What a Beautiful Mess I'm In

Well the biggest thing that has happened in my life recently is meeting Christie. We met online, which I was very skeptical of. I don't normally do these things but since I was new to the area, I thought I might meet someone to show me around.

Well I forgot about it until I graduated and thought I might check it out again. She responded within a week of me resetting my profile up. We traded e-mails and finally met up for coffee. She was really pretty and I think we carried on a good conversation getting to know each other.

We planned a second meeting and our first date for a Tuesday we walked around DC and ate in Chinatown and got more comfortable with each other.

We continued hanging out meeting up until finally we cooked dinner last Thursday and she gave me a card that she had written to me telling me she liked me and it was so sweet. We have spent so much time together lately and I really like this girl a lot! She's a special girl.




She's my beautiful mess!

"In the Mood"

Well, here's the biggest bit of news that has happened to me lately:

I auditioned for the second alto chair of the Glenn Miller Orchestra back in May. I have been taking auditions since I got to Maryland for military jobs and non-military jobs and nothing had panned out, so I just went for it.

Met up with them in Hagerstown, MD and auditioned during the sound check. It was pretty scary, b/c they basically just had me sit in with the band and even though I tried to look at every chart I could get my hands on the charts I read were ones I had never seen.

I did ok at the audition. The concert was great. They played great together. Told me that they would be in touch, but I felt pretty good about the audition. Organizer said they were impressed with my doubling skills.

Well Ed Walters called m for a gig at the Kennedy Center and the guy I sat next to was Walt Borys. Great player and gentleman. I had told him about this audition and he said he knew the leader Larry O'Brien really well. So he said he would call him and put in a personal recommendation for me.

Well after about a month and a half of waiting for them to get everything straightened out. Bart, the road manager, calls me during Big River when I checked my message he said that I had the 2nd alto chair when the current guy left!! I am so excited to have this opportunity. Can't believe I will be traveling across the country,Canada, and going to Japan to play my horn, then getting to play with such a great group, then getting paid really well to do so!!!

Gonna be fun!

Big River

Well, I got called to play "Big River" at Olney the whole month of July. It was great. Major props to Katie for recommending me. I owe her so much!

I got to work with a great pit. Aaron Broderick is a cool guy and talented pianist and director and was a blast. Pat Klink on guitar, bass, and drums was amazing, great guy and very versatile musician, I mean come on who can do that plus be an opera singer! Pretty cool

Annelisa on violin/fiddle, played the crap out of the book every night, and she's a classically trained violist! way Cool!~

The cast was amazing, great acting and singing, plus everyone was real cool and we hung out with them a lot. It was really cool.

I really enjoyed this show so much! Definitely was a great time!

Whew

Well it's been a long time since I have written in here. So much has happened.

I did actually graduate and soloed at the Comcast center in front of 20,000 people. That was wild.

Above are pictures from the DVD of me performing "Carnival of Venice" on 5 woodwind instruments. Very scary but very fun!

In the end I am glad that I went to UMD, have met so many great and talented people, and I got what I needed out of the program, which was how to make music and still make a living do it. It's fine an great to be devoted to a vision in your artform, but if you're homeless and starving, it's kind of hard to make that vision go anywhere.

I will make a seperate posting for each thing that has happened this summer.

Wow!

Saturday was one the best days I have had since I moved up to MD.

It was the annual Kellert- 'cue.

The day started by me getting up earlier than I wanted to and fixing my special baked beans, and transporting them and sweet tea to Katie K.

Then taught my students for the last time at DCYO. They gave me gift card to the grocery store, then I got flowers and a card yesterday at the concert! I'll post a picture lata

Got over to chez Kellert's and immediately began to pull pork with Emily N., who is pretty cool.

Got everything set up outside, weather was perfect, I grilled some chicken.

Cara came over and stayed until she had to go to work. I am so happy she came, hopin' to have lunch or dinner with her early this week, cuz hey' I am good guy and she deserves a good guy, but we'll see how that plays out, stay tuned.

