As we enter not only another year, but another decade, I am reminded of how short and precious our time is on this little planet. I hope that none of you has been personally touched by the devastation in Haiti, but I also hope that you will make a contribution – no matter how [...]]]> Dear Friends,

As we enter not only another year, but another decade, I am reminded of how short and precious our time is on this little planet. I hope that none of you has been personally touched by the devastation in Haiti, but I also hope that you will make a contribution – no matter how small – to the on-going relief efforts. ASCAP and other professional arts organisations are collecting funds, as are Oxfam, Unicef, and any number of other groups.

Independent film Lukisan Hati from HS Maju Productions opens in Malaysia this month; the film brings to life the artwork of Anshari Mohd, as it translates his comic to the big screen. Lukisan Hati is a touching story about love and friendship as seen through the eyes of five teenagers. The soundtrack includes two pieces from my album Seasons of the Heart, ‘I Will Find You’ and ‘Promise of Spring’, as well as songs by the group Hyper Act. The film will also be available as an online download; many people expect this to become the norm over the next few years, as technology capabilities increase and the demand for immediate release intensifies. It’s an exciting time to be alive!

As I mentioned last month, I’m greatly anticipating the upcoming courses I’m teaching through the New Mexico School of Music. Entitled Music Through The Ages, these four-week sessions will explore different facets of music appreciation and history. The first session, beginning January 30th, will be an overview of major periods in music history. Presented in a light-hearted but serious manner, these classes will be filled with historical illustrations and musical trivia, amply illustrated by recordings. Due to their intimate nature, discussion will be encouraged if desired. Please contact the NMSM for further information on 505.266.3474, or email me directly.

As the winter term begins at OASIS, I have a new addition to my schedule: I will now be directing Singing the Showtunes. A group of talented amateur vocalists meets weekly throughout the term to share their love of music not only with one another, but with the community at large. I understand that the class still has openings, and if you’re interested, I would encourage you to sign up as quickly as possible. Singing the Showtunes meets for 12 weeks on Tuesday mornings, for ten rehearsals and two performances.

Radio Jockey Vijayan Almeida (who is also a member of the band KIXMET) featured ‘Follow Your Heart’ from my latest CD on the December 17th edition of his radio programme Beat By Beat, which airs on 105.4 FM Rainbow, in Goa, India. Earlier this month, I was privileged to record both a station ident and a short interview, which will be aired at a later date on his show.

Keyboardist Bonnilyn Neyens and vocalist Lillian Pepple Kallina have been using my set of acclamations, Mass of the Faithful, at St. Martha’s Catholic Church, in Wayland, MO. This is especially meaningful to me as my mother was born in the little town of Wayland; she would have been so pleased.

Other recent performances of my works include: ‘Greensleeves’, ‘The Eternal Rose’, and ‘In the Bleak Mid-winter’ on December 15th, by pianist Wilma Gantz, La Vida Llena Music Ministry; and ‘Christmas Legend’ on December 24, by the children of Paradise Hills United Methodist Church, under the direction of Mollie O’Meara, both in Albuquerque, NM.

As the holidays draw near, I wish all of you the happiest of times and hope you can find joy and peace in the season. This issue is later in the month than usual and will be brief, as I was holding back on publication in hopes of having official word on a couple [...]]]> Dear Friends,

As the holidays draw near, I wish all of you the happiest of times and hope you can find joy and peace in the season. This issue is later in the month than usual and will be brief, as I was holding back on publication in hopes of having official word on a couple of projects to share with you. The January 2010 issue is just around the corner and will have even more news.

My new CD Following My Heart has made its debut on Amazon.com with two five-star reviews, and is selling both in its entirety and as individual tracks in Canada, the UK, Europe, Israel, and the Philippines. Much to my surprise, the breakout single has not been ‘Raindance’, but the second track, ‘Keeper of My Heart’. Be sure to stop by and support KC Café Internet Radio which is dedicated to bringing you the finest in original music from around the world. Currently the station is playing tracks from both the new album and my seasonal album Flowers in Winter. As always, you can order copies of my CDs directly through me, or by accessing the links to your favourite retailers via my website.

I’m very excited about the upcoming courses that I will be teaching through the New Mexico School of Music. Entitled Music Through The Ages, these classes will be intimate, four-week sessions exploring different facets of music appreciation and history. The first session, which begins January 30th, 2010, will be an overview of major periods in music history. These light-hearted but serious classes will be filled with historical illustrations and musical trivia, amply illustrated by recordings. Due to their intimate nature, discussion will be encouraged if desired. Please contact the NMSM for further information on 505.266.3474, or email me directly.

In other news, violinist Wesley Yu and pianist Amelia Leung premiered Away in a Manger, December 19th, in El Paso, TX. The work is the result of a collaborative arrangement by composer/violinist Hanson Yu and me, which blends two different traditional melodies of this classic Christmas carol. And last, but not least, the new independent film Lukisan Hati, which opens in Malaysia on January 15, 2010, will be using some of my music in the soundtrack. Hopefully there will be more news on that front in January.