Brandon Nelson

“How Do You Decide What Piece to Write Next?”

May 23, 2013
Many people still harbor romantic notions of composers. I often get the impression that they think we drift from project to project on the wings of some mysterious force called “inspiration,” perhaps while hunched over a piece of manuscript parchment, ink quill in hand and scowling at a stingy muse.

In reality, the question of what we work on is mostly about how one chooses to manage their time and what one’s professional priorities are. I’ll illustrate from my own experiences.

What composing tends to look like.

Since I usually have little time to compose most days, I have to maximize the impact by focusing on projects that have a clearly-defined future. Thus, if I’m working on a piece, it’s usually for one of these reasons:
- commission
- contest/call for scores
- strong publication potential (or request from publisher)
Read the rest of this (and much more) in my book Writing and Living in the Real World: Advice For Young Composers
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What is a Composition Career?

March 22, 2013
From a practical standpoint, the field of composition is not well-defined. There is no formal path laid out for the practitioner. Seniority isn’t necessarily rewarded, and neither, for that matter, merit. (Indeed, who would define “merit” and how would they do it?) There is no predetermined ladder for one to climb once one graduates from college as there is in more common occupational paths. Determining what a “career” consists of and what, by extension, “success,” means, becomes a real challenge and can be a source of great anxiety and stress.

That we have no formal career plot is both a blessing a a curse: it’s freeing in that we can determine our own course, but with that freedom comes enormous uncertainty and no sense of security.

This dichotomy is an especial challenge for young composers, who often get caught in the trap of comparing themselves to “big names” and either become obsessed in trying to emulate them or become helplessly mired in jealousy and envy. We begin to see, however, that pathways in composition are just as individual as the composer–trying to follow someone else’s path is ultimately counterproductive and will be personally unsatisfying. The path that a composer embarks on must take into account many personal factors: creative desires, lifestyle requirements/restrictions, etc.

Read the rest of this (and much more) in my book Writing and Living in the Real World: Advice For Young Composers
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Dreamland (horn solo)

March 21, 2013
The richly-detailed, darkly-evocative atmosphere of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic poem Dreamland was the inspiration for this piece. Each section of the music (there are five, just as there are five stanzas in the poem) reflects my interpretation of moods or events in the poem. Listeners and performers alike are encouraged to read Poe’s work before delving into this piece.
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Time Management and the “Part Time” Composer

February 20, 2013
In a recent Composer’s Digest entry, I outlined several changes I wanted to make to enhance my professional productivity. A short while after publishing that, I hit upon the idea of creating for myself an annual production schedule (that is, mapping out all the projects I would complete during the course of the year and an approximate time frame in which to complete each project). I was really taken with this idea as I thought it would give me more focus and thus lead to more pieces being completed. As I began to sit down to put this list together, however, I kept coming back to the question:

When during the day will I actually DO the composing?

A tricky point, considering (as is the case for many of my fellow “part time” composers) I have a job, go to school, have an active family, and participate in community music groups. Those rare occasions when I have down time, I’m usually too physically or mentally exhausted to do anything else.

So it became clear that, while having a production queue was a fine idea, I was first going to have to figure out a way to organize my life.

Read the rest of this (and much more) in my book Writing and Living in the Real World: Advice For Young Composers
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The Inspiration Project

January 8, 2013
There’s no worse feeling for a composer than looking down at the blank page and getting an overwhelming feeling of “now what?”

It’s in trying to conquer that feeling that this project came into being.

Perhaps you’ve seen those little trays at convenience stores that say “Need a Penny? Take a Penny. Have a Penny? Leave a Penny.” That’s akin to how this project works. Here you’ll find germinal notions or broad concepts that could be taken in any number of directions. If you need something to get your mind moving, hopefully you can find it here. Or if you have such ideas yourself, hopefully you’ll share them for others.

To sum it all up:

If you have an idea, share it. If you need an idea, take one.