After she left I had way to much sangria, but hey it's been a long semester/year and it felt good to relax and unwind, except when I was gettin' harassed by Emily, just kiddin' I probably deserved it :)

Yesterday, got to see GNE again. Sure hope I get to play with them in the future. Great concert. Katie totally just ripped up the clarinet. George sound ridiculous, and she sounded extra good on regular clarinet. I was like oh, that's how a clarinet is supposed to sound, not sounding like a wounded crow squakin' and sqeaukin' like when I play.

It was a great weekend, despite the lack of sleep on my part. Now time to shed, big performance on Thursday, got to clean house, the parents are comin' into town, and get ready to graduate and blow the popsicle stand (thanks Katie!) known as UMD. Definitely will miss seeing Dale and Ed Walters on a regular basis, but I am sure we'll stay in touch.

Time to great crackin' after a full nights rest!

Recital-check ,Orals-check

Well Monday night I played my master's recital.

I must say it ranks right up there in the best musical experiences I have ever had. I have had two of these recently. My recital and the Mingus concert

I felt so relaxed and I played the crap out of everything. There was a good turnout, and I am really proud Katie K, Dave, Janna, Dan Walshaw, and Brenner were there. They're some of my good friends and some fabulous musicians.

I am super happy Dan W. liked my rendition of Shapes and I am thankful for him allowing me to play it. I owe special thanks to Katie K for helping me with the Syrinx and Osbourne. Anders, Trevor, and Amy killed the jazz portion, so much fun!

I had so many people say how much they enjoyed my recital and how good it was. When that comes from professional musicians, that means a lot. Mr. Walters and Dale both said that they really were proud of me and that my recital went really well. That means a lot to me.

I'm glad to see the benefits of my hard work. This recital is something that no one can hold against me, because the proof is in the recording. Vadala hasn't even asked me how my recital went. Not to happy with him right now.. I'm through with him. Not gonna burn a bridge though.

My orals were yesterday and I nailed everything they asked me except one little question, but I didn't miss that entirely. They said I was very knowledgeable on my subject area and that I was very comfortable talking about the history and development of my instrument.

Playing a show with Charlene, Thoroughly Modern Millie, my book is mostly clarinet, which is good for me. It bent me over the past couple of days, but I returned the favor last night.

Things are still crazy, gig or reh. every night.

I did have a revalation last night. I was really stressed out and just tired in general.Well once I got to the gig and started playing, I really started having fun and relaxed. This just confirmed to me that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. I guess the good Lord just sent me a message that even though you are swamped with stuff, enjoy and be thankful for being able to make a living doing something that you really love!

Overwhelmed

I'm barely staying afloat these days.

My recital is Monday night, and I am really trying to make sure that I tear it apart.

It's a lot of music, and I've never played flute and clarinet in a recital before, other than jazz combo recitals, so that's pretty scary for me. I am trying to practice my tail off so that I am ready for my recital. PS Wind players need to get some Chop Savers chapstick, the stuff works, plus it smells good. I thought it would be a gimmick, but it's good stuff.

I'm probably not going to get to rehearse the jazz portion of my recital, but I'll be ok, we'll talk through the tunes and it will be cool.

Everything is coming to a boil right now.

My recital is next Monday, oral exam is Thursday, start playing a show in Baltimore next Tuesday, have to have my scholarly paper turned in by next Friday, finish assignments for jazz arranging, start learning Carnival of Venice on flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, and saxophone. Shed a little and rehearse for Brian Kaufman's recital, I am sure I am leaving 300 more things out.

On top of that figure out what I am gonna do next year. I really want to either go on the road with the Glenn Miller orchestra(if I win the gig) or freelance and teach in the area.

I will get a teaching job if those don't work out, but I want to keep studying and honing my craft.

If I am not nice to you, or seem short, it's b/c I am really stressed and sleep deprived right now.

