Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:50:13 -0700WeeblySun, 29 Sep 2019 18:28:33 GMThttp://martinblessinger.com/blog/nocturne-for-viola-and-pianoOn September 13th, the bicentennial of the musical polymath Clara Schumann, violist Misha Galaganov and pianist John Owings gave a wonderful premiere of my arrangement of her Notturno op. 6, no. 2 for viola and piano.  I've created a page and uploaded a recording of the work, which also exists for viola and orchestra.  The orchestrated version is set to premiere in March, 2020!]]>Thu, 14 Mar 2019 16:44:14 GMThttp://martinblessinger.com/blog/2020-texas-music-teachers-association-commissioned-composerI'm very pleased to announce that I've been named the 2020 Texas Music Teachers Association Commissioned Composer! I will be introduced at this June's convention (and get to hear my friend and 2019 Commissioned Composer David Davies' piece!), and a new work of mine will be premiered at the June 2020 convention in Houston. Thanks to the Fort Worth Music Teachers Association for putting my name in the hat for this prestigious honor!]]>Thu, 07 Feb 2019 20:35:34 GMThttp://martinblessinger.com/blog/spring-2019Spring is shaping up to be an exciting season!  I've had my works accepted on two major festivals/conferences--the 2019 Florida State New Music Festival in Tallahassee, FL in January/February; and the 2019 Society of Composers Region VI conference in Commerce, TX this April.  My music will also be featured on a Texas New Music Ensemble spotlight concert in March.  I've also had a poster presentation accepted on the Texas Society for Music Theory in San Marcos this February as well as a paper presentation on the Music Theory Southeast Conference in Elon, NC in March.  It will be a lot of traveling (which means time away from family), but ya gotta keep hustlin'...]]>Fri, 14 Sep 2018 22:14:44 GMThttp://martinblessinger.com/blog/update-added-songs-of-the-solsticeToday I added a wonderful recording of Songs of the Solstice by Angela Turner Wilson, soprano; and Buddy Bray, piano.  Enjoy!]]>Sun, 11 Feb 2018 22:24:19 GMThttp://martinblessinger.com/blog/2017-calendar-archiveJanuary 20, 2017 - Performance of Celebrations by flutist Shauna Thompson at Stephen F. Austin State University
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February 2, 2017 - Performance of Rhapsody for Flute and Orchestra (version for flute and piano) by flutist Shauna Thompson and pianist Buddy Bray on the SCI Region VI Conference at 4pm at the Irons Recital Hall; University of Texas at Arlington

February 6, 2017 - Performance of Diversions and Escapes by Ataraxia Duo (Kristen Queen, flute; Will Gibbons, piano) at PepsiCo Recital Hall; Texas Christian University

April 8, 2017 - Premiere of Dark Energy for Trombone Ensemble by the TCU Trombone Ensemble on the TCU Trombone Summit; PepsiCo Recital Hall; Texas Christian University

April 20, 2017 - Premiere of Rhapsody for Flute and Orchestra by Shauna Thompson, flute, and the TCU Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Miguel Harth-Bedoya; Ed Landreth Auditorium; Texas Christian University

August 12/13, 2017 - Exordium et Infra Furorem featured on Episode 31 of Houston Public Media's "Encore Houston" program 

October 10, 2017 - performance of Legend Suite by Sherry Rubins at the University of Texas at San Antonio

October 21, 2017 - performance of Rhapsody for Flute and Orchestra by Shauna Thompson, flute, and the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra, conducted by Kurt Sprenger at 7:30pm at Truett Auditorium; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

November 3, 2017 - performance of Exordium et Infra Furorem by violinist Joanna Becker at Lone Star College]]>Thu, 04 Jan 2018 21:19:30 GMThttp://martinblessinger.com/blog/2018-housekeepingI updated my works list and reordered things a little bit for clarity.  I'll get around to the 2018 calendar soon.  Exciting things coming up! ]]>Wed, 06 Sep 2017 13:38:19 GMThttp://martinblessinger.com/blog/updates7098099I updated the calendar of events to reflect some upcoming performances.  About time!  

Speaking of upcoming performances... It's always a privilege to work with an orchestra--especially one with whom I've had such a long and happy relationship.  I love the mission of the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra and the audience it reaches, so I'm very much looking forward to their performance of Rhapsody for Flute and Orchestra this October.  It'll be a fun experience to play in my own piece as well :). ]]>Mon, 08 May 2017 18:51:34 GMThttp://martinblessinger.com/blog/rhapsody-for-flute-and-orchestra9689967On April 20, 2017, Shauna Thompson, along with the TCU Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Miguel Harth-Bedoya, gave a spectacular premiere of my new work, Rhapsody for Flute and Orchestra.  I received the HD video of the event this week and uploaded it to YouTube/my website this afternoon.  Very excited to share this work with the world!

Check out the recording here.
]]>Mon, 19 Dec 2016 01:20:28 GMThttp://martinblessinger.com/blog/exordium-et-infra-furoremEnd of year update: I've uploaded Joanna Becker's excellent recording of Exordium et Infra Furorem to the Works page.  A real pleasure working with such a fabulous musician!]]>Sat, 22 Oct 2016 13:19:22 GMThttp://martinblessinger.com/blog/site-updatesAfter experiencing some temporary site issues, I was able to update the works list to include information about Soaring Above the Rest, the flute method book by Dr. Shauna Thompson for which I composed six etudes.  The site also contains a video of Shauna performing the concert etude from the book, Celebrations.  Check it out by clicking here!]]>