Interests:Traveling the US and the Americas, playing music, hangin' out with friends, reading the Bible, composing music, sharing my faith, playing basketball, listening to music, studying history, watching epic films, teaching music, reading, watching "behind the scenes" footage from the "great" films of our time, directing musical ensembles, laughing with friends... Expertise:I would like to be a Reniassance Man; thus far I've done alot in my lifetime (but not necessarily well, and that is an important detail, which when absent, nullifies its worth)... Occupation:Artist Industry:Nonprofit
Have you ever had one of those moments when you just know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be? I mean, the world could be falling apart and you could “logically” be “afraid” of the uncertainties, but you are not because inside there is a KNOWING, an ASSURANCE that everything is going to be alright! (Of course that is not blind faith, it’s a “God thing”.) No, my world is far from falling apart, but I do find myself at a crossroads. I’ve been a middle school music teacher for 3 years now after graduating from Verity (music).
The past years have seen me direct musical productions, deal with troubled students, learn how to communicate with authorities, survive lots of pressure, grow spiritually cold and hot again, write music, talk to professors about graduate school possibilities, minister to the youth in our church, write songs, lead worship at our church, record 2 songs, and more than one girl has made my heart flutter this year (Hey, I’m a musician and Latino; we’re emotional people, but I welcome it cause the best songs are born that way- despairing pits and breath-taking summits…it’s uninspiring place in between that I most hate) what keeps me out of trouble is that I’ve become very good at NOT following my heart so no, I’ve not fallen prey to the “love bug’s bite”. I’m not “with anyone” presently, and I do think there are a few more things that have to happen in my life before then, and the biggest: GRAD SCHOOL!
Yep, I’m going to get my Masters in Composition. I’ve done all the interviewing, the applying, the emailing, etc, and now all I can do is wait, keep writing music, and hope someone thinks I've got potential. I’ve been listening to what many (including myself 3 years ago) call “weird, contemporary classical music” but in doing so have stumbled upon some geniuses and in reading about them have begun to understand what they were/are up to. Among those are John Adams, Osvaldo Goliov, and Olivier Messiean. Stravinsky is quickly becoming a top favorite of all times…well, except for Beethoven, and I must concede to those who saw the truth much earlier than I (Ryan Clarke for example, along with many college professors) concerning Hans Zimmer (some people’s favorite film composer) who has somehow gotten away with rewriting Gladiator for the past 10 years…that’s what you call marketing, NOT GREAT COMPOSITION.
I’m super excited about what the future holds for me, and every year God has allowed me to discover a deeper measure of His Grace. Everytime I fall (oh, yes, I just don’t blog about it for the whole world to read), I look up and there is a nail-scared hand reaching down to remind me (as a Deliriou5 song also says) “everything little thing is gonna be all right” just get back up, and “don’t blame Me”. It’s a good thing true Christianity is not about works, or I would’ve probably given up a long time ago. Yeah, sometimes I feel like I’m in a dark room, but then a small light turns on in the corner; it’s my place to walk toward it and learn what I can from what it illuminates!
