Episode 19 - Rogues Among Us
John hangs with Rogues and they talk about being musicians, being in a band, the state of the Houston music scene, and other philosophical tidbits.
Episode 18 - Graduate School
Thanks to everyone who sent in questions and were curious about my thoughts and experiences!
Episode 17 - Rebekah McQueen
This is an episode I’ve been super excited about for as long as I’ve done this podcast! Rebekah is a close friend of mine who has her own music therapy business. She and I have had many conversations about life and music and parenthood and therapy and everything in between. I truly believe in her and in music therapy. Few people impress me with their dedication to their art and craft, but Rebekah has always been undeniable to me.
Her website is www.MeasuredMoments.com
A great resource for general music therapy information is www.MusicTherapy.org - the American Music Therapy Association, and in Texas, our local region, www.SWAMTA.org, the Southwest region of the American Music Therapy Association. Information about and a list of Board-Certified Music Therapists can be found at www.cbmt.org
This episode is longer than most others. I believe in music therapy, and in Rebekah’s dedication and approach, so I don’t mind at all that it’s a bit longer than the other episodes. Click here to go straight to the episode!
Taking a few weeks off!
Hello friends! I wanted to let you know that I’m taking a few weeks off from podcasting to prepare for my final exams. Once I finish those up, all that will be left will be to walk with a masters! I plan to bring you more words in December. Be good!
Episode 16 - Alex Amadeus
Wow! So impressed and intrigued by Alex and his solo album. Check it out on Spotify here. He is on Spotify and Apple Music as Alex Amadeus and the record is called Inverted Circles. We discuss some of the inspirations, the processes, and the implications of recording all the instruments on a solo, full-instrumentation metal band. It’s worth a listen, and its creator is a thoughtful and insightful person. For the first time on MIOW, we talk about ghosts! Please check out the record, and follow Alex on Twitter @Greek_Steel
Episode 15 - Bradley Fryou
Join me and Bradley as we discuss touring, gear, existence, and lots of things in between. I’ve played in a band with Bradley for a couple of years now, and I was finally able to get some time to chat about life.
Follow him on Instagram here
Follow Zero Detail (@ZeroDetailMusic and www.ZeroDetailMusic.com) and Rogues Among Us (@RoguesAmongUs and www.RoguesAmongUs.com) on socials as well!
Bradley’s gear:
Amp:
Guitars:
Schecter Corsair Custom Semi-Hollow
PRS Vela - Check out this forum to read up on the coil tap idea!
Pedals:
Saxophones:
Saxophone repair - check out the Horn Doc - David Sheppard
Please check out AMR Studio in Tulsa or any of the work Stephen Adwell has done, and enjoy the live session of Rogues Among Us featured at the end of this podcast. - From Within Live at AMR Studio
Episode 14 - Ben Miller
I am soooooooo excited to have finally had Ben on the podcast. Ben is easily in my top 3 people as far as people I respect as musicians and as generally good people. We got to record some of our jams, so check the beginning and the end of the episode to hear what happens nearly every time we’re in the same room!
Ben plays a Yamaha reface YC, a Yamaha CP4, and uses a Boss RC-30 looper
Episode 13 - Travels
I share my thoughts on travelling and its importance to a working musician. Feel free to comment here, on Facebook, or via email! I’m actually in Virginia this weekend with my Clover Hill kiddos, so this is a perfect opportunity for this topic!
Episode 12 - Marching Band Design & Collaboration
First off, I want to congratulate the students and directors at Morris High School in Oklahoma on their Percussion and GE caption winnings!
In this episode, I cover some of my processes and gear when I set out to produce a pageantry arts show. I try to be as detailed as possible, so I apologise if it gets a little tedious! I’m excited to share my process with you! I take a lot of pride in what I do, and there’s lots of details that I didn’t even get to mention because I already felt like I was running a little bit long!
Below, I’ll list the gear I use! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it, or anything I mention in my process!
Apple MacBook Pro 2018 Model - Super Special Fancy Hidden i9
iPad Pro - 12.9” 3rd Generation with 2nd Generation Apple Pencil - Check it out here
iPad mini 4 - Officially Discontinued!
iPhone XS Max - Officially Discontinued!
AirPods 2 with Wireless Charging Case
Bang & Olufsen H4 Wireless Over-The-Ear Headphones
Shure MOTIV MV88 mic for Lightning Devices - Check it out here
Pentel Mechanical Drafting Pencil - Buy them here
Brother HL-L2320D Duplex Black/White Printer - Buy it here
I also use several services in order to meaningfully and conveniently collaborate, as well as stay up on music trends and keep playlists for when I somehow find time to listen for enjoyment! I don’t know if anyone necessarily needs ALL of them, but I like them, so I keep them!
