A wonder of gratitude to the people who helped make my 2-weeks in Southern California a great adventure!

There is not enough room for all the pictures and pages could be written about each of the Artists and amazing people I was able to meet and collaborate with. Please see below for links to many of them.

Until the next concert,
Aaron

Here are some worth checking out in the photos:

Robert and Katherine Bender – Karob Studios

Buzz Gravelle – Cal Poly Pomona faculty and Fretless guitars

Peter Yates – Multi-media Artist, Guitarist, UCLA faculty

Adrienne Albert – Composer

Cellista – Musician & Performance Artist

Tom Flaherty – Composer, Pomona Faculty

Gisel Vincent – Artist

 

Some picture locations:

Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, La Jolla

Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad

Tacos on the side of the road, Santa Monica

Lofty Coffee, Encinitas

 

I’m very excited to be heading to Southern California for 12 days of concerts, classes, good food, and great friends. I will have CDs and publications with me 😊. I will be traveling quite a bit, so reach out if you’d like to meet for coffee or have questions about the concerts.

Aaron

Wednesday, Nov. 3 – Pomona College, Claremont – Originally scheduled for March 2020
Class – Time in contemporary music
Lecture ‘Being an Artist Entrepreneur in the 21st Century’

Saturday Nov. 5 – Pomona College, Concert 8pm (click for INFO)
Looking Bach, Listening Forward
Mabel Shaw Bridges Hall of Music

PROGRAM
sweet nuance (2022) by Larget-Caplan
Carnatic Preludes, After J.S. Bach* (2017-2018) by Vineet Shende
No. 1 – Mayamalagovla, in Tisra jaati, Rupaka taal (after BWV 846) – VIDEO
No. 10 – Dhenuka, in Chaturasra jaati, Matya taal (after BWV 853)Chromatic Fantasy*, BWV 903 by J.S. Bach
The Legend of Hagoromo (1992) by Keigo Fujii
Steps and Leaps* (2019) for Guitar + MAX/MSP by Tom Flaherty –VIDEO
Bacchanale* (1940) by John Cage (1912-1992) w/ Buzz Gravelle, Prepared Guitars
* Written for or arranged by Aaron Larget-Caplan

Mabel Shaw Bridges Hall of Music – MAP – HERE

Nov. 7 – Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, La Jolla, Concert 12pm (click for INFO)
MAP – HERE

PROGRAM
Tango en Skaï by Roland Dyens
sweet nuance by Larget-Caplan
God’s Time Is The Very Best Time*, BWV 106 by J.S. Bach
Prelude 1 in C Major, WTC I*, BWV 846 by J.S. Bach – VIDEO
Carnatic Preludes, After J.S. Bach* by Vineet Shende
No. 1 – Mayamalagovla, in Tisra jaati, Rupaka taal (after BWV 846)
moving still by Larget-Caplan
Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen, Arr. Toru Takemitsu
Summer Time by George Gerswhin, Arr. Toru Takemitsu – VIDEO
Panaderos Flamencos by Esteban Sanlucar
The Legend of Hagoromo by Keigo Fujii – VIDEO
* Arranged or written for by Aaron Larget-Caplan

Nov. 9 – UCLA, Masterclass and Arts Discussion with students of Peter Yates

Nov. 12 – Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad, Concert 7:30pm (click for INFO)

PROGRAM
Prelude 1 in C Major, WTC I*, BWV 846 by J.S. Bach
sweet nuance (2022) by Larget-Caplan
Carnatic Prelude, After J.S. Bach* (2017) by Vineet Shende
No. 1 – Mayamalagovla, in Tisra jaati, Rupaka taal (after BWV 846)
God’s Time is the Very Best Time*, BWV 106 by J.S. Bach
In A Landscape* by John Cage
Chromatic Fantasy*, BWV 903 by J.S. Bach
The Legend of Hagoromo (1992) by Keigo Fujii
* Written for or arranged by Aaron Larget-Caplan

Schulman Auditorium, MAP – HERE

After being asked what repertoire I was performing this fall, it became apparent that I needed to make a list. Some of these works are being repeated on multiple concerts, others presented by Now Musique series, many New Lullaby Project solos, and others are part of a tour in Southern California in November. I know there will be more, and I left off few encores and pieces I have’t quite committed to, but I’ll try to update. Many of the pieces are recorded or on youtube.

