Blog Category: Composer Spotlight

Dennis Eveland CATEGORY: Composer Spotlight DENNIS EVELAND What is your main instrument? French horn How long have you been composing? 7 years How do you start the process of composing? I try to come up with an idea such as a title or style. Then, I work on a melody and harmonic progressions that are organized and make musical sense. Sometimes I come up dry on ideas, so I look at paintings, novels, etc. for ideas. As Robert W. Smith once told me, he even goes to museums and art gallaries to get ideas. What software do you use? Sibelius for notation, mark of the unicorn symphonic instruments and virtual drumline II. What other composers do you admire? Percy Grainger, Alfred Reed, Sousa, Robert W. Smith, and several others. Orchestra composers include Aaron Copland, Hector Berlioz, and of course Ludwig Van Beetoven. What advice would you give to young people who aspire to be a composer? Listen and study other composers works to learn different compositional techniques. Write, get your works recorded, and keep writing. Never give up. Remember , not all of your works will be a big hit, but keep writing for yourself and never give up. How do you keep yourself musically current? I listen to all types of music (classical, country, rock, jazz, concert band, marching band, etc.) What other projects have you recently been working on? Some new works for TRN Music Publishers, sightreading for Texas UIL, and new marching works. Do you have any favorite stories that you would like to share? My first published work was entitled "Stillmeadow Overture" which is named after the street I live on. It was funny to see the reviews on that work stating that the title came from the middle section sounding like a still meadow, even though it is my street address.