C. Ryan

ponfrahal, did you copy and paste Scriabin's comment? :P Thanks again guys, Chris

Thanks guys! Norby, much appreciated. Honestly, I'm not all that familiar with EWQLSO, but I'll definitely check it out. -Chris

Thanks guys --- yes, GPO has the potential to be amazing. It's all about blending, and creating layers of sound. I'm glad you enjoyed!

Thanks everyone!! Scriabin, glad you listened to "With Glory in Their Eyes." I'm sure you could find many structural similarities between the two pieces. As for the nee-naw sounds (two flutes), they were intended to be light and beautiful so that they almost weave in and out of each other; however, I will admit that they did come out a bit calculated in the recording.

Hey guys, Just finished a full orchestral piece intended to depict a romance culminating in a beautiful meadow---let me know what you think! Thanks, Chris :)

Thanks guys! I'll definitely try to improve my craft... and yes, it's true: you see everything you're doing wrong the first time you see yourself conduct on film. :) Chris

Ah, thank you! Well, it's very programmatic as I get most of my inspiration from film scores. I have every intention of letting everyone have their own interpretation of this piece, but it was was founded on the idea of coming home from war; a glimmer of hope despite devestation. It has a mix of tragedy and triumph but they sort of coexist throughout the whole thing. Here's an old poem from which the title was derived:

Thanks Marius! I do understand there are no REAL rules of music, but I unfortunately find that too many people in this world see parallel fifths in a piece and then immediately get a sour taste in their mouth! But thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it... and yes, the opportunity to conduct this was amazing. There's nothing better than having some of your best friends perform your own piece, because they care about it just as much as you do. Thanks again!

Hey guys, I finally finished my first work, and I was fortunate enough to have an amazing orchestra teacher who allowed me to perform it with my high school symphony. I tend not to follow the "rules" of music so I hope you classical guys can still listen to this openmindedly. Let me know what you think... I know my conducting isn't the best, it's my first time. But any comments on orchestration, etc are more than welcome! I'm majoring in film and television (not music) next year so if I continue with this it will probably be somewhere down that path. Chris Ryan sidenote: sorry, I can't upload the score just yet

Hey, This is an excellent rendering; strings, particularly from 33 - 52 seconds sounds awesome... well done. Chris

Hi guys, I'm in the middle of writing my first symphonic piece, and I'm just curious what techniques you employ to create momentum in a piece without employing simply percussion. The main composer I have in mind is Michael Kamen; lots of his work as a driving pulse to it, but the only really distinct technique of his I know is using arpeggiated figures in the strings. Check out Band of Brothers Suite 2 on iTunes, you'll see what I mean. So, if you're writing music (NOT for an action scene) and you want people to tap their feet to it and say OH THAT'S COOL, what are some of my options? ;) Chris

Hey guys, Thanks for the advice. I've been working on this motif for a while and it's just not working for me... I think I got so involved in this one idea what my mind became closed to all other possibilities. I decided to (temporarily) ditch this project and miraculously, a new MELODY (not motif) popped into my head so I'm now working on that. Alex, your advice was very helpful---I'll keep it in mind. Chris

Hey guys, I'm in the need of major advice. I can improv for hours on piano, I come up with melodies, and I think I'm a fair enough orchestrator. My problem is that I don't know what makes a... "piece." I feel like there's some grand rule I'm not getting. Does anyone have any advice for a newbie who knows how to go but not where to go? Here's just an example of short theme of mine I like, but I have NO idea how I would format a piece around it. A sections, B sections, codas... I'm clueless. epicwestern.WAV Thanks, and ANY advice will be GREATLY appreciated. :toothygrin: Chris

Thanks Jared! So is that the Garriton that comes with Finale? I'm buying Finale 07 in a week or so so I'm very curious. Well done, again!

I'm in love with this. At 2:33, it builds, and I think if you brought that part back for the end and then let it slow and fade on that resolution at 2:41 it would be even better. Bravo! I really need to know how you made this actual mp3... I'd be really interested to know. It's very performance-like. Chris