Stephen P Brown's Blog

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

An international 'International Music Day'

I dreamt/dreamed up a new project today. Nothing new, you say. True, but unlike the 780 billion others ideas I've budgeted (now why's that darn figure STUCK in my head, I wonder...) this one is exciting. What do you think?

While studying my list of 'national days' I noticed a distinct lack of music and performance related material. Lots of medical and tons of political, with a smattering of sports, but in over 1,000 national recognition days, not one music. But then google came to the rescue - there's the International Music Day. Heard of it? Nor me. October 1st, and I presume every year. It's coordinated in Australia by the International Music Council. Heard of it? Nor me. More interestingly, it's promoted/ supported/ funded/ cajoled/ whatever by UNESCO, or UN-ESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Heard of it? Right.

I don't know if UNESCO supports things like a Japanese University handbell choir playing a spanish song composed by a Frenchman, but I'm really glad they'd like to help people celebrate music on an international scale: even more kudos to the late Lord Menuhin (oh, for a peerage) for suggesting it.

So... my idea? [Tom Peters would love this: full of Excellence, Talent, Design, Implementation, Branding, Marketing to Women and Boomers]...

There are seven continents.
Let's host seven concerts
over the next seven years,
producing seven CDs and
seven DVDs,
each with seven pieces,
and why not produce seven documentaries for youtube, too?

The concerts, held on Oct 1 2009-2015 on a different continent, would have a piece composed about or by someone from each of the seven continents. My first program might look like this: Copland Fanfare for the common man, Ginastera Dances from Estancia, Ifukube Japanese Rhapsody, Westlake Antarctica Suite, Akpabot Three Nigerian Dances, Milhaud La Creation Du Monde, and Whitehead The improbable ordered dance. Of course, let's hope UNESCO is willing to help me find the $200000 needed to fund each show! Oh, and if you're wondering WHERE the concert on Antarctica will take place? LOL - I actually did some homework, and we'd probably charter a cruise ship and rent a small chamber orchestra from Oceanbound!!

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Bliss 9 - an arts festival

This is a head's up - a private insight into a forthcoming event of mine. AND, quite an exciting event, too.

Bliss 9 is an arts festival in Morris County, NJ. For one night only, you'll enjoy experiencing a whole variety of art forms including concerts, a dance show, painters, jewelry makers and sculptors... and my jazz orchestra. Buy your tickets online in advance, and they're $29. On the day, they'll be $36, so I'd rather you buy them online (after Feb 1).

The event itself is on Friday, April 3 beginning at 6pm, with the live performances beginning at 8pm. Where? At the Hanover Marriott hotel on Route 10. Nice.

Oh, and there are a couple of spots left for exhibitors, but you should check out all the details on http://www.blissfestival.com/

It's worth saving up for, and bringing a couple of neighbors to, as well!

SEE YOU THERE

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