Guest Speaker – Dan Forrest
Dan Forrest, an acclaimed composer of choral, instrumental, orchestral, and wind band works, recently gave a lecture in MBU’s Arranging and Composing Repertoire class.
The class was “inspirational and practical, regardless of the skill of writer,” said Dr. David Ledgerwood.
Forrest began the class by going over several points of writing and arranging, and then he opened the session to questions. Throughout the forty minutes of question and answer time, he shared personal experiences and stories of music making, answering many questions ranging from his daily routine to publishing tips.
“He suggested that every piece needed a point of inspiration, whether derived from a text, or a musical idea,” Ledgerwood remarked. “He demonstrated that with one of his works we had recently performed for our Christmas concert, ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.’” But great music and inspiration doesn’t always come easy even to those who we consider the masters of the craft. “Sometimes it’s a lot more perspiration than inspiration,” Forrest shared.
He also encouraged students to not be afraid to ask for help. “Ask people who play the instrument you’re writing for,” he said. Ask for feedback, and make adjustments based on their comments. “Listen to your piece as though you’ve never heard it before,” he said. Oblaka biorevitalizacija
As he closed the class, Forrest remarked, “Whatever you do in music making, take this good gift, and make the absolute best of it that you can, whatever part you have in it.”
If you would like to watch the recording of the class, please email hannah.milam@mbu.edu.