Note: Over the years, I’ve taken much impetus from Vincent Persichetti’s seminal “Twentieth Century Harmony.” The book is a gold mine of ideas and I’ve listed some of them here to get things started. The numbers in brackets refer to page numbers in the book.

-develop musical materials around particular intervals (“zones” of interval deployment; one phrase could explore seconds, the next fifths, etc.) [22]

-use lines of chained intervals contrapuntally, as you would with single melodic lines [22]

Get more ideas from my book Composer’s Toolbox: Practical Ideas to Inspire
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Pax Aeterna (orchestra)

January 5, 2013
I normally don’t enter competitions, but this one piqued my attention. The Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra announced a young composer’s prize and I, being from the same region as Duluth, thought I’d give it a shot. My piece ended up winning and they performed it twice–at the premier and at a concert about a year later. It was a real honor and the performance was quite nice.

About the Piece

Pax Aeterna (“the peace eternal”) is a musical prayer for lasting peace in the world. Using a simple, plaintive melody as its basis, the orchestra brings the listener through dramatic peaks and valleys reflecting on the struggle of realizing the goal of peace.
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Silent Night: Spiritus Mundi (jazz band)

December 11, 2012
Commissioned by the Gwinn High School Jazz Band (Gwinn, MI), this is a colorful, dramatic setting of Silent Night. With this project, I wanted to compose something “outside the box” for a holiday tune–really see where I could go with jazz expression. The students and audience alike seemed to really appreciate it and I hope you will too!

About the Piece

Silent Night: Spiritus Mundi was inspired by the darkly-moving W.B. Yeats poem The Second Coming. The carol tune was couched in a variety of contexts to reflect the idea of hope gradually emerging through the misery and cynicism of the present age.
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Meditative Alleluia (satb choir)

September 24, 2012
A contemplative contemporary alleluia with rich, engaging harmonies and peaceful flow. Perfect for church or concert settings.

Get the music here!
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Selected Latin Texts for Vocal Setting

September 19, 2012
Over the years, I’ve complied a number of sacred Latin texts that I felt were interesting in content, word-sound, or would otherwise be well-adapted to choral settings. I share them with you here.

Ab occultis meis munda me, Domine: et ab alienis parce servo tuo.

From my secret sins, cleanse me, O Lord: and from those of others spare Thy servant.

Communion – Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent

Absolve, Domine, animas omnium fidelium defunctorum. Et gratia tua illis succurrente mereantur evadere judicium ultionis. Et lucis aeternae beatitudine perfrui.

Absolve, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from every bond of sin. And by the help of Thy grace, may they be enabled to escape the avenging judgment. And enjoy the happiness of everlasting light.

Tract – The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, Mass for the Dead, the Daily Mass for the Departed

Ad Dominum cum tribularer clamavi, et exaudivit me. Domine, libera animam meam a labiis iniquis, et a lingua dolosa.

In my trouble I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips, and a deceitful tongue.

Gradual – Friday of the Second Week in Lent, and Second Sunday after Pentecost

Amavit eum Dominus, et ornavit eum: stolam gloriae induit eum. Alleluia.

The just shall spring as the lily; and shall flourish forever before the Lord. Alleluia.

Alleluia – Common of a Doctor

Amen dico vobis, quidquid orantes petitis, credite quia accipietis, et fiet vobis.

Amen I say to you, whatsoever you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive and it shall be done to you.

Communion – Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

Angelus Domini descenditde caelo, et dixit mulieribus: Quem quaeritis, surrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.

An angel of the Lord descended from heaven and said to the women: He whom you seek is risen as He said, alleluia.

Offertory – Easter Monday, Easter Tuesday, Low Sunday

Ave Rex noster, tu solus nostros es miseratus errores: Patri obediens, ductus es ad crucifigendum, ut agnus mansuetus ad occisionem. Alleluia.

Hail Thou our King: Thou alone hast had compassion on our errors; obedient to the Father, Thou wert led to be crucified like a meek lamb to the slaughter. Alleluia.

