Hello! If you're reading this, then you are on my mailing list. I'm using this list to update people on my latest creative work, which is always posted on my website. I send one of these emails every month. If you'd prefer not to be on this mailing list, please reply and let me know.

To watch a video version of this message, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK8_QtUtguQ

Personal Life

July was busy. I've been juggling a day job and a full musical life, working around 60-80 hours a week. That situation won't last forever, but I'm grateful for the work. It makes me admire people who pursue passion projects while working a full time job. This last month had that character for me.

I remember talking with a professor at UMass when I started accompanying there. When I started to complain about being too busy, he stopped me and said, "Good for you." He reminded me to be grateful for the music work I had, and not to complain about it, because I was doing what I wanted to do. He was right. I've worked hard to be able to work hard...

Concert on September 25

I've been preparing for a four hands concert with local pianist Graham Yates. The concert will be on September 25 at 2:00 p.m. at Premier Music Academy in Round Rock. We will be performing music by Ravel, Stravinsky, Gershwin, and P.D.Q. Bach. We'll also be premiering an arrangement I did of "On The Road Again" by Willie Nelson.

Audio Store

I released a new track on my audio store in July: Search Below The Earth

My audio store is a growing resource for media and content producers. The music there is free to listen to and enjoy. To use the music there in your video or audio product, subscribe to the website at $4/month.

Mull of Kintyre

My piano student ML released a new track on my website this July: her own piano arrangement of Paul McCartney's Mull of Kintyre. Please go check it out and support her!

I'm very happy to be able to share this. It seems like many of my students have been drawn to composing and arranging. I love to create new music, so that works out well.

Dynamo Dream

Ian Hubert recently used one of my tracks in his science fiction web series, "Dynamo Dream".

Ian Hubert is a very talented digital artist who I interviewed for my website in 2012. I've known about his work since 2004 when I followed him on the site Renderosity.com. This video is the first Dynamo Dream episode, "Salad Mug". It uses my piece "Bittersweet Romance" in the credits.

Ian is a master at creating futuristic landscapes and detail-rich, lovingly crafted environments. I love his work and he's spent years on this video, so it's great to see that it's getting an extremely positive reception on YouTube.

Conclusion

Thank you for your interest in my work! I appreciate your support. To follow my various endeavors, visit www.bentibbetts.net.

Ben