DC Composition Blog

I took leave...

DC Composition — 2010-08-20T13:18:04+01:00

Hello everyone, I hope you have enjoyed the summer break, I know I have. After finishing my degree studies, I chose to take some much deserved time off. That in mind, I would like to say I have still been working intermittently on new projects and laying the ground work for projects that I would like to start in the future. The first of the new ventures and perhaps most prominent are PHP Safire and Vienna Portal. This is a project that has always been in the background that recently has started to take shape in to something tangible. They are both content management and website engines, the latter demonstrated in this site. PHP Safire has been released and available for public download, with Vienna Portal�s release estimated for early 2011. Other projects include Little Big Music Company, a publishing/production company that will soon opening for business during the latter half of 2011. As stated the company focuses on publishing in the forms of digital, electronic and press media, also organising productions such as concerts and public events. As the name of the company suggests, business and clients will all reside within the music profession. More information will be posted over the coming weeks, watch this space. As ever, Keep practicing, PEACE

Hello stranger...s!

DC Composition — 2010-07-14T18:08:05+01:00

I was sitting watching an episode of House while backing up site files, when I thought ‘why not give a blog update.’ I look back, and it has almost been a month since my last update, and almost a month and a half since my last Vlog. I want to apologise for that now, with a brief explanation. I have finally finished my studies and am eagerly awaiting the results of my degree. As always, it has been manic with lots to do and not enough time to do it. You would think that with the completion of studies I would have more time on my hands, but no such luck. I would like to do more with this site, and hopefully expand for more user submitted content. However, like with most things, you need to have members and an active community before you can expand. I aim to post articles and more content over the summer including moves, comics and cartoons. More info to come Peace

The Arrival Of Proofs...

DC Composition

...is a good day! Sorry it has been so long since my last blog post. Hey, I gave you videos instead, be happy with that at least! Well, I come bearing gifts. There was some mention of a secret project in my last video. Here's something to get the juices flowing! Enjoy!

Ok, so now what?

DC Composition

When I stood at the desk, about to hand in my dissertation, a thought came into my head. “Ok, so now what?” Ironic as it may seem, the rush is coming to an end, but I am beginning to think I don’t want it to. I have dedicated three years of my life to ‘complete’ music, complete meaning nothing but. Undisturbed. I handed in the project, and it became a symbol of my time at Colchester Institute coming to an end. Though I have had my ups and downs (mainly ups), this place has become a home. A home that I have somewhat taken for granted, like the car that isn’t so shiny anymore that one has taken to complaining about. We forget that it still gets us from ‘A’ to ‘B’, and despite its fallacies, keeps us warm on those cold winter days. “So what now?”, well, I honestly don’t know. I guess I will have to just wait and see. As we all know a musicians life is unpredictable. I can’t tell you what comes next in the saga of Dylan Christopher, because that would be trying to make a prediction...

The end is near!

DC Composition

I have been real busy over the past couple of weeks. After much work, my dissertation is nearing completion. I will publish it via articles section later this year after I have graduated as it discusses some interesting concepts on composition and performance. I would like to consider my self a composer and performer, so the issues raised and discussed are close to my heart. I have been working intermittently (in-between dissertation) on an update for the site, this fixes a list of issues with previous version, also adding more optimization behind the scenes. We are still in version 0.9 as the site cannot be considered 100% complete as many of the functions are still being completed and tested. As I have mentioned before, once this site is complete, I will use it as a template for a downloadable version for musicians. That version will be more secure and customizable. For now, I will return to the books. Catch you all later!

Finally!

DC Composition

In March 2009, I won Colchester Institute’s Canon Jack Award for solo piano adjudicated by Andrew Ball. Due to a mix up, I was presented the wrong trophy and never actually got to hold the Cannon Jack Award. After the Composers competition on Friday, I negotiated with the concert staff to allow me some time with the trophy while the stage was set. It was quite a moment seeing my name engraved on it. I finally have a photo of me holding the cup, which has been added to the gallery.

Tia Eagle plays Sibelius Romance

DC Composition

Tia Eagle, one of the most talented pianists I have ever had the pleasure of studying with has released her first HD classical recording. Please watch and comment on the original YouTube video to show her your appreciation! One not to be missed!

Almost done, not long now!

DC Composition

As I sit here proof reading my arrangements of Awaken The Dawn (Originally written Keith & Kristyn Getty), I have been thinking about restraint composition. By this I mean writing with the intention of making a part of, or the entirety of the music easy to play and thus simpler. There is a definite art form to composition with limitations. I have been working on these for a fair few months, and it is only really now that they are complete. As I have mentioned in a previous post, I cannot upload them, as it will most likely result in a law suit for unauthorised distribution. I will however upload another arrangement I was commissioned to write. Watch this space!

Arrangements Coming!

DC Composition

I have been working on some arrangements of modern hymns by Keith & Kristyn Getty. They have been quite fun to arrange, and have taken quite a while. Though I would love to share them with you in the form of scores, I am unable to unless I risk a copyright lawsuit. You can however go to their website and buy one of their fantastic songbooks and download the original tracks! Over the coming days I will upload the archive data, for my records, with links to the website, (sorry to dissapoint!). However, I also am going to make a pledge, that "from this day forth, I will write music in a new way, moving on from my old conventions of harmony, style and form”. I have studied music from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries, and have learned a whole host of the conventions in music. I have even studied various genres of pop music, giving me a number of influences. As much as I love the style and form of the great master Beethoven, I must find my own way. I will complete my current 'works in progress', and then I will start my own journey!