Software I use:
Services I use include:
Episode 11 - Success in Chesterfield County - Summer 2019
Welcome to the first solo episode of Music in Our World! I wanted to elaborate on my trip just a little bit, and also brag on the kids. When something good happens in music education, I think it's worth quantifying it as much as can be done with an experience like that. Something as thoroughly good as that camp was will definitely inspire me in the future, when I want to reminisce. I hope it will inspire you, if you're going through a tough season. If you're having a great one, I hope you feel more prepared to celebrate and know WHY it was good. At any rate, I hope you enjoy this episode, and can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Super summer!
Hello from Virginia
CC or bust! - Dipsissippi
CC or bust! - Made it to Meridian
CC or bust! - Pit stop in Caddo Parish
CC or bust! - Pit stop in Caddo Parish
CC or bust! - On The Road
Fiverr and Patreon!
Good afternoon friends!
I wanted to formally post about my Fiverr and Patreon setups! I’ve created a page that links to both of my accounts, and I can take care of you whether you want a one-off piece for your instrument or ensemble, or if you’re into a monthly bit of new material, check out Patreon!
I’m gearing up for a road trip to Virginia, so any little bit helps!
Rebranding!
You may have noticed a few new birds flying around the website! I’ve officially begun using my business name, Ornith Music, instead of my personal name for my website and business dealings. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the new setup for the site, as well as the idea of Ornith Music in general. I look forward to hearing from you!
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia - Ten-Year Anniversary
Back in my undergrad, I was fortunate enough to find a group of guys to spend long nights and make some wonderful music with. I was initiated into the Xi class of the Zeta Mu chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity in 2008.
There’s certainly no way to say that the whole journey was easy. Learning how to be an adult, while beginning an intensive course study in college is difficult enough as it is. At the time, I was still a journalism major, and hadn’t yet decided to dedicate my entire life to music. I was still active in the marching band, writing music, and teaching as much as I could, though. Several of my close drumline friends were already members, and by my sophomore year, they had talked me into beginning the membership process.
I decided to go through with it mainly because it was an opportunity to learn how to sing, and to sing in an ensemble. Every meeting has a music rehearsal, and opens and closes with songs that Sinfonians all over the country know by heart. There’s not enough that can be said for how reassuring that is. Each year at the TMEA convention, the Step Sing is by far the most satisfying and endearing event. I got into music because I love making something with other people, and 100-200 men in a large room singing in four-part harmony is exactly what I wanted.
Though I was getting something, it’s also worth mentioning that it’s a great feeling to give back as well. Throughout my music travels, I have met some great folks. I’ve visited chapters in Virginia and Texas, as well as worked closely with Sinfonians on other projects outside of formal fraternity events. Whether it’s offering feedback, or supporting younger Sinfonians on their journey through Phi Mu Alpha, or guiding those young men into being better educators or musicians in general, the mutual trust that develops throughout membership is completely invaluable.
When I started graduate school, I had fallen out of favour with Phi Mu Alpha. The guys in the Zeta Mu chapter were kind enough to help me with the process of becoming reinstated as an alumni member. That meant the world to me. Though each chapter and each member goes through ups and downs, in general Sinfonians are compassionate, intelligent, and thoughtful guys. In my experience, this group of men has been one of few groups I can consistently rely on musically, and as a human.
This Spring, I was honoured with a ten-year membership pin. It had honestly slipped my mind how long I’d been a member. At conventions, I see other Sinfonians and wonder what it’s like to be in their shoes. I turned 30 this year, so I am kind of in their shoes. Guys in their sophomore year may benefit from my experience or expertise, and seeing that ten-year pin on my chest or collar hopefully lets them know that I’m there for them.
Young men, if you’re considering college, music school, or any opportunity to better yourself that has a chapter of Phi Mu Alpha available to you, I implore you to at least check it out. Even if it’s not for you when you first make contact, ask yourself if you’d benefit from an unrelenting network of support and musical experience that are hard to achieve otherwise. Collegiate or alumni Sinfonians, it’s our job to spread the word. Be a shining example of what it’s like to be a good man and a good musician.
Episode 10 - Brandon Ramos and Valeri Speights
I’m super excited to have Valeri and Brandon on to talk a bit about the new vocal ensemble, Avanzare, the website we made for it, and just music and life in general. Check it out! www.AvanzareVE.org