Just finished playing at a retirement party for a wonderful teacher who has been working at the school for 50+ years. Wonderful man who teaches biology. I was approached about this 3 weeks ago and decided chamber strings would be most appropriate (compared to our usual quartet). It included 3 1sts, 3 2nds, 2 violas, 2 cellos, 1 Dbl bass. This is the first time our music program is starting to get recognized in a more important light (not for having a few bad apples). We have played at some venues...

Lately I have been having a real problem sitting down and focusing on an arrangement from start to finish. No matter what song it is, I always feel the need to save and exit, then start composing something new. I personally find practicing composing more important right now, but I also feel that I should finish what I started. I have a HUGE list of songs that I was about 1/2 done with. Its so big that its pushing me to try and finish them. Most of them are from Fire Emblem, but there are a few from...