I purchased the Winds & Brass sample collection of the Vienna Symphonic Library, and I received them on Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, that was the same day that I returned that massive new monitor to Apple because it was defective. The replacement should arrive later today. (You can read about the defect here or here, if you’re curious for some reason.)

Without a monitor — I had given my old monitor to a friend already — I was unable to install any of the new samples on Wedneday. (Boo hoo, right?!) I ended up borrowing my old monitor back last night (how lame is that? “Here, have this nice monitor! I don’t need it anymore because I bought one that’s even bigger. Spend a few days really getting used to it, and then – sike! I’m taking it back! Ha ha ha!” — that was me.), and now that I have a display again, the samples are slowly installing.

It takes a long time to convert and install over 55 GB of samples. Yes, 55 GB. So far this morning, I’ve only been able to install Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Alto Flute, Oboe, and English Horn. I’m not even done with the first of four DVDs, and it’s been about three hours. They sound great so far, but I’m really excited to hear some of the weirder instruments — like Cimbasso. What the hell is a cimbasso?! It looks crazy, I have to say, and I can’t wait to hear what on earth it sounds like…

Tonight I’m going with Newman to hear Steve Bryant’s new piece for electric string quartet. Should be a hoot.

I’ve received a number of fun e-mails and blog comments about Sasparilla over the past few days, and I wanted to share a few…

{It sounds like} “Copland meets Corigliano in a dark alley where they beat up Spike Jones.” – JN

“Thanks again for writing the *coolest* band piece EVER!” – KP (Very kind, but I suspect she hasn’t heard Chunk.)

“I can certainly see/hear this one turned into a drum corps number, as well. Mark my words!” – KS (I hope he’s right. Ka-ching!)

“Isn’t it amusing that a composer can write “a la ‘Sleigh Ride’ ” and the trumpets would know exactly what to do?” – KS

“I was shooting for a horse with a hot poker up his rump.” – BP, player of said “a la ‘Sleigh Ride’ ” moment

“Sasparilla 9/11. Never Forget.” — TC (Long story. Don’t even ask.)

“I like “Sasparilla” a lot. This is the second of your compositions that I would like to animate with stick figures. The first was “Under the Rug.” The sax player did a nice job on the solo. Where did you learn those rim shots (I call ’em Hip Shots) during the sax solo? They don’t even do that anymore in the hoochie coochie bars.” – my Dad

“My husband really liked your piece, and he hates everything.” – audience member

“Are they feeding you down here in Southeast Texas? It certainly doesn’t look like it.” – somebody’s mom, post-concert

First up, a few interesting links to report.
Here’s a story about my recent visit with the composers at the University of Kansas.

This has to be my favorite blog entry in a long time. Any blog entry with me as the subject has to get a link!

The Cabrillo Contemporary Music Festival has announced their upcoming season. Here’s the program that includes the orchestra version of Redline Tango.

In other news, I’ve just posted a few new audio files. The big one is the premiere performance of “Sasparilla,” which happened on Sunday afternoon at Lamar University. Check it out, and let me know what you think.

I also just posted the recording of H. Robert Reynolds’ performance of “Redline Tango” at USC on April 3. There are absolutely no edits to the recording, and I pulled it directly from the CD of the concert. A lot of people have been asking to hear this when it arrived, so here it is.

Happy clicking!