The next couple of weeks are going to be crazy, I am just trying to stay afloat, I am not exercising, eating well, keeping my room clean or doing laundry, b/c I frankly don't have time.

Plus I am kind of mad that one of my close friends is blowing off some of my recital to go see a pop concert?! What the hell man? I am giving ONE RECITAL, and this is super important to me, and I told this person months in advance the date and time. I try and make all my friends' recitals and concerts that I can unless I have a gig.

I do want to thank Katie K. for helping me with my clarinet and flute stuff. She is going to turn me into a decent clarinet player one of these days. For the record you and D rock, for being there for me and helping me out!

Now to sleep, before starting all over again tomorrow. Pray for me surviving the next several weeks.

Jazz cabaret

Enjoy these clips from a gig with Dane Figeroa at Catholic University.

A Train
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4shYzjVnQ8s

Summertime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkvW6f1z-LE&feature=user

Busy!!!

Well the life of dan p is really busy right now.

Gigging is in full swing and school is wide open.

Recital is about a month away.

Combo concert is coming up soon, we're playing the whole thing from memory.

Just got done playing Wizard of Oz, the conductor really complimented me on my playing and my work ethic.

I really take pride in working hard and trying to produce results. I am glad people notice these things.

Life and music is about the journey. I don't understand why Chris V. doesn't get this. He only values people that are good when they come into school. I feel that he doesn't care about how much students grow and develop as musicians while at UMD.
Isn't that the point of attending school, and spending countless hours in the 'shed and rehearsing.
Just throwing it out there folks.

Bird and Miles

Sick, sick,sick,sick

Well I have been out of commission since late Saturday evening. I guess I got a stomach virus or something along those lines.

I haven't been that sick in a long long time. I basically stayed in bed or on the couch all Sunday and a large part of Monday. I was up sick all night Saturday.

I am not 100% yet, but I feel alot better than yesterday.

My roomate Dan was great, he brought me some gatorade, and some medicine. I really owe him.

Now it's time to try and catch up on everything that I let go for a couple of days.

It's Official!

Well, it's official, my brother is getting married in September.

It's crazy, I am becoming an old man really fast!

I am happy for him, he seems really happy.

(Joel and Monica on his birthday)


In other news: the Great Noise Ensemble concert was great. Everyone sounded really good.
School is going well,just really busy, not enough hours in the day to get everything done.
I can't wait to get that piece of paper in my hand, gonna miss studying with Dale, but I won't miss the drama and lack of communication/organization at the school of music.

Off to get some work done.

Whoa!

Just thought I would take a minute and do some writing before I go to school.

Man, things have gotten busy real quick. I think I am going to start having to turn students away. I don't have enough time to teach them all.

I am trying to practice a lot these days. So much to practice: classical saxophone,jazz saxophone,flute and clarinet.

If that's what it takes to keep me working, then I'll do it.

I was talking with Dale the other day and realized that one thing I really regret is that I have been able to have any teaching or instructional responsibilties at all here at UMD. I think that this is greatly overlooked in the performance area. I don't know any very many people that aren't going to teach along with perform that get advanced degrees in music, don't MM and DMA just set you up for teaching in university settings anyway?

I am glad for people like Dale Underwood, Ed Walters and Leigh Pilzer. I didn't know much about Leigh or Ed, and didn't know a lot about Dale until I got here, and I realized that these three are great assests to UMD. Dale Underwood needs a saxophone TA, though, that's BS that he doesn't have a TA. Dale has produced some really good students, and the saxophone studio deserves more recognition than it gest.

Great (Not really)

You know what is great?

When you get a faculty member to sign your recital form with the date on it, and then you show for rehearsal, and they say you have a gig on the date of your recital, and that you should change your recital date. AHH! I want to pull out my hair!

1. At CSPAC it's hard as crap to get a recital date, you almost have to sell them your soul.
2. I believe it's a $100 fee to get your date moved.
3. By now, there's probably nothing close to being available.