Did I forget anyone? If there is something you’d like to hear, leave a comment.

Repertoire Fall 2022

Roland Dyens – Tango en Skaï (1992)
Larget-Caplan – moving still (2021)
J.S. Bach – Prelude in C-major, WTC Bk 1 N. 1, BWV 846
Bach – A Small Prelude and Little Fugue BWV 926 & 961
Bach – God’s Time Is The Very Best Time, BWV 106
Tom Nazziola – Lull-a-by-the-sea (2021)
Dean Rosenthal – Sewing Piece (2021)
John Cage ­– In A Landscape* (1948)
Keigo Fujii – Legend of Hagoromo (1992)
John Johnstone – Blue Lullaby (2015)
Bach – Two small Preludes, BWV 924 & 930
Larget-Caplan – minding play (2022)
Ronald Pearl – Berceuse Inquiète (2021)
Brian Schober – Winter Lullaby (2021)
Scott Wheeler – Nachtlied (2009)
Lainie Fefferman – Carousel (2020)
Tom Flaherty – Steps & Leaps (2019)
Ian Wiese – Midnight Train (2021)
Gregory Biss – Lullaby (after Schumann) (2015)
Stefanie Lubkowski – Drifting (2018)
Dennis Bathory-Kitsz – Lullaby For Justin* (2022)
Larget-Caplan – TBA
Laurie Spiegel – Remembering (2020)
Anthony Green – Counting Backwards (2020)
Jim Dalton – World of Your Own (2012)
Michael Veloso – Little Dancer (2010)
Cutis Hughes – Lullibule (2020)
Francine Trester – Assortment!
Gershwin/Takemitsu – Summertime
Arlen/Takemitsu – Over the Rainbow
Larget-Caplan – sweet nuance (2022)
Bach – Chromatic Fantasy, BWV 903
Cage – Bacchanale (prepared guitar duo)
Vineet Shende – Carnatic Preludes, After J.S. Bach (2017, 2019)
Libby Larsen – Cajun Set (Quartet)
Thomas L. Read – Concert Champêtre (cello-guitar) (2013)
Antonio Celso Ribeiro – 3 Vintage Portraits (viola-guitar) (2018)
John Cage – Six Melodies (violin-guitar)
Ian Wiese – Seeketh Not His Own (2017)

*world premiere

GUITARIST PRESENTS “NIGHT SONGS AND DANCES,”
THE FIRST OF FIVE FAMILY-FRIENDLY CONCERTS IN DORCHESTER

BOSTON (Dorchester), MA―International guitarist and Dorchester resident Aaron Larget-Caplan is presenting the first of five family-friendly concerts in the Dorchester neighborhood of Upham’s Corner on Thursday, August 11th at 5:30 PM. These free musical events are hosted by Now Musique and take place at the Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library (500 Columbia Rd in Dorchester), with the exception of the second concert. A free 30 minute preview performance will be on Monday, August 8th at 11:15am as part of the Upham’s Corner Library Storytime. Now Musique is a project curated by Larget-Caplan that shares new and unknown music in settings outside of the traditional concert hall with a multitude of communities. This family-friendly series of concerts is funded by a 2022 grant from the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture. Each performance is 50-60 minutes in length and curated so audiences of all ages can enjoy and engage with the performer(s) and a number of  living composers who have written the contemporary pieces on the programs.

“Night Songs and Dances” is the first concert of the series and features Spanish dances, six works by Lynn Job, Stanley Hoffman, John McDonald, Frank Warren, Charles Turner―all written for Larget-Caplan’s critically acclaimed New Lullaby Project, and a few pieces written by Larget-Caplan for his latest album honey cadence.

