Issue No. 34: Updates and TTJ Season 2!
Welcome to Season 2 of The Theisen Journal! You may have noticed that for the past few months TTJ has experienced a bit of a pause. I chose to do this for a few reasons.
In June I moved to New Orleans to live with my partner and I needed a couple of summer months to settle into (and deeply enjoy) my new surroundings, professional routines, and home life. My partner and I then went on a much-needed vacation throughout most of August to visit our families and experience New Music Gathering in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Unfortunately just days after returning to the Crescent City, Hurricane Ida severely damaged our home and we were displaced for eight weeks. A bummer, for sure, but we were luckier than so many in Louisiana.
While on the road as our apartment was being repaired, I turned 40 years old. I was able to celebrate this milestone with family and close friends in Chicago!
I started The Theisen Journal on my previous (39th) birthday and penned thirty three issues, appearing approximately once per week on Wednesdays. For this second season I’ll be doing more of the same - interviews, essays, “how to” articles, podcasts, reviews - but also adding exciting new elements including original videos on composition/theory topics. Stay tuned!
So what else have I been up to?
As composer: I completed a commission for trumpet and piano, Streets of Scarlet and Shadow, and have been working on my massive concerto for baritone saxophone and wind ensemble entitled Archaic Machines. I’m about halfway done and can’t wait for you all to hear this one! It’s existing in the sweet spot Venn diagram center of contemporary classical music, modern jazz, and funk.
As performer: Megan Ihnen and I are putting the band back together - MIATp shall ride again! We look forward to debuting and touring our theatrical recital Black Meridian and releasing music videos no longer in the guise of a contemporary music ensemble but as an avant pop band.
As author: I am working on a book of creativity prompts for composers of all ages and skill levels. Y’all are gonna dig this.
As educator: I have been teaching a small private studio of composition students ranging from a middle schooler wishing to write loops like what he hears in his favorite video games to a high school pupil wanting to enter an undergraduate composition program to an adult songwriter wanting to craft tunes like Phish. I’m having a blast! (FYI, I have a bit more room in my studio if you are or know someone who would be interested…)
Have any ideas for future issues of The Theisen Journal that you would like to see? Drop me a message in the comments or DM me!