I just can't win at UMD, thank GOD only one more semester. After this, I don't think I'll ever want to set foot back anywhere as a student again after this experience.


To change the subject, the superbowl party was a good time. I made some good homemade chili, cooked some dawgs, and we had a good time.

Oh, and I just got the Zoom H4 for recording. It's ridiculously good. Love it!

Sent off my audition for BLAST!, so maybe they'll at least consider me for the next tour.

Off to 'shed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR9ixWP-P9I

Craziness

Just found out that my brother is going to ask a girl to marry him! Can't believe it. We're all growing up. Can't believe it, she's great and I honestly believe they really love each other, so I am really happy for him.

Congrats J!

Christmas pictures

Putting a few pictures on here from Christmas, mainly of hunting and hanging with the family.

It was amazing to get to go hunting, and then be fortunate enough to see deer, then even more fortunate to kill one deer, then even more fortunate to kill two. Now before you have PETA bustin' down my door and stuff, realize that down south hunting is a valued tradition. I used the deer for food. Thanked the good Lord for providing them to me and my family. Hunting allows me to clear my head and also to spend time with my brothers.

Enjoy.

Whew!

It's been a long time since I wrote something.

School is good, almost done. Life is good right now, busy but good. Got a lot to do between now and end of school: recital, audition, figuring out what I will be doing next year and getting that secured.

Made an audition tape for BLAST! a few days ago. The acting and free form movement is hilarious. I was so tired after making that tape.

Last semester was great, busy, but I feel like I made a lot of progress in many areas.

I met and became friends with a lot of new people

David and Katie Kellert-what can I say. They are two of the coolest, nicest, most fun, and talented people I have ever known. They have been so good to me, I owe them so much.

Janna Leigh-She is really cool, other than the fact she's from Tennessee. She the nicest car out of all my friends and is a ridiculous oboe/eng. horn player!

I am living with Dan Walshaw, it's a palace of Dan's. It has been really great so far. He's really cool. I knew it would work out well.

So much drama at school though. I just do my thing and leave, not getting into the middle of things.

People in the jazz department are alwasy vibing each other out. I HATE THAT! Why can't everyone just have fun, work hard, play together, and not act like their seven years old! I don't go up to people and say, I don't like the color shirt you're wearing, so I am not going to enjoy playing with you or ever play tunes with you.

Like one person complaining that they don't get to do stuff the want to do through their TA, and that the person that gave the TA is not being fair to them. I wanted to yell at him and say:
Me: Do you have a TA?
Him: Yes?
Me: Quit complaining and trying to bite the hand that feeds you. Take your money, complete your assigned tasks, end of story.

Alright, I said what I want to say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz7LvCS1oXM

aturday, September 08, 2007

Busy Time flies when you are busy. School has started back, I decided to stay and finish, I was half way done, might as well finish. I am really just trying to focus on my studies. Come in practice, go to class/rehearsals and leave. I am definitely not wanting to get caught up in all the crap at school. I am playing a bunch. Learning bass clarinet and playing that in concert band. Bass cl. is super fun, I highly recommend it. Lessons with Chris V are good, he gives a lot of work. I think I am making good advances in my playing, which is what I wanted to do. My flute playing is getting better, slowly but surely. It is highly dissapointing however, to go to a school that values the outward appearance of the school more than what actually goes on inside the school and how the students are treated. Enough about the messed up ways of the UMD school of music, their ways will come back to bite them sooner or later. I am playing Dreamgirls(Musical) which is going well. It's a fun show. Anyway, I need to hit the 'shed.(Practice-for you non hip folks) GO DAWGS, BEAT THE GAMECOCKS! Once a Dawg, always a Dawg, how sweet it is!