The New Lullaby Project began in 2007 in an effort by Aaron Larget-Caplan to bridge the chasm between audiences and new music, and started with him asking “Who’s afraid of a lullaby?!” These solo guitar works explore the genre of the lullaby. They tell stories of hope, fear, peace, rebirth, and even Adam & Eve’s first lullaby. They are composed using a variety of musical languages including tonal, minimalist, 12-tone, and microtones. Many incorporate a number of extended techniques. As the New Lullaby Project has grown, Larget-Caplan has found that the 65+ participating composers have succeeded in creating intimate miniatures that are not only challenging and beautiful, but fascinate and truly engage audiences by what they hear and experience.

honey cadence is Aaron Larget-Caplan’s most recent recording project with  six new pieces by the guitarist and represents his first true foray into the world of composition beyond his work as a noted arranger. The EP was released by Tiger Turn in April 2022 and has since garnered over 400K streams worldwide over all the major platforms.

Audiences of all ages are encouraged to attend any or all of the five concerts. It should be noted that those who come to the “Night Songs and Dances” performance wearing their pajamas (PG rated) will receive a New Lullaby Project sticker. And yes, teddy bears are welcome.

The second of the Now Musique series is titled “Frets & Plectrums – Music of Bach and Beyond” and takes place on Saturday, August 20th at 7:00 PM. The notable Frederick Jodry will join Aaron Larget-Caplan to perform solos and duos for harpsichord and guitar by J.S. Bach, Luigi Boccherini, Domenico Scarlatti, and Larget-Caplan. It is important to note this concert will be presented at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (14 Cushing Ave) and is the only concert of the series not held at the Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library.

Questions on attending the concerts?

Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library, Georgia Titonis, Librarian:  (617) 265-0139

More Information on the concert series and Aaron Larget-Caplan can be found at:

Now Musique:                       NowMusique.com
Aaron Larget-Caplan:      ALCGuitar.com
New Lullaby Project:        NewLullabyProject.com

ALL FIVE NOW MUSIQUE CONCERTS:

CONCERT 1: “Night Songs and Dances”
Thursday, August 11 • 5:30pm • Concert • Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library
Music by Lynn Job, Stanley Hoffman, John McDonald, Frank Warren, Charles Turner, Larget-Caplan and Spanish Composers.

CONCERT 2: “Frets & Plectrums” with Frederick Jodry, harpsichord
Saturday, August 20 • 7:00 PM • Concert • St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (14 Cushing Ave)
Music by Bach, Boccherini, Scarlatti, and Larget-Caplan
Repeated 8/21 in Newport, RI & 8/28 in Provincetown, MA w/slight variation

CONCERT 3: “Lullings”
Thursday, September 15 • 5:30 PM • Concert • Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library
Music by Ronald Pearl, Tom Nazziola, Curtis Hughes, Brian Schober, Scott Wheeler, Dean Rosenthal, Larget-Caplan, and Bach.

CONCERT 4: “Electric Hush”
Thursday, October 13 • 5:30 PM • Concert • Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library
Music by Lainie Fefferman, Tom Flaherty, Ian Wiese, Gregory Biss, Stefanie Lubkowski, Dennis Bathory-Kitsz, Larget-Caplan.
* Includes two works for electronics and guitar!

CONCERT 5: “Catching Dreams”
Thursday, November 17 • 5:30pm • Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library
Music by Laurie Spiegel, Anthony Green, Jim Dalton, Michael Veloso, John Johnstone, Francine Trester, Larget-Caplan.

 # # #

 

From May 25-31, I was the first Community Music Artist in Residence at the Kirkland Art Center in Clinton, New York.

Part of my proposal included an early evening family concert featuring solos from the New Lullaby Project, pajamas optional.

It was a blast!

Kids danced, adults relaxed, composers enjoyed themselves, and people listened to the music of now, though a couple pieces dated back to 2008 and 2009. Program below!

I don’t get to these type of performances often, but they are always amazing.

37″ Video introducing the space: https://www.facebook.com/747045689/videos/375263664621671/

A series of New Lullaby Project concerts will take place this summer in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester. Stay tuned!

The residency also include an evening formal concert, which took place after the day concert. The concert featured multiple premieres including two by yours truly.

After the concerts and a a day of rest and walking in the Glenn at Hamilton College, I returned to my work space  to continue my arrangements of John Cage for guitar.

