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Hi Everyone,

Dog Days!

Summer is rapidly coming to a close. But, something very cool has been happening. Many of you have been working, writing, recording and performing your music and are eager to play new works for the group. There is one more Friday left in August, so that is what we will do.

Bring your tracks to play, or your chops to perform. We have had a great variety of recorded music and live performance over the past few months. Considering the fact that so many people are out of town for the summer, it has been really impressive.

We will follow our usual MO and alternate between newcomers, and veterans. We will try to get to as many people as possible. Anyone we can not get to will get first dibs at the next regular meetup.

If you are a newcomer and want to play your music, the easiest way is to bring an iPod, or a CD of some of your tracks, which can be played, through our laptop and/or monitors. Try to keep your selections down to about 5 minutes or so.

If you wish to perform live, that is great! There is a digital piano that is decent. The sound system is my small m-audio monitors with RCA, stereo 1/8th inch mini, or 1/4 inch inputs. So, calculate your amplification needs accordingly. We also have a video monitor to play DVDs. If you have any questions, performance-based, tech, or otherwise, please feel free to drop me an e-mail.

The Tada Theater is in Chelsea at 15 West 28th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue--very easy to get to. You westsiders can take the 1 train to 28th Street and walk a few blocks east. And, the R and W local trains stop just a few hundred feet from the building entrance. Tada is on the uptown side of 28th Street. The building entrance is next to a parking lot in the middle of the block. (I'm not sure what the parking situation is in the evening, but allow extra time if you're driving.)

See you then!
All best,
Preston

Hi Everyone,

For all of you interested in writing music for film, video and television, this meetup is for you!

Composer Peter Calandra will be our guest.

Pete is one of the go-to pros in the film/video/television industry and has scored 15 movies including Red Right Wrong (2008 Stock's-Eye Films) Let It Out The Movie (2008 Lookalike Productions, Kleenex, USOC) Night Into Day (2008 Lookalike Productions, Selection 2008 Los Angeles Short FIlm Festival), Trip To The Planetarium (2008 Licorne Films, Selection Cannes FIlm Festival), and many others.
He has written over 1500 compositions for television broadcast including many theme packages for Fox Sports, Comcast Sports Net and The Big Ten Network.
As a performer, he spent 10 years playing the piano chair for the Broadway production of Miss Saigon. He also toured the U.S.A playing Keyboard 1 with Les Miserables and played in the Broadway Production of Phantom Of The Opera, served as Pianist/Conductor and Musical Director for the award winning original NYC production of Little Shop of Horrors, and is currently playing part time on Broadway at The Lion King.
Peter has performed or recorded with the NY Pops Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Susan Anton, Don Cherry, Aretha Franklin, Allen Ginsberg, Annie Golden, Lillianne Montevecchi and spent 16 years as keyboard player in the artist/musician Larry Rivers Climax Band.
You can see and hear some of his work at his website.

We will divide our meetup into two parts:

First, Pete will show some examples of his work, and then we will discuss the television/video/film business. He will also talk about how he works, and we will get into the technical elements, as well. Your Q & An will be a top priority in this seminar. So, bring you questions.

Second, time allowing, we will return to our regular meetup format, playing and discussing your music.
(Because I don't know how long the first part will go, there is no guarantee that we will get to all of you in the second part.)

If you are a newcomer and want to play your music, the easiest way is to bring an iPod, or a CD of some of your tracks, which can be played, through my laptop and/or monitors. Try to keep your selections down to about 5 minutes or so. We will try to keep a fair blend between newcomers, and veterans.

If you wish to perform live, that is great! There is a digital piano that is decent. The sound system is my small m-audio monitors with RCA, stereo 1/8th inch mini, or 1/4 inch inputs. So, calculate your amplification needs accordingly. If you have any questions--performance-based, tech, or otherwise--please feel free to drop me an e-mail.

The Tada Theater is in Chelsea at 15 West 28th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue--very easy to get to. You Westsiders can take the 1 train to 28th Street and walk a few blocks east. And, the R and W local trains stop just a few hundred feet from the building entrance. Tada is on the uptown side of 28th Street. The building entrance is next to a parking lot in the middle of the block. (I'm not sure what the parking situation is in the evening, but allow extra time if you're driving.) Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

All best,
Preston

Hi everyone,

How many music mechanics do we have out there?

I have been hearing a range of questions from members for some time now. Questions like:
What do I do when I get stuck? Why does my song seem so muddy? What is it that is missing from my piece?

