Today I received a note from CPT Charles L. Stuppard, Commander of the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Ft. Story, who attended the Navy School of Music's concert band concert the other week at which my work Unbreakable was premiered. Here is most of his note, dated June 28th:

Dear Dr. Rosenhaus ( Read more... )

As noted in the previous entry, I was recently given the honor of giving the graduation address at the U.S. Navy School of Music in Norfolk, VA. A friend suggested I post it, and so I have. Some things you should know: CDR Ralph Ingraham is the Commanding Officer of the Navy School of Music. It was he who invited me to give the speech, which tied ( Read more... )

Yes, you read correctly. Thirty years as a composer. 1980 was the year I revised something I had written as undergrad and declared it my first "official" concert piece (For Clarinet Solo). That was also the year I completed my Masters thesis work, Woodwind Quintet No. 1. I have worked hard but I have also been fortunate in many ways. Especially ( Read more... )

This past weekend I saw a production of Rent done at Sacred Heart University (I was surprised that they did it "full-out," but I was not surprised that they did it well). It got me thinking:

* Jonathan Larson died, tragically, just before the show originally opened. That Rent is a very good and moving show there is no doubt. What is in question is ( Read more... )

As I have posted elsewhere, I am amazed and humbled by the turn my composing career has taken as of late.

Today I found out that I have been awarded the Con Edison Composer Residency at Flushing Town Hall (in Queens). To quote the program's literature: "New York City-based composers in all music genres are invited to apply for one of six (6) three ( Read more... )

* Finished Eb book (Etude Project, Vol. 1); Mid-way through F book.

* Finished first draft of The Secret Life of Bees for piano, Laura Leon. Not bad, methinks. (Sounds tonal but it's really twelve-tone tonality; very useful ttt is.)

* Got a couple of leads for funding for the Australia trip (for premiere of the Lute Concerto).

Edited to Add:* ( Read more... )

* Finished the B-flat book for The Etude Project. On to the E-flat book.

* Tried working on the piano piece. More erasing than writing today, but that will change soon (I am hopeful).

* Did not watch the Super Bowl. Did see a bit of the Puppy Bowl online though.

Finally had a chance to watch the President's State of the Union address (on the New York Times website, complete with a simultaneous transcript). Some random thoughts ( Read more... )

Charles Isherwood wrote an interesting essay published in today's New York TImes; it's called "Cue the Chorus: The Musical Endures" and I thought I would comment as I go read through it again. Please note that these are my opinions. That and a Metrocard will get you on the NYC subway system ( Read more... )

Busy. So are you, so I'll keep this brief:

* Finished preparing In the Cave of Aeolus, for flute quartet, for publication. Title (and movement sub-titles) are based on Greek mythology.

* Finished preparing Undercurrents, for (SATB) saxophone quartet, also for publication.

*Finished recomposing Volume 1 of The Etude Project and preparing the ( Read more... )