The very busy fall & winter

I can’t believe how busy I’ve been the last few months. My calendar was almost completely empty all spring and most of the summer. I spent most of my time lazing by the pool at the Bay Club. By the end of August, the lazy days were over and I was working, working, working.

In September, my husband and I went to the Czech Republic to record my piece The Mitten with the Moravian Philharmonic. I’ve been working with PARMA engineers on the edits and Marie Olofsdotter on the art.  No sneak previews of the art yet. It is absolutely adorable, though, and very representative of Marie’s work, which you can see on my navigation buttons. I wrote about the MFO session on another blog.

October was dance month. I was fortunate to have my piece Passage to Fatehpur Sikri on the sjDANCEco’s concert at the California Theater. The music will be published soon, I will post the links when it’s ready. Here’s a picture of me with our excellent tabla player Kashyap Parab.

Kashyap & Mona at the California Theatre

November my husband and I usually go on vacation in Mazatlan. This year, we had a working vacation; Tom and I needed two sets of lyrics for our jazz suite that’s being recorded in Cuba. One of the pieces in the suite is called “Chocolate Caliente!” (Hot Chocolate!) Here’s our favorite lyricist drinking a cup I bought him for encouragement.

Chocolate Caliente!

I also started a new choral commission, Sweet Peas, from Singers Marin.

December was choral month. My new work, A Christmas Prayer, was premiered at Prince of Peace Church and Choral Cosmo’s concert. It turned out great! You can listen to it right here.

January is choral and jazz month! I finished Sweet Peas. Hurray for me! That’s the fastest writing I’ve ever done, no fooling.

The jazz suite will be recorded by the 21st and released on Ansonica Records.

Then, I’m taking some time off.