Musician Lands Composing Opportunity Through Stage 32

I’ve always told myself and heard the phrase, “Never give up” (then he sat down speech). Which is why I have continued to seek out different producers and others in the film industry for years here at Stage 32.

Wanting to write music since my 30’s, I’ve been going to different schools, starting in Ohio. I started in Music Ed. At Wright State University – for two years, I learned music theory and ear training. Then I had an opportunity to perform ‘on the road’ with a group for a year, called American Entertainment Productions, (AEP) out of Columbus, OH. I stopped going to school for a year and really enjoyed the shows.

Then, after the 1-year commitment with AEP, I went back to school. A music director at a church mentioned Belmont University, and I investigated the possibilities. I soon transferred to Belmont (in Nashville, TN) and finished a B.M. in Music and Percussion Performance, with a minor in Studio. Going back to Ohio, I kept pursuing education, summer schools, and transferred credits to Eastern Kentucky Univ. finishing a two-year master’s degree in music Ed. After school, I performed on cruise ships, i.e... Holland America Line, doing three contracts. In 2018, I finished a one-year Online program in Jazz, leading to an M.M. in Jazz.

From all this music performance and education, it seems natural to blend and focus energies into writing. Learning about Stage 32 about 10 years ago, I started contacting people to network and prioritize my ambition. Then, three months ago, I received an email from a Stage 32 member and writer. After talking briefly, he sent me a request:

“Someone who reviewed one of my songs on ReverbNation said that I should get serious and use real instruments for recordings, drums particularly. They are demos for my musical ‘Queer Cowfolk’. Anyway, are you interested in working on a small project?”

The writer needed help with some demos for his musical, and creating the instrumental intro and outro for a short play that would be performed very soon and could be used for future productions. We worked on the agreement beforehand to make sure all was covered. Then the playwright suggested from an agreement he had to revise the agreement, making better changes. It goes to show when two people come together, we make things happen. My one new leadership goal is to do a “win-win, or don’t do it” (John Maxwell’s Leadership 101 book).

The writer sent me the Music Assets, summing up and how he wanted it to go. I chose one and started composing, adding percussion and other instrumentation, quickly, since I knew the due date was fast approaching. Then, after listening to a few other pieces, I made up something similar, though added real drums, making it livelier, from my experience playing drums in musicals (finale endings). The first piece is more orchestral, adding piano first, then blending in the other instruments to fit the mood from the other assets sent.

After the play ran at the festival, the writer decided to turn it into his second short film. He's working with his director to get things going. The two music pieces are in line to be used for the titles and credits.

This is all possible because of the connection I made on Stage 32. I would advise composers to learn all they can about different ways to write. Always be humble and be learning. Thanks again for Stage 32 and its different forums for specific fields within the film industry.

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