ISC:"Did you write that?"
As an educator, I am in the habit of finding ways to challenge my students, but sometimes forget to do my own self-check. I have been a string arranger for over 25 years, but one day while helping a student with a composing project, I realized that I hadn't composed my own fiddle tune in over a decade.
As a result, in 2013 I put forth my own year long, "tune-a-month" challenge. To keep myself honest, I included the stipulation that I had to share what I wrote with others. I kept my word, and after recording several of these compositions on my lastest CD "The Waxwing," I decided to enter the title cut in the International Songwriting Competition as my students cheer me on. Fingers crossed.
THE WAXWING- I wrote this tune last winter while standing at my living room window looking out at a gorgeous yet destructive ice storm that encased my small town. That harsh January brought frigid days of -20F, turning my thoughts to the birds that winter in the NY North Country. So fragile. So rugged. I took out my fiddle, pushed record and just played what I was feeling. In this studio version, I think the wisps of fiddle harmony and the ever beautiful playing of pianist Daniel Kelly capture that quiet, glistening day.
Ice Storm 2013 (Koehler)