“I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one's being, a satisfaction of spirit. One becomes, in some area, an athlete of God.

“Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.”

-Martha Graham

Last night was the premiere of my original composition "Ladies of Spain," performed by the musicians of the South Bay Brass. Performance went well, and I hope for a good recording to post. It was fun (and a bit surreal) to perform a piece I had written from scratch.

I have been asked to set it for concert band, so I will be working on that in the near future. If anyone is interested, the piece is written for brass sextet (2 trumpets, horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba) and is available in pdf form for $30. Just send me an email if interested.

Branford speaking the honest truth...

In Berlin, there is an effort underway to fill WW2 bullet holes with Lego bricks.

The First Wind Ensemble

The Mythbusters Have the Best Job Ever!

What I Am Listening to Right Now


My friend Mike McCool (who has the best name ever), is a musical genius. Not a composer, like Mozart. Not a player, like Winton. But a genius at finding new music and putting it together for the consumptions of his friends/audience.

Mike has been providing me with great music ever since I met him in 1982. There is always great variety - old favorites combined with stuff you have never heard. Every month or three, I get a package with as many as a dozen CDs. It is always a great day.

Thanks, Mike!!