Blog Moved

My blog has been moved to my new website and can be found here:

http://josiahbode.weebly.com/blog.html

I am making an attempt to consolidate my online presence in once place.  It is a work in progress, but I hope to eventually host my music on that website, as well as keep up with my blog and update people about my performances, etc.

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and like my page on Facebook!

My Life

You may have noticed I haven't updated anything in a while.  I'm dealing with a couple big things in my life right now and need to sort those out before I can really focus on composing, but I will be back.  I'm still working on some music, but it's taking me much longer than expected to get through it.

Keep an eye on this page for updates in the future.  You can also follow me on:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/josiahbodemusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pinktux2prom

Tuba Sonata I

I've uploaded the first movement of my tuba sonata as a free download, which includes a 1-year performance license.  Here's the link:

http://josiahbode.musicaneo.com/sheetmusic/sm-180461_tuba_sonata_op_2.html

Be sure to check it out soon.  When I finish the other movements it will no longer be available free!

Audio

I now have audio files uploaded for all of the sax quartet transcriptions on my website.  These are all still available as free downloads, and now you can listen to them as well!  Check them out here:

http://josiahbode.musicaneo.com/sheetmusic/

Also, in case you don't know, I have a recording of my Sonata for Saxophone Quartet on YouTube.  This is from an old edition so there are a few differences from the current edition, but it's basically the same.  Here's a link to the whole thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntyb2ApTMDM&list=PL638A0431F02785E2&index=1

And last but not least, I am done with the first movement of my tuba sonata.  It just needs a little more formatting before I upload it.  Look for it in the next couple of days!  Here's an audio sample of the tuba sonata:

https://soundcloud.com/pinktux/sonata-for-tuba-and-piano

Deadlines, Schmeadlines

Well, my music is taking a little longer to write than I expected.  I have been making progress, so that's good.  I am, however, notoriously bad about keeping deadlines, whether I set them myself or they're set for me.  So I do like to set deadlines because it gives me a goal to work toward, but...it doesn't always work out as planned.

Like I said, I have been making progress, especially on my tuba sonata.  I am nearly done with the first movement; I just have some minor editing and formatting to do.  Once the first movement is done I will upload it as a free download while I write the rest of the piece.  (And yes, I have started the other movements.)

Other things I have been working on include an arrangement of "Loch Lomond" for a cappella male voices, a piece for solo clarinet, and a transcription of Gabrieli's "Canzon septimi toni a 8" for saxophone quartet and brass quintet which is finished but needs formatting.  I will also soon upload some computer generated audio of the pieces I have on my site, as placeholders until I get real recordings of them.

Little Fugue in G Minor

As promised, here is the first upload for this week: a transcription of Bach's "Little" Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578, for saxophone quartet.  This is one of Bach's most well-known works.  I kept the original key for this transcription (which means that the baritone sax should ideally have a low A key), but made a few editorial choices.  First, I was rather sparse with my trill markings, leaving additional trills up to the discretion of the performer.  My thought is that if you know Baroque music well enough to feel that it needs another trill here or there, you're welcome to add them.  The other editorial choice I made was to add some dynamic markings.  These can be seen as just suggestions, but I feel that they are appropriate and add some direction to the music.  Here's a link:

http://josiahbode.musicaneo.com/sheetmusic/sm-179230_fugue_bwv_578.html

In case you're wondering why I've been uploading mostly sax quartet music, there are a couple of reasons for that.  Saxophone is my primary instrument, so it makes sense that I would write for saxophones often.  But more than that, I currently lead a sax quartet at Concordia University, Saint Paul, so I have been writing specifically for that group lately.  If you're not a sax player, don't worry: the next couple of uploads will be for different instruments.

New Year's Sale Extended!

Wow, it's been a little while.  I've been busy moving into a new house for the past couple of weeks, so I've had rather limited time for composing, let alone formatting the music for publication.  Because of this, I've decided to extend my sale through this week.  All of my current prices, including the free pieces, will remain at their current price, and any new pieces this week will start at a discounted rate.

We're pretty settled and I have more time on my hands now, so I will be uploading several new pieces this week.  Keep an eye on this blog and my website:

http://josiahbode.musicaneo.com/

Also, here are a few pictures of my new house :)