I'm working on my symphonic poem and have gotten "behind" out of a strange combination of business and laziness am applying to about 6 grad schools my top choices currently being located in IN/KY/OH if that happens then I might actually get to see some of you again as I will be much closer than I am now... Latest NEWS for all you MUSIC people out there! I know of 2 teaching positions that will open next year here in Monterrey-one elementary, one middle school-they are both ENGLISH SPEAKING schools with a international faculty, and I might just be able to put in a good word for you-since I know some of the "higher-ups" in both schools (and they prefer hiring Americans/Canadians...if you're interested in the chance to do music and learn Spanish and live in another country (a very nice city BTW), then this is your chance (message me, email me- and send a copy to my sister cause she checks her inbox more often)! and now back to me...yes, eating tacos, yes, sleeping or trying to sleep... playing live music with a guitarist, pianist, (sometimes drummer) down in the cultural downtown area of Monterrey and having a blast (mostly doing Latino instrumental versions of Christian songs as well as classical and jazz) writing songs... just got over a stomach virus (which only hits me once a year-yes a strange phenomenon) watching the Presidential/VP debates on Youtube... missing Cristina... watching the occasional episode of Steve Carell in THE OFFICE (also on the internet) watching the occasional episode of Hannah Montana or Little House on the Prairie with my sis Natalia... "preping" for the GRE...(SCARY TEST) working on my symphonic poem really desiring to be filled each day with Christ's LIVING WATER...somehow, I can't bring myself up to Calvary each day though...it's along walk you know, and it hurts sometimes...but it's refreshing, it's a glimpse of reality which I can't get anywhere else...so, I'll do it again... and of course, taste testing some of my sister's culinary inventions (hmmm) (or culinary re-inventions of my brother Jordan's exotic international recipes) talking to my brothers at VERITY... missing the old days at VERITY with my pal Ryan and wondering why only Ryan Clarke, James Beeman, and Zack Stanton have actually called me, FB or emailed me of their own accord (in the last 6 months)...somehow I thought I knew more people...I guess I don't...well, it's great to have...1, 2...3 shoulders to lean on besides my own...at least there are a few girls who post on my FACEBOOK...many of them students (does that say anything about my teaching abilities? ha ha) Just watched a histerical link about an upcoming comedy which I think is going to prove being very "uniquely" funny. It's called, "An American Carol" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CYSGCoflAA
...and ONE MORE THING! I'll be making a 7 day trip to IN/KY/OH October 22-29th to visit the schools (and will be stopping by VERITY on the 23rd!!! first time back in 2 years) so if you're in the area, I'd love to hang out with you (if possible amid the grad school interviews)... and I think that's about it...so, I'd better get back to GRE or to composing or to sleep...
(Just in case you have wanted to hear my song and haven't found the link, here it is: www.xanga.com/SonyExecutive)
Hey guys, as most of you know, I've been "communicating" through FACEBOOK more often these days, but just in case you don't do FB, here's the basic update in as few words as possible:
In Mexico, teaching middle school music, writing a symphonic poem (for full orchestra of course), studying for the GRE, sleeping very little... applying to about 6 universities for a Masters in Composition, attendend New Attitude 2008, the most incredible youth conference! writing some new songs, hoping to record those songs, eating tacos, involved in a project with Revolutionary Media, sleeping very little... occasionally leading worship at church, working in youth discipleship, eating tacos!!! purchased a powerful desktop (which Ryan put together for me!) choffered (sp?) friends Beka, Lacey (Kolby's sis), Erika, Bri, Amy, and a bunch of other girls for www.vintagegirl.com.mx conference! listening to Jon Foreman's Spring-Winter folk music recordings,
...and steadily (or often not so steadily) trying to keep my own spiritual life where God wants it to be-FIRST PLACE...I do believe that if that is taken care of, the rest will fall into place...in fact, I'm depending on that, cause I sure can't make the world turn in my favor,
our faith in Christ needs to do more than "float aimlessly in this world". It needs to "surf". Are you surfing?
it looks like i might be going to ARGENTINA on a missions trip in June with Global Encounter! i'm still asking God for a sign/rhema that would totally confirm that this is how He wants me to to "spend" the money, but I thought I'd throw the idea out there because there might be others who would like to work with teens and children in South America! www.globalencounter.net
I am reading like 4 books (I’m trying to finish 2 each month-NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION-and I’m really enjoying it…I have to read several at a time): Francis Schaeffer-The God Who Is There, Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad, Right/Wrong by Josh McDowell, also Blue Like Jazz and a few others…
The J. A. Romero concert last weekend was inspiring, uplifting, and fulfilling.
Inspiring because it’s motivated me to songwriting! (great words and nice Spanish poetry characterizes his very-personal songs)
Uplifting because it was so Christ-centered and so free from superficial showmanship! Fulfilling because 20 youth signed up and showed up for the concert outing (which I went to great lengths to organize).
That’s a summary…
PS: Oh, I was wondering if any of you where planning to attend the New Attitude conference with Josh Harris and John Piper?
Why do I ask: I am considering going and it would be so awesome if several of us could get together and hangout that week too...or maybe even carpool! Check it out and if anyone is interested, please let me know...I'm sure it's gonna be great, even if we don't get together...
