composer, teacher, pianist, and harpist. Topics include music education, compositional process, and musicality. Check out today's episode to hear more!

Episode 36 – Main Points:

• 1:26 – Welcome!
• 1:28 – Question 1: Please share with us your background!
• 1:46 – Gary's Background
• 2:00 – Gary's first teacher was his father.
• 2:20 – Gary studied with Julius Baker.
• 2:30 – The Juilliard School of Music
• 3:35 – Schocker's "Regrets and Resolutions"
• 3:50 – Music for flute and piano (published and unpublished) by Gary.
• 5:06 – "I am always improving my flute technique." – Gary
• 5:51 – "It's an exploration...I've learned a lot about my hands when playing the harp." – Gary
• 6:57 – Emily Mitchell, harpist
• 8:05 – Composer: Chopin
• 8:32 – Composer: Luis Calvo & his piece "Malvaloca"
• 10:10 – Harp & Guitar Duet, "Hypnotized" by Gary Schocker (Video & Music)
• 10:58 – Question 2: What is your compositional process like?
• 11:16 – Answer
• 13:57 – Question 3: Is there a specific piece that is your favorite?
• 14:09 – Answer
• 14:42 – Gary's "Three Dances for Two Flutes"
• 15:44 – Gary loves Telemann (Telemann's Fantasies)
• 16:56 – Question 4
• 17:30 – Gary's "Sonatas No. 8 and No. 9"
• 17:49 – Gary's "Airborne"
• 18:09 – Gary's "Musique Française"
• 18:21 – Gary's "Flutes in the Garden" for three flutes
• 19:30 – "The nature of the flute is ultimately to float!" – Gary
• 21:00 – Question 5: Any advice for the budding new composer?
• 22:44 – Answer
• 24:49 – Alexander Technique
• 25:32 – Gary talks about his approach to teaching.
• 26:58 – Composer: David Diamond
• 30:09 – "Sensitivity is a big part of music." – Gary
• 33:22 – Question 6: Any last suggestions and/or comments?
• 33:33 – Answer
• 34:20 – Chaminade's Concertino
• 35:45 – "[Music] really puts you in your own milieu!" – Gary
• 36:44 – Picks!
• 38:52 – Jake and Gabe Fridkis
• 41:20 – Conclusion

Episode 36 – Picks:

Gary

• Old Haynes Flutes!

Heidi

• To rekindle old relationships with a friend, colleague, or mentor & to create a space for new relationships to form!

Episode 36 – Resources Mentioned:

• Gary Schocker's Website
• Gary Schocker's Twitter

Episode 36 – Sponsors:

• J&K Productions' Website

Flute 360 | Episode 35: "An Interview with Daniel Dorff" (1:20:50)

In today's episode, Heidi talks with Daniel Dorff who is a composer, an editor for Theodore Presser Company, clarinetist, and saxophonist. Heidi and Daniel talk about his musical background, compositional process, his works, and much more! Check out today's episode for more details.

Episode 35 – Main Points:

• 0:53 – Introduction
• 1:25 – Daniel Dorff's Background
• 3:51 – Picture of Daniel playing "Locomotive Breath" (Image 6)
• 6:55 – Composer: Paul Creston
• 8:50 – Cornell University's Department of Music
• 9:09 – University of Pennsylvania's Department of Music
• 9:11 – Composer: George Crumb
• 11:03 – Composers: Vincent Persichetti, David Diamond, Rochberg, and Crumb
• 11:27 – Question: What is your compositional process like?
• 13:00 – Metaphor: "Write drunk, edit sober."
• 16:48 – Comparison to the other arts (literature, painting, sculpting, and more).
• 18:55 – "Music is liquid architecture; Architecture is frozen music." – Goethe
• 19:33 – Theodore Presser Company
• 21:04 – Finale and Sibelius
• 21:56 – "I don't think about technology when I compose." – Daniel
• 23:41 – Your unique voice and expressing your own story!
• 24:31 – Question: What's the story behind your piano?
• 24:59 – Steinway piano from 1912.
• 25:29 – Composers: Rachmaninoff, Ravel, and others!
• 26:58 – Composer: Lowell Liebermann
• 29:10 – Question: What are your goals and intentions when writing for the flute?
• 29:34 – Answer
• 3005 – Ibert's Concertino for Saxophone
• 31:22 – "I want to write and I want to stretch the repertoire. I want to write music that people want to play." – Daniel
• 31:44 – "What is the special potential for that particular instrument?" – Daniel
• 32:45 – "I just love the sound of music. It's like taking a warm bath and smelling the perfume and it's so sensual – the sound of music. It's beauty, it's escapism, it's make-believe, happy places..." – Daniel
• 33:52 – Prokoviev's & Poulenc's Flute Sonatas
• 34:13 – Debussy's "Syrinx" & Bach's "Partita in a minor"
• 36:39 – Possible ballet commissions?
• 36:47 – Klimt's "Der Kuss" (1908)
• 37:19 – Daniel's orchestral piece based on Klimt's "Der Kuss" ("The Kiss")
• 38:15 – Question
• 39:22 – Answer
• 41:21 – "Vive la différence!"
• 42:09 – Daniel Dorff's "Sonata (Three Lakes)" for Flute and Piano
• 43:05 – Viviana Guzman's interview with Christina Jennings
• 44:42 – "Pretend that I'm dead and play it that way." – Daniel
• 49:00 – Question
• 50:00 – Answer
• 52:37 – True Confessions!
• 53:42 – Question: What advice would you give to the budding new composer?
• 54:00 – Advice for the young composer who's considering this career path.
• 55:34 – "Do you want to be a composer, or do you want to compose?" – Daniel's Professor
• 57:13 – Career Advice
• 57:40 – Iceberg Analogy
• 59:06 – "...you might as well have Ethel Merman singing it!" – Daniel
• 1:00:00 – Composers: Mouquet and Chaminade
• 1:01:19 – Question
• 1:01:40 – Answer
• 1:03:50 – Spring Festival: The Joy of Discovery
• 1:05:27 – Daniel's musical discovery about his own piece "Sonata (Three Lakes)"
• 1:08:23 – Daniel shares a musical story.
• 1:08:39 – Composer: Dvorak
• 1:09:28 – Dvorak's Cello Concerto
• 1:10:15 – Martinu's Flute Sonata & Trio for Flute, Cello, & Piano
• 1:11:15 – Composer: Brahms
• 1:12:57 – Conclusion
• 1:14:00 – Picks!