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Website is up! www.danielpuckett.com Go to it, check it out, let me know what you think! Saturday, April 21, 2007 Decision/opinions wanted Current mood: caffinated So it's been a long time since I posted a blog. School and gigs have kept me super busy. I am about to have to make a super difficult life decision and would appreciate anyone's opinion/advice on this. Basically, if I don't get a full assistantship in the fall I can't stay and finish my degree at UMD. I really hate to leave, because I really like studying with Dale, and Gerry Kunkel is the man. Brad Linde has also helped out a lot and I owe him big time. But I was basically promised a scholarship or work study program, and was ultimately lied to my face about this. I turned down almost a full ride from South Carolina to study with Cliff Leaman and Bert Ligon, two individuals that I respect very much. I also turned down a decent scholarship offer at the University of Northern Colorado and Andrew Dahlke who is a fantastic player and teacher. UNC played at IAJE this year, and have a well respected jazz program. You can see why I am not happy with my financial situation here. I borrowed way more money this year than I wanted to and I am not going to do that next year. It would be one thing if I was slacking, not practicing, not doing well in my classes, but I am working hard. It may not be evident in my progress but I am. I feel like I have improved many areas in my playing, esp. jazz,doubling, and classical saxophone. I am starting to get a lot of students and gigs. I have gigs lined up all the way through August if I stay. I plan on taking doubling lessons with Ed Walters over the summer and jazz lessons with Paul Carr if I can stay here over the summer. That's gonna be jam up. If I can't get the money I am going to go back to GA and get a teaching job and teach for several (3 or 4) years until I pay off every penny that I owe and then go back to school. I am definitely going to get a master's degree. I am just afraid that I am not going to be able to keep up my playing, and I really love playing/teaching. It's my life! While there has been a lot of crap here at UMD, that I have had to wade through, I have learned a lot here, and feel I have improved, and I want to continue on that path. I am just gonna have to trust that God has a plan for me and will allow me to stay and finish the degree. I wouldn't even mind staying in the area and maybe getting established here. Who knows? Anyway, your advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated in this. Thanks PS If you don't own Barry Harris-Listen to Barry Harris, Stop what you are doing and go buy the album, it will change your life and your views on music. It has mine!

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Jazz vs. Classical Current mood: productive This week has been a little better. I have been busy. I am trying to practice more, but it's been tough. Dale wants me to play the Dahl Concerto which is tough as nails, but I am trying to work my way through it. I think though I am starting to realize that I am not enjoying classical saxophone like I used to. I am pretty sure that playing jazz makes me happy, and shouldn't you do what makes you happy? I kind of want to put away classical saxophone for a couple of years and just focus on jazz, and getting better at doubling. I would like to come back to classical at some point, but not right now. I think that I am just burnt out on classical saxophone. I have been listening to Dave Holland's Extended Play Live at Birdland, with Chris Potter, non stop. I can't get enough Chris Potter. Potter is a true master of the horn and a true improviser. He is definitely an original voice in jazz, and I love his ideas. High Wire is probably my favorite solo on the album. Put right now I am listening to Sinta play the Dahl, and it's pretty ridiculous. He has a great sound. Until next time, peace out. DP

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Yo Haven't written in this thing for a while. Everything is going well. I am staying busy. I am trying to practice as much as possible, but with work and school, it gets tough. I am going to try and take a Navy Band audition soon though. I have to play Coltrane 26-2 and Stella in all 12 keys. I also have to play some legit stuff but I am not too worried about that. I have been trying to get into the word of God more, but I haven't been doing a great job, so pray that I will get on track I have been really thinking about not coming back to school next year. I am realizing that I don't need a master's degree to play well, I need to practice! The degree means nothing if you can't play your horn well! If I can find some work that pays well and isn't time consuming so that I can practice I may take it. Also I don't want to be in debt like crazy when I finish my degree. I am not going to spend years upon years paying off student loans. So let me know what you think, should I finish the degree regardless, finish only if I get some money, or try and get a playing gig that will allow me to practice as much as possible? Oh, my folks are doing well. My dad got a sweet new job, and quit smoking! My brother got a new truck, and my folks sold our house! Peace

