J. Eric Schmidt

2010-12-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

On December 9th I was an evaluator at Valencia High

School for several of their students senior projects.

I had an fantastic group of kids that all showed real focus

and energy, as well as presence.

2010-12-13T14:24:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, December 5th I attended, as chaperone,

Candlelight at Disneyland. The afternoon rehearsal was

marvelous and quite moving. However, Mr. Weather arrived

and rained out the two evening performances.

2010-12-13T14:17:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, December 2 Steven's musical was premiered

at Valencia High School. MAD WORLD examines just what was

occurring in the tumultuous life of Lewis Carroll when he was

writing "Alice In Wonderland". Steven composed an emotional

score with intense and moving lyrics. His work already shows a very

musically mature voice. He assembled a small band and they accompanied

an extremely talented cast. It ran just two nights, but was such a

success that it will continue to be work shopped this spring.

2010-12-13T14:10:00.000-08:00

Here's what happened in November:

Teaching is still plugging along. I produced a recording

session for my class at THE BRIDGES, a rather new, and excellent,

medium size recording stage in Glendale. I've added a few new private

composition students. Our son, Steven, has written a musical and

I got to do the lead sheets for all the music. I spent several days

working on college application materials for both boys. Still

have 2-3 city events to attend to each week. On the 20th I produced

another scoring session, this time at the Spielberg Stage at USC.

2010-12-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

A quick review of what happened in October:

Still teaching two days a week.

The 13th thru the 17th I traveled to Deerfield Illinois

(just north of Chicago) to attend my high schools 50 anniversary.

While visiting the hallowed halls of dear old Deerfield High School,

I participated in an alumni discussion panel for 600 of the current

students. I gave lectures on film and tv composition to the choir

and a theory class. The DHS band director, Dan Brame was kind

(or foolish) enough to give me his concert band for an hour. I had

them run thru a movement from one of my concert band compositions

PICTURES AT AN ANIMATION EXHIBITION. I added their

orchestras string section to the piece and we ended up with a

great sounding ensemble of almost a 100 kids.

2010-12-13T13:56:00.000-08:00

It's now September 1 and two days a week are committed to teaching.

Weekends are going to be filled up the next six weeks constructing a

very large shade structure in the courtyard of our church. I attend one,

or two Arts Commission events a week and am able to squeeze in a

bit of composition time now and then.

2010-12-13T13:51:00.000-08:00

August 2nd thru 6th I had a couple of my smart USC grad come up and get me up to speed on DP. I then spent the next few weeks composing and sequencing material for a new CD project that should be finished up by the first of the year. On August 23 I started back to teaching composition and conducting for the film scoring program at USC (called, Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television).

2010-12-13T12:17:00.000-08:00

The first three weeks of July were very relaxed work wise.

I spent quite a bit of time with Arts Commission meetings and events.

Several days were focused on college search and preparation for both of our boys.

The last week of July I arranged a series of worship praise tunes for a horn

funk band we call "The Phunky Pharisees". Our premiere performance was

at a block party at Valencia United Methodist Church.

2010-06-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

I spent the first two weeks of June with some time off

(raising teenagers is such hard and tiring work).

June 15-18 I was a judge for the 2010 music categories in

the primetime Emmy Awards. Also that week I had several

Art Commission meetings. On June 22 we attended the

Cal Poly SLO Wind Ensemble concert at Disney Hall in Los Angeles.

2010-05-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Just finished an orchestration, of composer Greg Edmonson's score to

UNCHARTED 2, for the Video Games Live Concert series.

Look for an performance of it soon.

2010-04-29T11:15:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-04-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-29T10:43:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-04-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

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".

2010-04-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

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

College TV Awards sponsored by

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

2010-04-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

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."

2010-04-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

February 2010

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

"The College TV Awards".

2010-04-02T16:09:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-02T15:56:00.000-07:00

September 2, 2009

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

This internet thing may actually have a future.

2010-04-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-02T15:49:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-08-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

August, 20, 2009

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

catagories: Outstanding Music Composition for a Minseries, Movie or Special;

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special; Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series; Outstanding Music Composition for a Series; Outstanding Main Title Music for a Series