In the span of two days I arranged nine short works and one by Erik Satie. I listened to loads of music and practiced a bit each day.

Huge thank you to my host Nora and Mike Revenaugh who run Garret on the Green. The space I stayed in was lovely and super clean. They also hosted me for two dinners, one of which was homemade pasta and locally made chorizo, so needless to say, I was very happy! (Picture below)

A tour of Garret on the Green: https://www.facebook.com/747045689/videos/1733677133636475/

The Kirkland Art Center created a safe and beautiful space for me to work. This being their first music residency we had lots of discussions and came away with many ideas. I am grateful to director David Fitzgerald and Jessica Locke, the KAC board, Nora and Mike, Scott Wheeler for encouraging me to apply, and the many composers who have written for me or the New Lullaby Project.

This was a fantastic experience and I can’t wait to return!

On April 10, I had the pleasure of visiting Guitar Salon International in Santa Monica, California.

This was my third time recording videos for GSI.

I collaborated with  videographer Felix Salazar for a set of six videos on six different guitars.

Starting April 18, one video a week will be released on their YouTube Channel.

I performed my own composition sweet nuance, two pieces by John Cage, and three of my arrangements of J.S. Bach.

I will add the videos to this blog post as they are published.

Your comments, here or on Youtube, are greatly appreciated!

Scroll down for a playlist of my GSI Videos from the 3 visits.

And click to see a 2015 Player Spotlight they made of me.

Video 1: ‘sweet nuance’ by Aaron Larget-Caplan

Video 2: Prelude in D-minor, BWV 926 by J.S. Bach,  Arr. ALC

Video 3: Duo from Three Easy Pieces by John Cage, Arr. ALC

Video 4: Prelude in C-major, BWV 939  by J.S. Bach, Arr. ALC

Video 5: Infinite Cannon from Three Easy Pieces by John Cage, Arr. ALC

Video 6: Prelude in A-minor, BWV 999/872 by J.S. Bach, Arr. ALC

Video Playlist of 3 visits to GSI, 2015, 2017, 2022 (10 videos):

My March 30-April 11 Tour in California came to 25 musical events in 13 days and 1200+ miles traveled!

Huge thank you to all of my hosts for either patiently waiting out Covid or bringing me in at the last minute.

To all of the students: your questions inspire me to be better and better!

Thank you,
Aaron

I’m super excited to be getting back on the road for the first 2020.

3/30 – Class & Masterclass, SF State University, San Francisco
4/1 – Concert, Museum of Northern California Art, Chico
4/2 – Concert, South Bay Guitar Society, San Jose
4/3 – Masterclass, South Bay Guitar Society, San Jose
4/3 – Concert, Center for New Music, San Francisco
4/5-7 – Artist Residency with two concerts, CSU Bakersfield
4/8 – Classes, Cal Poly Pomona University, Pomona
4/10 – Video Shoot, Guitar Salon International (GSI)
4/11 – Guest Artist Performance for the Encinitas Guitar Orchestra
* individual information can be found at the links above or on my calendar: alcguitar.com/calendar

Programs*:
A mix of new Bach keyboard arrangements, popular songs by Gershwin and Arlen, solos by John Cage and from the New Lullaby Project by Antonio Celso Ribeiro, Laurie Spiegel, Ian Wiese, Brian Schober, Ken Ueno, Antony R. Green, and Stepan Rak, the Legend of Hagoromo by Keigo Fujii, new works for guitar+electronics by Tom Flaherty, Lainie Fefferman, and Lou Bunk, and my own original compositions from ‘honey cadence’. Lots and lots of music!

Concerts are still being announced so check back in for more!

*Concert programs vary by venue.

In the early-2000’s, I noticed that when I traveled by plane I would land and be exhausted for at least 24hrs. I figured it was just being on the plane, but after a few trips and speaking with fellow musicians, I came to realize it was the noise of flying from the aircraft that caused such issues. For the last 10 years of travel, I have made sure to always have ear plugs or noise canceling headphones with me, and the changes were immediate: no headaches or nausea, and I could go straight to a concert. Life was good!

