That Input Grind

I've been continuing to input notes into Finale from the 1st mvmt of Tchaik V. It's turning out to be quite an endeavor. I will continue to post updates as I get closer to finishing the first movement.

In the meantime, I've been messing around with the string sound libraries within Kontakt. I think I'm going to create a small track of a few movements of the String Orchestra piece that I copied into Finale for Joe Kreines. Adding this side project will give me a little more experience with Kontakt and manipulating the sounds within. Will update with audio files as this progresses!

Working with Joseph Kreines

Copy Work Turned In

Last weekend I visited the renowned composer and educator, Joseph Kreines to present my first batch of copy work for him.

Within Finale, I completed a piano score and parts for Kreines' transcription of Edward Elgar's Nimrod from Enigma Variations for an accompanied soloist, along with an original piece containing 6 movements of Scottish Folk Songs for String Orchestra.

Here is a link to download the PDFs of the scores I created:

The Great News!

After taking a look at my work, Mr. Kreines offered me a very large scale transcription project that will probably take months to complete. He asked me to use his notes within the original score to transcribe the first 3 movements of Tchaikovsky's  Symphony No. 5 from symphony orchestra to wind band. Around 45 minutes long, creating a transcription Tchaik 5 is a much grander endeavor than what this independent study is designed to be. 

After discussion with my professor, Pat Pagano, I've decided to only create a recording (using various VSTs within Logic) of a portion of the first movement of the symphony. This recording will utilize much of the original music along with some of my own additions to fulfill the "Digital Arts and Sciences" aspect of this independent study. More updates on this exciting development soon! 

Getting Started in Finale

Today I began copying a handwritten transcription by Joseph Kreines over into Finale. The piece is a transcription for young chamber ensemble of the Nimrod movement from Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations.

Each person has their own technique to writing out notation in Finale or Sibelius. My general system is to tape the music that I'm copying (if applicable to situation) to screen, use my left hand to assign rhythmic values on the num pad, and use my right hand to assign pitch values on my M-Audio Keystation 61. I've gotten pretty quick at it!

^ My set up will always consist of coffee and lots of it.

^Utilizing Kontakt Player and Garitan Aria Player within Finale to some decent sample sounds rather than the stock ones provided with Finale. Even with just a few tweaks, the sounds aren't half bad!

I'm almost finished with the first transcription out of the two I need to turn in to Mr. Kreines next week.

Intro

This blog will serve as a meeting place for myself and Professor Patrick Pagano at the Digital Worlds Institute at UF. During this spring 2015 semester I have undertaken a project in which an orchestral piece will be written and ultimately recorded through the use of Virtual Studio Technologies (VST plug ins) as well as acoustic recordings.