M Ryan Taylor

Newest Posts

• Working up a Halloween storm . . .

  There may be those of you who read my blog that don't know that I've written some silly children's music apart from all that serious art song, chamber music and opera stuff. Probably the best of this, though I am fond of my Thanksgiving collection as well, is my Halloween book of songs and album: Thirteen for Halloween. I've recently been working on building a site around this collection at http://ThirteenforHalloween.com - so if you're young, know someone who is young, or young at heart, I hope you'll go over that way and leave a comment or two. Still lots to do, but there is plenty to see and hear already, so enjoy!

• The Mormon Conspiracy

  As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons), I thought this was very funny:

• Food for Thought, a definition of Modern Liberalism

  This was pointed out in John C. Wright's blog. Wright is my absolute favorite "new" writer in speculative fiction. His books are like essays in moral thought, only interesting.

• "Harvest Hymn" discussed

  Just released a new work for SATB choir acapella entitled Harvest Hymn. I just wanted to say a couple of things about it that I probably wouldn't put on the 'product' page of my choir site.

• Elder Hostel

  Lynn Jemison-Keisker, director of their Opera Theatre program invited me. She, on piano, and soprano Venicia Wilson performed my song cycle "All Heaven and it was One Hour Old" as the subject of the lecture/panel discussion for the hour and a half class. It was a great experience.

• Quoted

  I've been quoted in an article about NPAC by Megan Young for Opera America : http://www.operaamerica.org/Content/Archive/Publications/ENewsletterArticles/artistarticle071408.aspx

• Inspiration on the Arts from Jim Collins

  Jim Collins was one of the general session speakers at the National Performing Arts Convention in Denver last month. He had a few thoughts that I deeply resonated with.

• Hope in Despair - Gerard Mortier at Opera America Conference in Denver

  He spoke about the essence of opera and why we love it. The mystery that opera expresses is that of the spirit and the body, of hope in the face of despair and the transcending of death. In opera, they sing so beautifully when they are dying and we hope that it will be so with us when our time comes; that we too will sing beautifully. He mentioned the Orpheus legend - the singer crosses the bounds of death and brings the gods to tears. That is what opera is all about, at least to Gerard Mortier.

• Touch the Sound

  I highly suggest checking out this documentary on percussionist Evelyn Glennie.

• Home Again from NPAC

  I was able to attend NPAC through an Opera America scholarship this past week. I wasn't really sure what to expect or what I'd get out of the conference, but in the end it was a great experience and I am really grateful to have been able to attend.

• Small World Fantasies for SQ

  My new string quartet is available for download. Written in early 2008 especially for a Salty Cricket Composers Collective concert.

• Please name me! (on titling works)

  A composer at New Music Box is facing the titling dilema. Title the work? or use the generic "Untitled" for a piece. This was my response.

• String Quartet : finished?

  Anyway, whatever it is going to be called, the premiere will be on June 14th. That much I know.

• Stridulation Concert, June 14, 2008

  The next Salty Cricket Concert is coming up soon. My new string quartet, Small World Fantasies, will be premiered then.

• Time Management for Creative Types

  One of the things I'm really grateful for is that I've come up with a time management system that I finally feel I can live with and will keep me going.

• Other Wise Man : Vocal Score

  You can get "The Other Wise Man" piano/vocal score at Lulu.com

• Other Wise Man : Video, Live 12-23-06

  Cast:Janilyn Anderson, sopranoBrian Manternach, tenorLynnette Owens, mezzoGary Sorenson, baritoneM Ryan Taylor, baritoneVenicia Wilson, soprano

• Other Wise Man : Audio, Live 12-23-06

  Live Performance Audio from The Other Wise Man, performed 12-23-06

• Other Wise Man : Synopsis, Libretto, Poster & Prompt Book

  Artaban searches the heavens for the new star that will herald the birth of the King of Light. He attempts to persuade his fellow magi to join him on his quest, but is left to make the journey to Jerusalem alone . . .

• ABINADI : DVD available, and other fun links

  ABINADI : The DVD, external articles, clippets, singers and more . . .

• You bring the Music to Life

  Pitch in to help get the art songs recorded.

• Works

  The obligatory works list, I try to keep it updated, but it may not have the very, very latest on here.

• William Byrd’s Eight Reasons for Singing

  William Byrd on singing: "It is a singular good remedie for stammering in the speech" and other tidbits of wisdom.

• Welcome to my Home

  Welcome to my home page. This page is a jumping off point for all my projects. It also contains my bios, headshot and card for use in printed programs.

• Dixie & Me

• Masks 3 - Dracula : Detail

• Masks 3 - Dracula

• Masks 2 - Frankenstein's Monster

• Masks 1 - Headless Horseman

• Madame Rosemerta's Halloween Party Game

• 13 numbered Spider Clock Face

• Merry Halloween

• Children of the Corn

• Tears of the Bride

• Spider and Fly 2

• Spider and Fly 1

• To the Edge of the Earth

• Paul Simon Bookends

• One Hour Old - View 1

• One Hour Old - View 2

• Mad

• Dragonsbane

• Dragon Youth

• Anne Marie

• Love Sun

• the Force and the Flow

• The Moon : a portait

• The Sun : self portrait

• Fawn

• Music as a Metaphor for Life

  What meaning can music have? Can a tune portray a specific event or storyline? There are many pieces and works that are definately associated with stories and events, but is it really the music that tells the story? or is it the title of the piece, words and images that go along with music (as in songs or movies), or even the program notes at a concert?