My 2012 was shaped by pain and productivity. After struggling with relentless back pain for the first part of the year, I had surgery in June that eliminated the problem. In spite of that, I had a very productive year. I released 2 new cds, one filled with my own tunes (High Street) and one cd of new arrangements (Cool Tunes for Harp Guitar). I finally finished arranging a 25 minute long suite of my music for full orchestra and also transcribed dozens of my compositions and arrangements. In late summer I started writing a Milford Harbor Suite for piano and cello and a few months later, that 4 piece suite was done. I decided to carry on and compose an entire concert’s worth of material for piano and cello and am now just 2 or 3 pieces short of doing that. I made some progress on my Nutcracker project as well. Oh, and I played some shows and walked my dog most every day. It was a year of getting lots of stuff done. Life is good here in Connecticut with Nancy B.

So what am I going to do this year? After several days of rearranging my workspace, I’m back to music. I’m getting back to arranging and recording my version of the entire Nutcracker ballet for guitar orchestra, for one thing. That will be finished this year. I’ve got a few new guitar tunes written, but not enough for a new cd of compositions this year, at least not early in the year. That’s ok – I’ve still got lots of last year’s cds to sell! What? You don’t have them yet? That can be solved here.

As I said there are a few pieces left to compose for my Connecticut-themed concert. Then of course I have to arrange for that concert to take place. Recording and releasing that music is a project as well. And I’ve got to figure out how to get my orchestral work performed. Not to mention – I have some new ideas for music for full orchestra to explore too.

I have an idea for a collection of classic American tunes as a new guitar cd too. If there’s time…

Add to this that I also have to keep my guitar chops in shape, play some shows here and there to pay the bills, walk my dog in the woods most every day, and spend as much time as possible with Nancy B – and 2013 will be a sufficiently busy and productive year. And hopefully pain will stay out of the equation this year!

That’s all for now, I’ve got stuff to do!

My best to all,
sb