Picks:

Daniel

• Arnica Cream for Pain Relief

Heidi

• Movie: Leave No Trace
• Book: Drive by Daniel Pink

Episode 35 – Resources Mentioned:

• Heidi Kay Begay's Website
• J&K Productions' Website
• Daniel Dorff's Concertino for Flute and Orchestra - Performed by Jasmine Choi
• Daniel Dorff's Website

Flute 360 | Episode 34: "An Interview with Christopher Caliendo" (52:42)

In today's episode, Heidi talks with Christopher Caliendo who is a guitarist, composer, and a banker. He currently resides in California with his wife (Kristin) and son (Christian Paul). Christopher and Heidi talk about his background, compositional process, and advice for performers and composers alike. Check out today's episode for more details!

Episode 34 – Main Points:

• 1:48 – The University of Arizona's Fred Fox School of Music
• 2:05 – Question 1: Christopher's Background
• 2:35 – Italians are in-love with melody.
• 4:50 – UCLA's The Herb Albert School of Music
• 7:54 – "...that's great, how about being the first Caliendo!"
• 10:43 – Caliendo Publishing filling a niche.
• 11:39 – "I don't see the orchestra surviving..."
• 12:25 – Sheridan Stokes, flutist
• 13:54 – 13 Flute Sonatas by Caliendo
• 15:46 – God & Music
• 16:16 – Wealth Management
• 18:07 – Presentation: "how is music interwoven into man's physical survival."
• 19:19 – Charles Ives
• 19:36 – Kristin Caliendo
• 23:35 – Keep life balanced.
• 24:41 – Invest (time and money) all the time!
• 25:39 – Question 2: What is your compositional process like?
• 25:56 – Each commission and idiom is different.
• 32:35 – Having access to the database is king.
• 33:46 – Question 3: What are your goals when composing for the flute?
• 34:38 – "Caliendo is an idea writer!" – Bryan Pezzone, pianist
• 35:10 – Flutists: Carol Wincenc, Amy Porter, Viviana Guzman, Marianne Gedigian
• 36:07 – Amy Porter's performance of the Ghost Sonata.
• 39:35 – Any advice you would give to the budding new composer?
• 39:47 – Childhood and Adulthood.
• 45:05 – Comics, ice cream, guitar, and cooking Italian food!
• 47:36 – Being an entrepreneur as a musician.
• 52:46 – We are always learning – be a sponge!

Picks:

Christopher

• Movie: "Tous les matins du monde" (1991)
• Trello

Heidi

• Kathy Blocki's Pneumo Pro

Episode 34 – Resources Mentioned:

• Heidi Kay Begay's Website
• J&K Productions' Website
• Christopher Caliendo's YouTube Channel
• 2t Academy's Twitter

Flute 360 | Episode 33: "An Interview with Nicole Chamberlain" (32:14)

In today's episode, Heidi talks with Nicole Chamberlain who is a flutist and a composer who resides in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.). She received her Bachelor's in Music Composition from the University of Georgia. To read Nicole's full biography, please click here.

