Achil's Challenge

About two months ago, I finished three choral compositions for a competition (I didn't win, but that wasn't the point.  I just needed some motivation to complete projects, and it worked rather well).  Afterwards, I took a month or so off to do some accompaniment/recording projects, and to clear my brain.

But, as this stuff tends to go, when I tried to get back into composition, I had a bit of trouble getting started.  Nothing sounds good anymore; nothing's original, everything's too trite, yadda yadda.  So I've been struggling to keep on writing, even though everything feels a little flat right now.

And then I had coffee with Achil.

Achil Jackson is my "composition buddy".  She is a 23 year old Seattle native who mainly focuses on voice, and whose compositions feature chamber music with Renaissance instruments, such as lute and viola da gamba.  One of these days, I intend to write up a review of her music, but for now, here is the link to her ReverbNation page:

http://www.reverbnation.com/achiljackson/song/5053840-time-chant-and-gather-ye-mothes

Anyway, so we were talking about this motivation business, and I told her that I had a hard time really investing in a project unless I had something specific to compose for.  And she gave me a challenge.

So every Monday evening for the next month, I'm going to be recording a short piano piece and uploading it to this blog.  I'm not going to brag about them much, especially since I haven't yet gotten the hang of making my recording equipment actually sound good, but this, like everything else right now, is all about getting lift-off.  I'm going to trust in experience and determination and keep working hard until I have something worth listening to.

Have I ever mentioned that talent is way overrated?

Cheers,
-G