One answer to these questions is to stop, and take a good look under the hood at the mechanics of your music.
That's what we will do in our next meetup. We will look at a couple of pieces, tear them apart and see what makes them tick. Let's call it "grass roots form and analysis." This is a good way to learn, and a good way to see what your fellow composer/song writers are up to, as well.

We will spend the first part of the meetup on form and analysis, and the rest of the time playing your music and networking with your fellow musicians.

We will try to keep a fair blend between newcomers, and veterans. So, bring in your latest work and we’ll get you into the mix.

If you are a newcomer and want to play your music, the easiest way is to bring an iPod, or a CD of some of your tracks, which can be played, through my laptop and/or monitors. Try to keep your selections down to about 5 minutes or so.

If you wish to perform live, that is great! There is a digital piano that is decent. The sound system is my small m-audio monitors with RCA, stereo 1/8th inch mini, or 1/4 inch inputs. So, calculate your amplification needs accordingly. If you have any questions--performance-based, tech, or otherwise--please feel free to drop me an e-mail.

The Tada Theater is in Chelsea at 15 West 28th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue--very easy to get to. You Westsiders can take the 1 train to 28th Street and walk a few blocks east. And, the R and W local trains stop just a few hundred feet from the building entrance. Tada is on the uptown side of 28th Street. The building entrance is next to a parking lot in the middle of the block. (I'm not sure what the parking situation is in the evening, but allow extra time if you're driving.) Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

All best,
Preston

Hi Everyone,

Due to popular demand we will offer another round of our New York Composers Tech Meetup which looks at real-world recording technique.

Many of you did not get into the first round of sessions at the Tony Conniff recording studio. So here is another opportunity for you to attend.

PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP AGAIN IF YOU ARE IN THE FIRST ROUND OF SESSIONS ON MAY 12.
If you are already signed up for the 12th, let others have the opportunity to attend on the 19th.
IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITING LIST FOR THE 12TH, YOU MAY SIGN UP FOR THE 19TH.

Here is what we will be doing:

SESSION #1
Beginner Recording—Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30PM
Subject: Basic production and audio concepts: Tools that make up a digital audio workstation (DAW), how MIDI and audio tracks differ, when and how to use drum loops, assembling and mixing a track.

We will meet at the studio of Tony Conniff in Chelsea on Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30PM (for beginners), and 8PM (for intermediates). His control room is big enough for a maximum of 10 people. So, sign up immediately if you are interested.

Tony Conniff is one of New York’s foremost songwriting teachers and coaches. He writes and produces music for film and television with clients including PBS, HBO, ESPN, ABC and Air America. He was nominated for the Outmusic Producer & Songwriter of the Year for his work on Alix Olson’s acclaimed debut CD, Built Like That. You can check out his website at: www.tonyconniff.com

Tony works in Logic Pro, but these Sessions are applicable to all recording software.

There will be the usual $10 meetup fee. This money goes into our non-profit meetup “kitty” and helps pay our expenses. You can do PayPal or cash. It’s up to you.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you want to attend both Sessions 1 & 2, you must sign up for BOTH. But, you only have to pay once. In other words, if you want to attend both session (6:30PM and 8PM), it’s still only $10 total.

See you at the next New York Composers Tech Meetup!
All best,

Preston

Hi Everyone,

Our next New York Composers Tech Meetup will focus on real-world recording technique.
Many of you have asked for more info on the basics, and hands-on actual real-world recording demonstrations. So, here you go.

Session #1
Beginner Recording—May 12 at 6:30PM
Subject: Basic production and audio concepts: Tools that make up a digital audio workstation (DAW), how MIDI and audio tracks differ, when and how to use drum loops, assembling and mixing a track.

We will meet at the studio of Tony Conniff in Chelsea on Tuesday, May 12th at 6:30PM (for beginners), and 8PM (for intermediates). His control room is big enough for a maximum of 10 people. So, sign up immediately if you are interested.

Tony Conniff is one of New York’s foremost songwriting teachers and coaches. He writes and produces music for film and television with clients including PBS, HBO, ESPN, ABC and Air America. He was nominated for the Outmusic Producer & Songwriter of the Year for his work on Alix Olson’s acclaimed debut CD, Built Like That. You can check out his website at: www.tonyconniff.com

Tony works in Logic Pro, but these Sessions are applicable to all recording software.

There will be the usual $10 meetup fee. This money goes into our non-profit meetup “kitty” and helps pay our expenses. You can do PayPal or cash. It’s up to you.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you want to attend both Sessions, you must sign up for BOTH. But, you only have to pay once. In other words, if you want to attend both session (6:30PM and 8PM), it’s still only $10 total.

See you at the next New York Composers Tech Meetup!
All best,

Preston