Yay for productivity!

DC Composition

Taken from Wiki Often, but not always, the title "sinfonia" is used when the work is seen as, or intended to be, lighter, shorter, or more Italianate or Baroquish in character than a full-blown (romantic) symphony (with its dominantly Germanic pedigree). I started writing a Symphonia in September, and all is going well. I have finished composing the First movement, and the Second is nearing completion. This is pleasing, as this will be my first Major work, as in piece of music that lasts over 30 minutes. This is being composed with the concert hall in mind. I look forward to uploading it soon, and hopefully getting it performed!

New Year Salutations...

DC Composition

...better late, than never! Happy 2010 everybody. I have been working my little cotton socks off trying to get my dissertation on the way, as well as practising for my upcoming recitals. I want to share a film that lifts my spirits every time I get a little bit down or disheartened. That film is Copying Beethoven (2006), if you haven’t seen it and are a Beethoven lover, go to your local movie rental store and rent a copy ASAP. Based around the final years in Beethoven’s life, the film depicts the events leading up to the premier of his 9th Symphony (choral). Every time I watch this film I get chills, as I have never seen anyone portray his character so well. If you can get pass the dodgy American/English/German accent that is. Either way watch the trailer, sure to get your blood rushing if your a Beethoven fan as I am.

Absence makes the, what?

DC Composition

Sorry I have been ascent from my site for a while, but, with no internet access at my new flat, and no free points close to it, it has become increasingly difficult to update. I now have software that allows me to work on the site offline, and so I have seized this opportunity to work on fine tuning my code. I have noticed a few fundamental flaws in my code that need to be corrected before I can do any more coding for new content. As the new university term draws ever closer, I have been doing research for my final year dissertation project. I figured that I will study into a small project researching something combining composition and performing. I have bad news I am afraid for those wondering why the store has been offline for so long. The hard disk on my laptop corrupted, losing all my compositions and arrangements from as early as 2004 (the unpublished ones included). As a further blow, the backup hard disk also corrupted. All is not lost, as I have new got a new faster laptop and business associate is currently using his contacts to restore the information. Again I will creep away to the internet blackout that I live in, but I will try to upload a blog per week from now on (excluding next week as I have a holiday planed with my brother). Until then, Watch this space!

Eventful!

DC Composition

The past few weeks have been eventful to say the least. The hard disc on my computer has corrupted and all the data is trapped. It is going to take quite a while to begin the process that will get the data off, and the outcome does not favour a full recovery of the disc. This means all of my university work; projects and compositions may be lost. I have chosen to seize this moment as a fresh start. I don’t have access to the lost scores, so I will put them a side and focus on a couple of side projects and commissions that have arisen over the past couple of days. Sily, because I know that I should backup lets hope this can be fixed...

No Internet!

DC Composition

I am sorry to say that my internet is down at the moment. I can’t access anything online for more than 30 seconds with out a drop in connection and slow transfer rate. All is not lost, I have been working on a few large scale compositions, and side projects with my good friend John Scott Cobb. I will update you as soon as I get the connection issue solved. - Dylan

Work work work…

DC Composition

So much work to do and so little time. I have had an awesome Easter, visiting my family at home. I am back in the real world now and have a tone of assignments to both do and hand in. Activity from me on the site will be low over the coming days.

Great Day!

DC Composition

It has been an interesting few days. My flat mates have all gone home so I have been alone working hard again. I will be going back home myself in a few days, so that is something to look forward to. The store is now populated with a few of my works ready for publication and shipping. These are pieces that I both want/feel-are-ready to be published and sold. Shipping should take no more than 2-5working days to be delivered and postage and packaging is covered in the price, so no additional fees will be added. I have scheduled a minor site update for 19th April, so the site will take a 24 hour downtime while I upload and install the new code. The site is now complete, so now I can focus on making movies and writing more compositions to post. Today is truly a great day.

Eye of the storm...

DC Composition

This has been a busy couple of days. Not only have there been competitions going on, but lots of university work including a large compositional work for the Percussion Quartet 'Sankorfa'. The majority of the competitions are over, only leaving the CI: Concerto Competition, witch is taking place next Wednesday. I entered both for the Roy Teed Cup for Composition and the Cannon Jack Award for Solo Piano. Though I did not win the composer's competition, I did win first-prize in the Solo Piano Competition. My work is now done for the competitions fortnight, so I am able to relax a little. My friend John Scott Cobb and I have decided to write a collaboration using theme and variation. I will be giving him the theme on Monday, in exchange for his Piano Sonata of which I am Premiering. This should be an interesting couple of weeks.

New site, new stuff!

DC Composition

Though the site has been down over the past few months, a lot of work has still be going on behind the scenes. I have posted a whole new list of compositions that have been completed over December and February. These include 3 Sinfonias for Orchestra, a Violin Sonatina, and an Alto Saxophone Sonatina. I have also been commissioned to write a piece for an interesting ensemble, of Flute Guitar and Voice. This piece will be finished fairly soon, and will be premiered in a concert in march. I would also like to take this opportunity to say that the store is nearing completion and is currently going through internal testing and will soon be put through a close beta test. That’s all for now, I am going to continue working, and will keep you all posted.