Steve Danyew, Composer

Feb 28

We’re Not in Kansas Anymore!

Couldn’t resist that title. Anyway, yes, I am back home after a wonderful trip to KMEA in Wichita, KS. I flew in Thursday and just barely missed the Bethel College Wind Ensemble’s performance of Lauda! Ahhrrrrg! However, everyone I talked to raved about the Bethel Wind Ensemble, so I’m very happy for them and congratulate them on what sounds like a fantastic performance. My hat goes off to my good friend Timothy Shade who not only conducted that fine ensemble, but also played euphonium, trombone, and ran 2 clinics at the conference! He is an inspiring musician, full of love and passion for music, and I really enjoy working with him. I also had a great time visiting with Tim’s wife Gabby, Adrian Sandi (1st clarinet in the Wichita Symphony and a friend from ESM) and composer Derek Jenkins.

Derek, Tim, and I presented a clinic Friday morning on composing and commissioning, and here is a link to a handout I put together on the subject.

It was also great to meet new friends and colleagues and I look forward to some exciting new projects in the future. Hopefully I will be back to KMEA soon!

Feb 24

Panel Discussion – Composers on Composing & Commissioning

This morning I participated in a panel discussion at KMEA (Kansas All-State Conference) titled “Composers on Composing and Commissioning.” The session was organized by my friend Timothy Shade, Conductor of the Bethel College Wind Ensemble, who performed “Lauda” on Thursday at the conference. Composer Derek Jenkins and myself talked about writing for wind ensembles, our experience with commissioning, and fielded some excellent questions from the attendees. Derek is a wonderful composer, and it was a pleasure to hear more of his music and hear him discuss his compositional process.

I put together this handout: Thoughts On Commissioning, for the occasion. The handout is by no means an exhaustive tutorial on commissioning, but is instead just some general ideas and information for those interested in commissioning a piece of music. Many thanks to Tim for organizing the fun discussion and for all the folks that participated!

Feb 22

Off to Kansas

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I head out to Kansas for the KMEA Workshop. The Bethel College Wind Ensemble directed by Timothy Shade will be performing “Lauda” and I sure hope my plane is on time – I only have 40 minutes from landing to the start of the concert! Also, on Friday morning I will be participating in a panel discussion about composing and commissioning, organized by Tim. Here is an article that appeared in the Bethel College News yesterday.