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Takin a break Hope everyone is doing well! I am just takin' a break from practicin' some flute, so I thought I would post a blog. School is going well. I am really enjoying school here. It's a lot better than UGA so far. I do miss my friends though. I am playing second tenor in the big band, which is fun. The band is real solid from top to bottom. I am playing principal saxophone in wind ensemble which I cool. I really worked hard on the audition music and had a good audition, and I enjoyed the first rehearsal, which was run by the assistant conductor of the President's Own Marine Band. I am playing in the top jazz combo. It's going to be fun. We are doing some challenging tunes, which is good. On the classical side I am doing the Creston Concerto, which I am going to do for the concerto competition at UMD and the National Symphony. I am transcribing Dexter Gordon's Cheesecake off of Go! If you don't own this album shame on you, go buy it today, I mean right now! I am trying to practice as much as possible. I want to keep getting better at my classical stuff, while blowing my jazz chops through the roof. Anyway, hope everyone has a good Thursday and Friday. Later. DP

Monday, August 28, 2006

The Story of My Life Current mood: irritated Latest e-mail on Marketing Assistantship: Daniel: Thank you for your interest. It was wonderful to meet you. Unfortunately, we have offered the position to another applicant. Can't I catch a break? I am seriously wondering if I made the right choice coming to school here? It seems as though nothing is going my way lately. I realized that I am taking out more money for one year of school than I did my whole undergrad career. Guess there's just one thing to do: Practice my butt off and show them who they are messin' with! If they won't give me money next year, I'll go elsewhere. I refuse to let them push me around on this. I am going to be successful, if not here then somewhere else. Anyway, had entrance tests today. Theory went ok, history was rough. I have to work from 3-5, then training from 6-8, then I need play some, because I have an audition tomorrow at 2:54. Anyway, take it easy folks.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Week in Review I thought I had posted a blog from last week, but it didn't make it. Oh well. Anyway, the week was pretty good. I did a good of practicing. I think my wind ensemble audition is going to be fine. I am going to audition for a wedding band that pays well. I have to play some Billy Joel solos and other pop solos, which shouldnt' be too hard to learn. I am and I am not looking forward to starting school. I would rather be taking more jazz classes, but what can you do? I guess I'll learn as much as I can here. I am looking forward to beginning big band and combos and wind ensemble. I think they are going to be fun. I think once I get some more money I am going to take another lesson with Paul Carr. He really has some good insight into playing and I am really looking forward to another lesson. I am missing the folks from Athens, love you guys. I miss hanging out with everybody, but you must grow up at some point. So Athenians, enjoy the time while it lasts, I know I sure did. Catch you guys later.

Previous blogs

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

1st post! Current mood: determined This is my first blog on myspace, so enjoy! I have officially moved to Maryland, for those of you that didn't know. My address is 3416 Tulane Dr. #11 Hyattsville, MD 20783 So send me some mail! My roomate is great. Couldn't of asked for a better roomate to share an apt with, other than the Oak Park guys! I have been busy practicing, and I started workin' in the Performing Arts Center on Monday. It's ok, I wish I was teachin' lessons,but you do you what you can. I had a lesson tonight with Paul Carr, a local jazz saxophonist. He is a freakin' beast of a player. He slapped me around and then showed me exactly what I needed to do in order to learn jazz. He has like 3 students in NYC at Julliard right now, so he knows what he's talking about. Now it's up to me to 'shed like crazy and put the good hours in on the horn. I want to be a smokin' player and I know that if I work hard and believe it then it will happen. Catch ya'll later, got to rest up, I have to work the Mrs. Nigeria paegant tomorrow. Peace

welcome

Hey everyone, this is my first post in this new blog. I have been really wanting to start one to have some where to chronicle things to happen in my life, both good and bad. So enjoy