That said, I also found that skin inside my ears to be very sensitive, and it limited the amount of time I could wear earplugs. For the last 3 years I have used:

https://amzn.to/3dFGNjC

I am also looking into a pair of custom earplugs. I’ll let you know how that goes.

 

Sometimes the universe throws a curve ball that upends our well organized short and longterm plans. In the case of Covid 19, I have a total of 18 events (concerts, classes, radio) on the chopping block for a 3-week period and seven of them have already been canceled/postponed. This has serious immediate financial repercussions for me and my family of over $5K lost, and substantially more if it goes into April.
Since Artists rarely speak about finances amongst each other, I thought I would give a few words of advice regarding credit cards and how one can navigate a precarious situation. Remember: In the US we are judged on our teeth and credit rating.

via GIPHY

I should state I am a touring classical musician (solo and chamber) who teaches at a university (adjunct) and privately, have multiple recordings and arrangements available, lecture on Creating Commissioning Projects and Being an Artist Entrepreneur, AND lost a house and studio due to a major fire. This is not my first rodeo fugue.

CREDIT CARDS

1 – Call your credit card company(s) and ask if they are offering any kind of relief for those out of work due to Covid 19. If they are unsure then speak with someone who knows; they work for you. Depending on the company and card level, they may offer:
– No interest or late payments
– Wave late fees and interest at a later time
– Small business loans
– Horrible hold music (promise!)

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• American Express is actually a wonderful card (no spending limit) and is flexible in making things works during hardship, especially if you are a long time card member. I don’t like large corporations, but if you have to have one, I would go with AMEX. The call took 8min.
• Chase did not have Massachusetts listed as State of Emergency as of today even though our governor stated such yesterday!! I spent 30min on the phone with an advisor and they did agree to wave late fees and interest, but I would have to follow up after the fact. Also I should check in again to see if things have changed.
• I have not yet called BOA…

2 – Make your minimum payments when possible.
Unless they have marked your account specifically, it is always a good idea. Get the name of the customer service person at ALL times.

Balance Transfers
American Express Everyday Card is a no yearly fee card that offers free balance transfers from non-AMEX cards. Chase Slate card as well, and Bank of America also has one. As most credit cards charge a 3-4% fee automatically on all transfers I highly recommend finding a card(s) that works. You WILL still need to pay the balance amounts, but hopefully this shit-show will have passed, we’ll have a new set of leaders, and our lottery numbers will come in. Link for Best No-Fee Cards:

Best No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Cards of 2020

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SAVINGS ACCOUNT – OR CASH
YOU STILL OWE THE MONEY!

If you are able to get some relief from immediate payments and if you are able to move the money out of your checking account. Put it into a savings account and try not to touch it. If you are of a certain type it may be best to withdraw the money to have cash on-hand.
In either case, DON’T use it the money unless it is a major emergency.
YOU STILL OWE THE MONEY!
Remember: Nothing is free in the US unless you are famous or rich.

via GIPHY

Read the small print. If you have been or are about to be hit with a large jump in interest transfer the balance ASAP. It usually takes 2 weeks, so act even if you have to pay a 3-4% fee. Compounding interest and late fees can destroy a career, home and family. Eating Chocolate and laying in a fetal position may be nice, but the balances won’t go away.
Do not have guilt in any of this. It is just a game and learning how to juggle is one more skill freelance musicians should learn.
After my fire I went from 3 credit cards to 13 in just over 3-months. It cost money and I made mistakes, but I learned and survived. So can you!

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Other Debt Options

Home Equity Line – Citizens Bank offers a $50K equity line for $50 a year with pretty much a no questions application. Other banks too!
Musicians Foundation – Apply for $500-$3000 to assist with medical, utilities, and vendor bills. Will NOT cover credit card bills.
Patreon – Create art and ask supports to subscribe for a fee. (See my SITE: https://www.patreon.com/alcmusic!!)
Local assistance – The Record Co. is offering small grants for those who lost gigs. The City of Boston is offering grants of up to $1000 for artists of all types who lost income.
Support Local Artists – Be a part of the solution! If you are able donate to a Patreon, buy an album (physical with autograph is best), promote another. (Check out my store: https://alcguitar.com/store.php)