The “Muse Room” is the room in my house where I make music and my wife makes visual art. Published the first Friday of every other month, each issue of Letters from the Muse Room includes news and updates about my music, as well as something that has inspired me creatively over the past month.
Dear friends,
Happy New Year! I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season and some time to relax and refresh.
[My family’s Christmas tree.]
One of my favorite traditions in the week between Christmas and New Year’s is planning goals for the coming year. It always gets me excited as I look ahead to what I want to accomplish, and the new year brings new energy and motivation. (More on this below!)
[Moleskine planners old and new.]
It’s been a month since the release of A Long Weight of Silence, my video collaboration with Kansas City Symphony Principal Flute Michael Gordon. If you missed it, you can find it on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AJHarbisonMusic/posts/10161206001214008) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSgIUjob6sE). I’d love to hear what you think!
[A Long Weight of Silence video, starring Mike G.]
I’m continuing to work on my new orchestra piece; one of my goals is to finish it by the end of February. More next time, but for now, here’s a brief clip of a heroic march section featuring a snare drum and four majestic horns: https://www.ajharbison.com/wp-content/uploads/rainlightmarch.mp3.
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As I mentioned, the process of planning out goals is itself inspiring for me. Thinking about what I want to do differently and/or better in the new year inspires me, usually, to be way too ambitious.
[I love demotivational posters.]
[The original version of this quote isn’t bad, but I like this take on it.]
But I do look forward to pursuing these goals — working toward becoming a better person (goals relating to reading, fitness, learning French) and a better composer (some pieces I want to write, some studying I want to do, some pieces I want to listen to).
I look forward to sharing some of the fruits of my musical goals in future Letters. Watch for clips and info on a new piano cycle, and maybe some symphonic listening inspirations!
I also have a goal for becoming a better social media post-er — if you want to stay up to date in between Letters, you can follow me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AJHarbisonMusic), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ajharbison) and Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/ajharbison).
What are some of your resolutions or goals for 2022? I’d love to hear from you. Hit reply and let me know!
Peace,
AJ Harbison
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