The last weekend in April I chaperoned the Valencia High School

Jazz Choir trip to the Reno Jazz Festival. One of my charts was performed.

More interesting was that Steven, our son, had his arrangement of

"Eleanor Rigby" performed and received an award for

OUTSTANDING MUSICIANSHIP.

April 14-19 I ran up to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and did a series of

presentations to their music classes. I gave a master class to the conducting

students, focusing on how a scoring session is handled and what makes it

different from conducting a live concert. I gave a lecture to the music

appreciation class, discussing film and television music. I coached the

saxophone quartet in a rehearsal and had several very nice meals with

the music faculty members.

The majority of my time was spent rehearsing the All-State Music Festival

Wind Orchestra. 75 of California's finest high school musicians were

selected for this wonderful group. After chair auditions Friday afternoon

we had a 2 hour evening rehearsal. Saturday we spent 6 hours rehearsing

and then spent the evening attending the Cal Poly concert where I guest

conducted the world premier of a "Cobalt Fire". A piece dedicated to

Director of Bands, at Cal Poly, Bill Johnson, celebrating his 43 years as

a university educator. Sunday morning we rehearsed for another 3 hours

and then had a joyous luncheon with all the kids. The Sunday afternoon

concert was a musical treat. The students performed very difficult music,

very beautifully, both emotionally and technically. I composed a piece for

them "Chaos Theory" that was warmly received by the audience. I had two

of my 'young' USC Film Scoring students compose new works for the ensemble.

The remainder of the program included several movements from my band

literature catalog "Resonant Reflections, Chorals for Band" and

"Pictures At An Animation Exhibition". The concert, and really the entire

week was a most enjoyable experience.

March 26-27 I spent at the Fullerton Jazz Festival.

On March 25 I was interviewed on our local radio station

KHTS by Paul Strickland. We discussed my career composing

for animation series produced by Warner Bros. and Disney.

The second weekend in March found me up in Sacramento hanging out

at the CMEA convention. My arrangement of I"It Don't Mean A Thing",

for 7-part jazz choir was premiered. My son, Steven, also had his first

chart for jazz choir premiered "Eleanor Rigby".

On February 18th I was a Blue-Panel Judge for the

College TV Awards sponsored by

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

I spent most of January and February composing two new works for

Concert Band. "Chaos Theory" to be premiered by the Cal Poly

All-State Music Festival Band and "Cobalt Fire" for William V. Johnson,

celebrating his 43 years of college music teaching.

On January 1st I attended my first meeting for the newly established City of Santa Clarita Arts Commission. As one of five appointed commissioners our goal is...

"To facilitate achievement in the arts for the benefit of the entire community."

March 14, 2010

I just returned from a weekend, up in Sacramento, attending the CMEA convention.

Our son, Steven was selected (1 0f 16) to the All-State Jazz Choir.

They performed a fabulous concert.

February 2010

I spent a few days as a judge for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences program

"The College TV Awards".

Feb. 15, 1020

I've spent the past 8 weeks working on two new pieces for concert band.

"Cobalt Fire" has been commissioned by the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Wind Ensemble

to celebrate the career of Bill Johnson, who is retiring after 43 years teaching at Cal Poly.

It is my honor to compose a piece for one of my most influential music mentors.

I've written "Chaos Theory" for the 2010 All-State Festival Wind Orchestra, which I am guest conducting this coming April.

November 30, 2009

My arrangement, for vocal jazz ensemble of "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got Swing"

was premiered by the Valencia High school jazz choir "2 and 4" at the Cuesta College Jazz Festival.

November 21, 2009

I spent September and the first week of OCtober orchestrating and conducting the

Disney Channel film "Sky Runners". It will air in the next few weeks.

November 20, 2009

This from an article in our local paper, The Signal:

On November 11th the city (0f Santa Clarita, population 220,000) appointed the first five members to the city's newly formed Arts Commission. Eric Schmidt was selected, along with four others, from 18 applicants. The arts Commission will promote art and culture events in the city and advise city officials on issues pertaining to artistic and cultural programs throughout the city.

November 20, 2009

The Sony Play Station 3 video game that I orchestrated and conducted fro composer

Greg Edmonson, was released last month. "Uncharted 2, Among Thieves" has received extremely

high ratings and has been mentioned by many as "the best game ever".

It's flying off of the shelves. They've already ordered the sequel.

September 9, 2009

I just sold my first two CDs off of my website. Hurray!!!

(At this rate the site should pay for itself in 4.9 years).

Actually, I'm excited to see that all of the hard work, to get the site up and running, is beginning to pay off. I haven't done any real marketing, to drive traffic to the site, and already positive

results are showing up.

September 2, 2009

I've just sold my first 'self-published' composition off of my website.

This internet thing may actually have a future.

August 26, 2009

I just started back at USC, yesterday, teaching my own course that focuses on conducting

and composition for film and television music. The class of twenty students, from around the world, is very talented and eager to learn. It's a great feeling being a part of such an exciting journey.

August 20, 2009

Eric just completed acting as a judge for the Emmy Awards in the following catagories:

Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or Special,

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special,

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series, and

Outstanding Main Title Music for a Series.