Music In Progress

Music In Progress

By Michael CookeArtsMusicPerforming ArtsMusic Commentary
Download on the App Store

Music In Progress episodes

  • Crafting the Dawn of Hope and Coda

    Writing the "Dawn of Hope" section of a tape and orchestra composition, focusing on orchestration, melodic development, and the creation of the coda. The author reflects on the creative process, upcoming revisions, and the excitement of nearing completion.

    6 min
  • Aspen Conference 2024: My Experience

    Attending the 2024 Aspen Composers Conference was a mixed experience: while it offered valuable insights and networking opportunities in a more intimate setting, it fell short in terms of attendance and organization. The trip was costly, but the experience had its highlights.

    15 min
  • Crafting Music Out of Rhythms and Hope

    Crafting Music Out of Rhythms and Hope

    This past week, I progressed on my "tape" and orchestra piece, refining rhythms and introducing motifs in the "Confronting Our Shadows" section. Moving to the "Dawn of Hope" section, I crafted hopeful chord progressions to fit an Obama speech. Feedback highlighted the intended hopeful yet tense atmosphere.

    6 min
  • Balancing Creative Pursuits: Progress Amidst Commitments

    Balancing Creative Pursuits: Progress Amidst Commitments

    I dedicated several days to "Confronting Our Shadows" focusing on matching rhythms from the “tape,” compromising between accuracy and playability. Now preparing for the Aspen Composers’ Conference and composing a new solo flute piece, "Aureole: Circle of Light."

    5 min
  • Confronting Our Shadows: Crafting Tension and Menace

    Confronting Our Shadows: Crafting Tension and Menace

    Composing the "Confronting Our Shadows" section of my tape and orchestra piece. Using decatonic and octatonic scales, I crafted tension and anxiety through high strings and harmonics. The piece progresses with complex orchestrations, leading to a more menacing, climactic conclusion.

    4 min
  • Reviving An Old Score: Breathing New Life into Past Compositions

    Reviving An Old Score: Breathing New Life into Past Compositions

    Returning from my travels, I updated my string quartet The Shadows of Japanese Children and other older scores, inspired by lessons from Dr. Mark Alburger's music. This project prepares for automated score sales on my website, featuring perusal scores, audio samples, and purchasing options.

    3 min
  • Overcoming Technical Hurdles and Creative Breakthroughs

    Overcoming Technical Hurdles and Creative Breakthroughs

    Resolved technical issues in Finale allowed significant progress on my "tape" and orchestra composition. The B-section of the second part includes Gregorian chants, while the intro to the third section addresses self-serving Presidents. Submitted the tape to the 2025 San Francisco Tape Music Festival.

    3 min
  • Serendipitous Moments: Unplanned Brilliance in Orchestral Composition

    Serendipitous Moments: Unplanned Brilliance in Orchestral Composition

    Developing a title for my orchestral and tape composition, I’ve refined sections and transcribed vocal lines into orchestral parts. A serendipitous moment reshaped the piece, highlighting spontaneity’s value. Next steps include further orchestration, aiming for a fall debut.

    4 min
  • Celestial Inspiration: Weaving the Eclipse into Musical Composition

    Celestial Inspiration: Weaving the Eclipse into Musical Composition

    Facing numerous setbacks including illness and travel, I drew inspiration from a transformative eclipse in Texas to craft a new orchestral variation based on my previous work, Sun & Moon. This adaptation, capturing the eclipse's awe, evolves the original movements into a vivid auditory journey, intertwining celestial events with musical creativity.

    4 min
  • Crescendos and Cadences: My Journey Through Music and Musings

    Crescendos and Cadences: My Journey Through Music and Musings

    Amid a bustling schedule, I've advanced my latest composition, completing the "tape" part and delving into orchestral integration, while balancing concert preparations and reflecting on feedback. This work, exploring themes from hope to societal fear, marks a significant phase in my creative journey, blending intricate emotions with musical innovation.

    4 min

About Music In Progress

From the publisher's feed

Uncovering the depths of the creative processes of composing music. Gain valuable insights with practical tips and techniques. Whether you’re a fellow musician, an enthusiast, or just curious about…