Original Music
In 1985, at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft NJ, they received a one million dollar grant for their Electronic Music Studio. I took full advantage of it for nearly 4 years - two while I was a student, and another two years as a lab assistant (with the perk of having access to the studio).
Electronic Music gave me the instant gratification of being able to write, score, arrange, and produce any sound or instrument I wanted, down to realistic guitar riffs and horns, right from the keyboard - and we had the state of the art synthesizer, the Kurzweil K250.
I loved creating music ever since. Below are some pieces resurrected from 1985 all the way to present time.
In The Classroom
This is the first multi-timbral (multi-instrument) assignment in my first Electronic Music class. It's a riff on the nursery song, 3 Blind Mice.
While corny and synthy, this was my first time arranging multiple parts, including drums and bass. I started seeing the possibilities of what electronic music could be capable of.
(Oberheim Matrix 12 Analog Synth with guitar and bass samples from the EMU Emulator III)
CopY
What I Know
Back in the 80's, the nightly news always started with an electronic loop riff, and I wanted to take those simple loops and see how far I could take it. All instruments are generated by the Kurzweil 250. The recording was done via MIDI on a DOS app called Sequencer+.
Make It Sound Real
Our professor gave me a unique challenge in my last semester at Brookdale. Using the Kurzweil synth, create an orchestral piece. The synth was famous for beautiful orchestral sounds, and this was one of my first arrangements using this many instruments - loosely riffing off of the 12 days of Christmas. Challenge accepted!
1st Song
It was time to create my 1st full song. I've been playing around with this melody for years, but I now had the equipment to produce it. I've since replaced my shaky vocals.
Not My Words
From the popular Christian poem, "Footprints in the Sand," I wanted to put it to music - which proved to be very difficult.
"The Fury" was written by a classmate, who wrote the lyrics and wrote a piano arrangement. She asked me to produce it for her in the studio with other instruments (via synth). The hook is both haunting and beautiful.
In My
Rock Band Days
The RAGE
I was part of a band called, "The Rage." In my first 6 months, we won a Battle of the Bands, which came with a recording contract. It was a local band, not too far from Asbury Park, NJ - and we would occasionally play the Stone Pony before "The Boss" would play a few sets. So is it a stretch to say we opened for Springsteen?
The last two songs were recorded with another band about 2 years later.
Christian
Music
I was a church choir director for a few years, and it was an amazing opportunity to write original music for the choir. Occasionally, I would write a piece for a soloist or duet.
I'm slowly finding old recordings, and recreating them with updated arrangements and vocals. There may be more to come in this section.
Personal
Music
Someday You'll Be Mine was a song written and sung by a college buddy who grabbed 5 hours of studio time and asked me to lay down a piano track.
My brother asked me to help him write a song for his future wife on their wedding day. This is a remaster of "This is Our Day."
Coming into my mid-20's, and immature, I was rattled by customers while working in a computer retail store. "Revenge of the Nerds" is a form of music therapy.
My wife (fiancé at the time in 1994) asked me to write a wedding song for us. The 3rd song in this list is a remastered version of "Journey's."
The final song in this list is called, "Birthday Impressions." I used a small piece of this during a video beginning & ending of my niece's 1st bday party video. This is the extended version.
Present
Day
With the help of the newest DAWS (Digital Audio Workstations), AI, and Garage Band, it's easier than ever to bring creativity to life.
Introducing
Naperville Nights
Through the Chamber of Commerce introductions, I've met 9 lifelong friends who share a love of cigars. We call ourselves COD (Cigars on Deck) as we rotate on each other's deck during the warmer months. For the past 17 years, we've met nearly every two weeks on a Thursday night.
The video below, along with the first track, is the original score I came up with. The next one is a live version, followed by an a cappella version. My favorite, however, is the Anthem version on the last track.