Michael AllenAug 7, 2017Voice leading - an introductionIt is cool and damp here in Colorado this morning - it feels like fall. The sound of (gulp) drum lines fills the air. My high school band...
Michael AllenAug 6, 2017A quick word about MIDIMIDI has come a long way in 30 years and there are some really good MIDI sampled sounds. But music that sounds right coming out of your...
Michael AllenAug 5, 2017Four Dimensional TextureThis blog is a way to collect my thoughts and 'ship em.' This is modeled after the blogging philosophy of Seth Godin (one of my daily...
Michael AllenAug 3, 2017Opportunities to write for the alto tromboneI know some trombonists who just felt a disturbance in the force. My brass ensemble has 6 treble instruments and 5 bass instruments,...
Michael AllenJul 31, 2017Striving for balance with hornsAnother curious Richard Strauss quote "If you can just barely hear the (French) horns on stage, the balance is perfect." Strauss clearly...
Michael AllenJul 18, 2017One on a partA friend just sent me a note on an earlier post, and he mentioned that he is writing a lot for brass band. I love the sound of a brass...