Member News – September, 2020

LA Inception Orchestra, Virtual Big Band with Elliot Deutch, and Rivita Goyle

ASMAC Partners with Los Angeles Orchestra to Offer Educational Opportunities for Young Composers

ASMAC Board members met with Akira Nakano, Director of the Los Angeles Inception Orchestra in September, to talk about the two organizations collaborating to provide music educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth who have musical talent but little access to music lessons. The program is called the Young Composers Mentorship Program. Inception Orchestra 2020 mentors include Kevork Andonian, Jack Aron, Kate Bacich, Mae Edwards, Karen Elaine, Tommy Faragher, Tom Hiel, Ashley Jarmack, Mariam Kaddoura, Emer Kinsella, June Kuramoto, Amy Liu, Dana Lyn, Bevan Manson, Ethan Moffitt, Claire Morison, Akira Nakano, Rebecca Olason, Van-Anh Nguyen, Mark Olsen, Javier Oviedo, Ben Phelps, Jonathan Sacdalan, Preston Scales, Jean-Pierre Schmitt, Blythe Schulte, Jonathan Stehney, Maksim Velichkin, Genevieve Vincent, Joseph Vranas, and Hee Jin Yoon. If you would like to volunteer, Akira can be reached at akira@inceptionorchestra.org and by calling 213-356-1608

Elliot Deutsch:  How to Record a Virtual Big Band

ASMAC member Elliot Deutsch, composer, arranger, and bandleader, has prepared an instructional video with step-by-step instructions on how to successfully record a virtual jazz ensemble performance. All the music heard in the instructional video was recorded remotely using the methods being taught.  Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMGtLjxNr38

More news from Elliot Deutsch: Buddy Rich’s Time Check – Pandemonium Big Band

Time Check was composed by Don Menza Performed by the Pandemonium Big Band (Los Angeles, CA) as it was played by the Buddy Rich Big Band on the album “The Roar of 74.” Each musician recorded their own part at home while social distancing. Mixed by Jason Lee. Mastered by Will Borza at Borza Mastering. Pandemonium Big Band Saxophones: Dan Kaneyuki, Will Vargas, Jimmy Emerzian, Colin Kupka (solo), Caesar Martinez Trumpets: Mitch Cooper, Chad Willis, Dave Richards, Elliot Deutsch Trombones: Erik Hughes, Mike Briones, Sean Shackelford Bass Trombone: Robert Todd, Jr. Guitar: Will Brahm Piano: Scott Healy Bass: Brian Ward Drums: Greg Sadler (solo). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKb8LpoJ_qU&feature=youtu.be

News from ASMAC Member Rivita Goyle

Singer-songwriter-producer from the “colorful escapades of India,” Rivita Goyle has written a book titled “The Composer Cave Challenge” that contains 21 exercises for music composers of any level, from beginner to advance. “This book will help you brush up on your theoretical and creative skills and to create pieces out of the comfort zone.” It is available in both Kindle and print editions. She hosts a weekly Zoom, Composer Cave Meeting,  on Thursdays at 12 noon for composers which focuses on writing music (https://bit.ly/composercave)  For more information, visit Rivitamusic.com.