Michael AllenAug 10, 2019PaletteI'll admit that I'm a movie music nerd and a fan of the usual suspects (Williams, Horner, Howard, Zimmer, etc.). Some others on the less...
Michael AllenApr 3, 2019AtmosphereIn early 1914, Holst heard a performance of Schoenberg’s Five Pieces for Orchestra. This seminal experience along with a suggestion from...
Michael AllenMar 14, 2019Good writers write...alwaysI retired from a 30+ year professional playing career in May 2018. Retire is a funny word because I hardly feel retired. Since before...
Michael AllenMar 14, 2019One on a part follow upI'm working on a large brass ensemble transcription (gasp) of highlights from a Puccini opera. I always immensely enjoyed playing...
Michael AllenJul 29, 2018Color SeparationA single yellow bloom will really pop in a bush of red ones, even though they are all roses.
Michael AllenJul 28, 2018Get your head out of the scoreConductors who can't lift their head out of the score are a pet peeve. It usually means they don't trust their own understanding of the...