Out with the old...

The end of one year and the beginning of another is always a time of reflection for me.  There have been years when I found myself wallowing in a bit of self-pity at things that were not accomplished but such was not the case at the end of 2012.  Instead, I realized that a dream had been seen through to completion - that of launching a second recording out into the world. 

One thing that will definitely be different is that the pile of books full of Christmas arrangements, the pile that has been sitting on my Petrof since about November 2011, will now be put back on the shelf.  That feels both very good and very odd at the same time.

What I've been up to...

Well, my readers, you haven't heard much from me in quite awhile. The photo tells part of the story: I've been busy with copyright licensing and other paperwork for the new CD. In addition, the design, layout and content for the liner notes and traycard (back of the CD case) had to be written, revised, edited and submitted to the manufacturer.

In red on a paper in the photo to the left you see "Book 1st Pres".  The biggest highlights of my musical career have been at First Presbyterian Church here in Winnipeg.  I gave my grad recital there on April 2, 1981 on the wonderful Beckerath pipe organ. Twenty-five years later, on April 2, 2006 I released my first CD, Notes of Faith. The launch celebration concert was also at First Church.  Once again I'll be playing in this lovely space to launch my new CD. The details are below.

After the studio, then what?

In the days and weeks leading up to my time in the recording studio, all I could really focus on was being ready to record.  Are the pieces all well-prepared and ready to go?  No?  Then more practise time was the order of the day.  However, there are many parts to this project and recording was just the first.  I suppose if I wasn't 'the one' in charge of this project, that is to say, if I had a manager, or a producer, my work might be finished when the actual recording was done.  As it is, the responsibility of checking each track falls to me, and me alone.  You can see from the photo on the left what the dining room table looked like when I was in the midst of listening, checking, following the score, etc. making sure that every track was completed to my satisfaction.

Other parts of the CD project still on the to-do list (in no particular order) are things like cover image, title, liner notes, getting the mastering done, and last (and most intimidating), requesting and obtaining mechanical licensing for each track.  No doubt you'll hear from me again as I continue through this musical adventure!