Alleluia – Votive Mass of the Passion of the Lord

Beati mundo corde, quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt: beati pacifici, quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur: beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God: blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God: blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Communion – Feast of All Saints

Bonum est confiteri Domino et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime.

It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to Thy name, O Most High.

Offertory – Septuagesima Sunday

Brachia peccatorum conterentur, confirmat autem justos Dominus.

The arms of the wicked shall be broken in pieces, but the Lord strengtheneth the just.

Communion – St. John Damascene

Candor est lucis aeternae, speculum sine macula, et imago bonitatis illus. Alleluia.

He is the brightness of eternal light, the unspotted mirror, and the image of His goodness. Alleluia.

Alleluia – The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Christo confixus sum cruci: vivo ego, jam non ego, vivit vero in me Christus. Alleluia.

With Christ I am nailed to the cross: I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me. Alleluia.

Alleluia – St. Ignatius

Christus semel oblatus est ad multorum exhaurienda peccata: secundo sine peccato apparebit expectantibus se in salutem.

Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of the many; the second time He shall appear without sin to them that expect Him, unto salvation.

Communion – Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Circumdederunt me gemitus mortis, Dolores inferni circumdederunt me: et in tribulatione mea invocavi Dominum, et exaudivit de templo sancto suo vocem meam. Diligam te, Domine, fortitude mea: Dominus firmamentum meum, et refugium meum, et liberator meus. Gloria Patri.

The sorrows of death surround me, the sorrows of hell encompassed me: and in my affliction I called upon the Lord, and He heard my voice from His holy temple. I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength: the Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer. Glory be to the Father.

Introit – Septuagesima Sunday

Ego sum pastor bonus: et cognosco oves meas, et cognoscunt me meae. Alleluia.

I am the good shepherd: and I know My sheep, and Mine know me. Alleluia.

Alleluia – Second Sunday after Easter

Cognovi, Domine, quia aequitas judicia tua, et in veritate tua humiliasti me: confige timore tuo carnes meas, a mandatis tuis timui. Beati immaculati in via: qui ambulant in lege Domini. Gloria Patri.

I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are equity, and in Thy truth Thou hast humbled me: pierce Thou my flesh with Thy fear, I am afraid of Thy judgments. Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord. Glory be to the Father.

Introit – Common of a Holy Woman Not a Martyr

Commovisti, Domine, terram, et conturbasti eam. Sana contritiones ejus, quia mota est. Ut fugiant a facie arcus: ut liberentur electi tui.

Thou hast moved the earth, O Lord, and hast troubled it. Heal Thou the breaches thereof, for it has been moved. That they may flee from the bow: that Thine elect may be delivered.

Tract – Sexagesima Sunday

Communicantes Christi passionibus gaudete, ut in revelatione gloriae ejus gaudeatis exsultantes, alleluia.

If you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, that when His glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy, alleluia.

Communion – St. Paul of the Cross

Confortamini, et jam nolite timere: ecce enim Deus noster retribuet judicium: ipse veniet et slavos nos faciet.

Take courage, and now fear not: for behold our God will bring judgment: He Himself will come and will save us.

Offertory – Wednesday in Ember Week of Advent

Crastina die delebitur iniquitas terrae: et regnabit super nos Salvator mundi. Alleluia.

Tomorrow shall the iniquity of the earth be abolished: and the Savior of the world shall reign over us. Alleluia.

Alleluia – Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord

Custodi me, Domine, de manu peccatoris: et ab hominibus iniquis eripe me.

Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from the unjust men deliver me.

Offertory – Tuesday in Holy Week

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Lullaby (piano)

September 18, 2012
I wrote this piece for my three children. Watching them fall asleep is still a very special time (even as they get older) and I wanted to convey gentleness and a gradual slip into slumber with this music.

Technically, the piece makes use of a synthetic pentatonic scale and it’s “modes.” It’s essentially in three parts, with the third part “stretching out” the basic material from the first section in augmentation.
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