Episode 33 – Main Points:

• 1:03 – Nicole's Background
• 1:48 – Nicole has written for larger ensembles, too!
• 2:54 – Question: Why did you choose the flute?
• 3:31 – "The clarinet was available to me at the time." – Nicole
• 6:10 – "I sing, and I use a keyboard for pitch references and harmonies." – Nicole
• 6:49 – Question: What inspired you to start composing?
• 7:07 – "I thought movie composing was the way to go." – Nicole
• 9:17 – Composing for animation was an experience.
• 9:49 – Question: What's your compositional process like?
• 10:29 – Nicole answers the question.
• 11:27 – "I start improvising." – Nicole
• 12:00 – Commissioned works.
• 13:10 – A piece for tuba and fixed media (electronics) by Nicole.
• 14:04 – Seeing the process/piece unfold from start to finish is exhilarating.
• 14:33 – "That is the payoff for me – hearing my piece played live." – Nicole
• 14:49 – A story about John Mackey.
• 15:39 – Heidi's composition friend.
• 16:23 – Nicole playing with Dr. Mary Matthews.
• 17:18 – Question: Do you have a composition that is your all-time favorite?
• 17:32 – Nicole answers the question.
• 17:45 – Three-Nine Line for flute and piano (flute sonata)
• 18:31 – Orchestral work: Ogeechee by Nicole
• 19:17 – Elizabeth Gilbert's book: Big Magic
• 20:03 – Question: For the budding new composer what advice would you give them?
• 20:20 – "Write everyday even when it doesn't sound good." – Nicole
• 21:14 – "Write for yourself." – Nicole
• 21:40 – Advice from Joan Tower.
• 22:00 – "Organize your website via instrument." – Nicole
• 22:43 – "Wail!" for Flute and Trombone
• 23:16 – "It's hard to use your imagination if you use a MIDI file." – Nicole
• 23:40 – Heidi's creative student.
• 25:52 – "It's a whole process and being patient with yourself." – Nicole
• 25:58 – "I have a hard time calling myself a composer, because it seems a bit too much." – Nicole
• 26:08 – Picks!

Picks:

Nicole

• Aaron Copland's Autobiography in 2 volumes: 1900-1942 and Since 1943
• Website: Mymusicstaff.com

Heidi

Essential Oils:

• Lemongrass
• Clary Sage

Episode 33 – Resources Mentioned:

• Nicole Chamberlain's Website
• Nicole Chamberlain's YouTube Channel
• Nicole Chamberlain's Album
• Heidi Kay Begay's Website
• J&K Productions' Website

Flute 360 | Episode 32: "Journal Entry 7" (9:25)

In today's episode, Heidi talks about using technology within your lessons to help your students improve musically. She lists a few websites and technological tools that you can incorporate in-and-out of your student's lessons.

Finally, Heidi will be in the Chicago-land area the last week of February 2019 giving presentations and teaching! If you are interested in scheduling an event with me, please feel free to e-mail at [email protected]. Thanks!

Episode 32 – Main Points:

• 0:53 – Incorporating technology into lessons!
• 1:05 - Musictheory.net
• 1:55 – Quizzes online
• 2:46 – Record lessons & send
• 4:31 – Encourage students to record
• 6:35 – Book recommendations

Episode 32 – Resources Mentioned & Picks:

• Musictheory.net
• "The Art of Possibility" by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander
• "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Heidi Kay Begay's Website
• J&K Productions' Website

Flute 360 | Episode 31: "Journal Entry 6" (13:31)

In today's episode, Heidi shares that she is in the 2nd week of using Invisalign, and how it is affecting her flute playing. The challenges that come with playing with braces are many, but the opportunity to experience this challenge is great for many reasons. She goes into detail of the benefits she is seeing already just two weeks into this new orthodontic procedure.

Episode 31 – Main Points:

• 0:48 – Invisalign!
• 1:38 – New Challenges / New Seasons
• 2:48 – Teeth and our anatomy
• 4:23 – Advice for flutists who wear braces.
• 5:34 – Book
• 7:18 – Trip to Greece – Nike shoes: yay or nay?
• 8:32 – Being vulnerable as a teacher.
• 11:00 – Sarah McKoin: "Meet the student where they are!"
• 12:20 – E-mail: [email protected]

Episode 31 – Resources Mentioned & Picks:

• Invisalign
• Book: Illustrated Flute Playing by Robin Soldan and Jeanie Mellersh
• TTU's School of Music
• Heidi Kay Begay's Website
• J&K Productions' Website

Flute 360 | Episode 30: "Journal Entry 5" (4:28)

In today's episode, Heidi discusses the start of her music listening journal. She encourages young musicians to listen to compositions from start to finish. This way the listener follows the composer along their musical journey. For example, not only listening to all of Beethoven's Symphony No. 1 in its entirety, (Mvts. 1-4) but also listening to Beethoven's 9 symphonies in order. This gives the listener a new perspective of Beethoven's writing within this genre.

Episode 30 – Main Points:

• 0:48 – Music Listening Journal
  • Microsoft Word Notebook
• 1:11 – Listening to musical compositions from start to finish.
• 2:17 – All of Beethoven's 9 Symphonies
• 3:14 – Pick: Podcast – Art Music Perspectives (Episodes 1-4)
  • Messiaen's Compositions

Episode 30 – Resources Mentioned & Picks:

• Holst's The Planets
• Beethoven's 9 Symphonies
• Hommage à Messiaen CD
• Podcast: Art Music Perspectives
• Heidi Kay Begay's Website
• J&K Productions' Website