Month: December 2013
I Hear America Singing
My largest work to premier this year was for a patriotic program, I Hear America Singing. It’s written for Baritone soloist, mixed chorus, and orchestra. The text is from Walt Whitman.
I wrote it with the wonderful voice of Thomas Potter in mind, and was very fortunate that he was available for the performance.
Listen to: I Hear America Singing.
You can also download the text here.
It Was Never About The Money, Stupid
Great article by Rick Falkyinge about how the copyright changes have never been about benefiting the only real stakeholders in copyright, the public!
Read the article here.
Head of US Copyright Office, To Meet With Music Creators
An interview with Maria Pallante, Head of the US Copyright Office, and discussion of the upcoming leadership roundtables with music creators:
Maria Pallante, Head of US Copyright Office, To Meet With Music Creators: Exclusive | Billboard.
Copyright’s Blind Spot: The Innovation Asymmetry
Nice article by Michael Carrier about the emphasis on infringing uses of copyright and under appreciation of non-infringing uses:
Copyright’s Blind Spot: The Innovation Asymmetry
Commerce Assistant Secretary speaking on Copyright Policy
A Christmas carol
Last year, First United Methodist Church of Orlando liked one of my Christmas carols (originally for chorus and organ) so much that they commissioned an orchestral arrangement.
I probably wouldn’t have considered doing that on my own, and it turned out really well. Thanks, Bill!
Listen to: A Christmas Carol.
You can also download the text here.
Australian Legal action over background music
Australian record labels take legal action against restaurants and cafes not paying fees for background music. Read the article-here.
How Writers Coped Without Copyright
Copyright system is broken
The MPAA claims that in a 6 month period it sent 11 million takedown notices to search engines and another 13 million to sites directly.
There are those who argue this demonstrates that copyright infringers have the upper hand. But keep in mind these are just takedown notices, the entertainment industry doesn’t have to prove any infringement took place, let alone operate with good faith or care. Many have noted that illegitimate takedown requests are common, mostly because there are almost no consequences for abuse.