Interview with Composer Robert Collister – Part 2

Soli Deo Gloria:
An Interview with Composer Robert Collister
Part 2

In Part 1, Watchfire Music Composer Robert Collister shared with us his early influences that led him to writing for the musical theatre.  He has to date written 4 musicals and continues to be prolific in several genres of music. On writing music, Robert says, “I don’t like to take credit for what I write since I feel that I am just a vehicle from which music passes through. Bach would write on many of his compositions, ‘Soli Deo Gloria,’ — ‘To God Alone the Glory.’ I take the same position.”

Read Part 1 of the Collister Interview

In Part 2, Robert shares more about his process, inspiration and talks about his sacred and inspirational compositions.  Let’s continue the conversation:

Interview with Musical Duo Pressman & Ponzek

Pressman & Ponzek:
A Natural Collaboration!

Pressman & Ponzek are a musical duo consisting of pianist, vocalist, composer and producer Lisa Pressman and guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, composer, arranger and producer Tim Ponzek.  Combining their many musical skills and talents, Lisa and Tim have worked together for many years and have created their own unique musical signature style.

Together in their latest recording “Tomorrow the World,” they draw upon their musical kinship and their extensive studies of the Latin, Jazz and Classical repertoire. Lisa’s crystalline piano and pure vocals combine with Tim’s romantic classical guitar to create a delightful, relaxing and even ethereal listening experience on “Tomorrow The World.”  The energy of their dynamic musical interplay can be experienced as well as in Lisa and Tim’s previous release “if the sky was home”.

In addition to their recordings, Lisa and Tim have made their music available in sheet music form for other performers to experience and share:  piano/vocal scores, piano scores, guitar charts and now lead sheets.

Lisa and Tim live in one of my favorite spots on the planet – the desert of Arizona.  In listening to their music,  I feel like their special collaboration of Inspirational music is influenced at least a little by the beauty of the desert — its rhythms, melodies and harmonies played out in sweeping landscapes, plant and animal life.  It turns out that other parts of nature also play a deeply creative role in inspiring their shimmering music.

Find out how this dynamic duo works together and what makes their collaboration so natural.

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Interview with Carolyn Kardinal – Part 2

She Writes Soulful Songs
with Words of Grace
An Interview with
Composer Carolyn Kardinal
Part 2

Read Part 1 of  Carolyn Kardinal’s interview

In Part 1, Carolyn Kardinal shared with us some of her process in writing both original Inspirational lyrics and music for her songs.  She also related how her experiences as a singer and a teacher of children and of voice students have deeply influenced and enriched her work as a composer and lyricist.  So let’s continue with the conversation…

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JW: What inspires you?

CK:  One spring morning I walked outside to smell the freshness after a downpour and at that moment heard a meadowlark sing the most beautiful melody – actually I recognized the motive as something Alexander Dumas had used as a primary melody in his “Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” At first I laughed at the absurdity, but as I have thought about that experience I realize many composers have been sensitive to nature’s sounds and have incorporated them into their own works. So I became a better listener.

Interview with Composer Carolyn Kardinal – Part 1

She Writes Soulful Songs
with Words of Grace
An Interview with
Composer Carolyn Kardinal
Part 1

Read Part 2 of Carolyn’s Interview

Watchfire Music Composer Carolyn Kardinal is a prolific writer of sacred songs that have been sung widely in churches throughout the United States and abroad.  Carolyn is not only a composer, but she is also a truly gifted lyricist.  Her songs possess memorable, “sticky” melodies — they leave you humming the tune long after the song is over — and  Carolyn’s lyrics contain ideas and images that take you on journeys of the soul, bringing healing inspiration.

I have enjoyed my many conversations with Carolyn over the last year since she first brought her sheet music catalogue to Watchfire Music.  Additionally, I have loved the experience of performing Carolyn’s music.  The response to her particular songwriting talent is always immediate and filled with testaments of healing and gratitude.  Enjoy reading on as Carolyn shares with us her wisdom and experience as a creative artist in Inspirational music.

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JW:  What is your earliest impression or memory of music?

CK:  I grew up in Seattle, but both my parents’ families were in Southern California where we spent our holidays. I remember sitting in the back seat of the old Ford, passing those long boring miles by singing.  And on those cold, drizzly, pre-TV, winter nights in Seattle, I recall everyone sitting around listening to classical records.  I’d go dancing around the living room on the fast orchestral pieces, or during those beautiful soprano arias, I would sit staring into the coals of the fireplace.