I’m a composer.

I’m a composer and I’ve finally realized one of my biggest hurdles is, well, me. I have found I carry with me a big bag brimming with a billion excuses and reasons why I don’t sit down to my keyboard and write music. But I’m a composer! Right? Isn’t that was a composer is supposed to do? Write?

This week has begun a new trend for me. I am finally committed to sitting down and writing music every single day, because I’m a composer, and that’s just what I do.

Monday was day 1, and I wrote the first half of this music. Yesterday was day 2 and I spent several hours working on my marching band piece. Today I wrote the second half of this piece and I want to share it. Allow me to introduce ‘Virginia Rain” -

Virginia Rain

So where is all this coming from? Have you ever had one of those moments where an idea that’s been rattling around in the corners of your head finally catches your attention enough to swim to the surface, and when it does it brings things with it? Kind of like when you learn a new word and suddenly everyone not only knows that word but uses it in every day conversations. Well, I’ve really been thinking about and committing to being a composer this week. After having the weekend to myself while Betsy went to Indy, I really took some time to chew on where I am in my life and what I’m called to do. Every writer struggles at some point with the realization that in order to be a writer, one must… write. I guess it’s my time. At least until the baby comes.

So what has happened once I made that commitment? Not just one, but two band directors put Humanity on hold! It’s almost like they wanted to make sure I was really going to commit to this writing thing before they were going to consider my show. Or the Universe is just waiting to hand me a career writing music, just as soon as I start actually writing it.

By the way, I’m freaking out, I’m SO exited that there’s some interest in Humanity! I’m excited, nervous, skeptical and hopeful, and can’t wait to see if they end up buying it. I suppose that’s another part of becoming a composer… getting paid for music you’ve written.

Those are my thoughts for tonight. Tomorrow we’ve got an ultrasound to see just exactly what this little baby is doing. Our Nurse Midwife scheduled it because she felt like he might be breach, but that’s a story for tomorrow.

Be Metta, John