This is how I looked in 2001, only I normally don't wear a suit. I currently look somewhat older.
This is how I looked in 2001, only I normally don't wear a suit. I currently look somewhat older.
The music manuscript on my tie is by J. S. Bach.
I was born in 1963 in Fort Worth, Texas, where they have consistently failed to build a statue in my honor. I am the eighth of nine children. I am currently in my early forties, but that could conceivably change with time.
My first composition, "Once I Saw a Kittycat", was written in 1969, although I did not yet know how to write down the notes. I was also somewhat deficient in certain lyrical skills, such as forming complete sentences:
Unlike most composers, I did not begin with the piano or organ. Most composers begin by taking lessons on these instruments, learning music theory, and discovering that writing music is not as hard as it looks. It was not that easy for me. I have a background as a vocalist and did not take any piano lessons until I was an 18 year old music major. I sang for four years in the high school choir, where I learned the rudiments of sight reading and had my first music theory instruction. When I was sixteen I began teaching myself to write music. The early attempts were pretty hilarious, but I was convinced that I had the makings of a great composer. In my senior year I realized that I was quite gifted in music theory and decided, much to everyone's chagrin, to major in music composition.
Ah, college. What can I say about college that hasn't already been said about Pearl Harbor? The traditional harmonies and tonal melodies I enjoyed writing were frowned upon by the academic establishment at the University of Texas. Discouraged, I quit in the middle of my junior year to pursue a career in resaurant management.
While working as an assistant manager at McDonald's in 1984 I met Cherise Hall, who hated my guts at first but eventually married me in 1986. The five "Notebooks for Cherise" are dedicated to her.
In 1990 I lost my job as a restaurant manager and decided to get a life. I had composed only sparingly up to this point, but now I poured on the juice. Since 1990, I have completed over a hundred works of varying quality.
From 1993 to 1995, I collaborated on several projects with another composer, Laura Grosvenor (who now goes by the name of Laura Faulkner). We composed the works, "Where Flowers Grow in Empty Fields", "Remembrances, 1939-1945", and "Magnificat", and produced the tape "Abstractions". Laura and I formed a company, Magdalene Music, which published some of our sacred choral and handbell music. I also have music published by CanticaNOVA.
I am currently trying to get more of my existing music published, but am more interested in creating new music through commissions. Also, I always have numerous works in progress. In the real world I work as a software developer in Austin, Texas, which is a lot like writing music only you get paid.
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