Hello everyone!!! I last wrote to you in November and it is a long time in coming for this newsletter. I hope you all had good holidays, a great New Year, and in a few days Chinese New Year too. During the time from November until now, I have taken trips to spend time with family and friends, composing, performed once and preparing for what is to come. And what is to come is right around the corner for me literally. So let me get to the details. On February 25th, I will be part of a group of composers that will be meeting with the JACK Quartet. I will have a master's class with them as they discuss my work with me and I will be attending the string workshop they are hosting. I have known about this, in part, since November, but I had no details at all. This is the first of many boosts to my composing career, and I thank all of you for being there along the way to support me. If you want more information on this, I shall provide it as I have it. If you do not know the JACK Quartet, I am providing a link: http://jackquartet.com/ I posted two complete movements of a work that is in progress at this time. I am working on the final movement of this new piano piece. Le Sonate Claire is based on a telling of the fondness and interest I developed in someone I met recently. It tells of the connection, the frivolity, the usual emotions that run with the beginning of some great infatuation that could lead to life long adventures. The second movement is written in Byzantine scales, or a better to way to give you an accurate picture is that the music has Arabian sounds. I allowed the music to express an oud like style as well as a doumbek rhythm being played out as well on piano. This describes the main section of the piece. It tells of a tale of heartbreak, confusion, and the future being bright as well. In the sense of making a double entendre, the music provides a sense of adventure. I ventured into three worlds. The first was my own and I found some renewal, some new insights. Second, was the journey into the possibility with this person. And the third was that of someone who has been a long abiding friend that has become closer. So, please have a listen to those two pieces of music and enjoy. Another opportunity was told to me on Wednesday February 3. My piano teacher told me of a concert that he was performing in and I could see as he mentioned it, there was something more coming after the pause. What he told me astonished me. He wanted to put one of my pieces on his concert that is occurring this weekend, yet he has not practiced in a week and it would be a difficult task to just throw it in there. I am happy at the fact he was willing to be an advocate for me in the music world, this time more publicly. Also, there is a consideration by the LIU Post Brass Ensemble, with whom I performed last semester upon my entry here, tor read (or perform in private audience with comments and performance suggestions) Canon for Quintet, the brass quartet arrangement. If there will be a performance, I will inform you and give you information on that event. So, I have a lot to prepare for as well as my classes. I am editing one of my works because of a minor technical issues that needs to be fixed, and I am living and loving the journey. Just a quick shout out to my newsletter subscribers, I thank you for staying out there and supporting my work through listening. As I look across all of my social media sites that promote my music, I never had the expectation that reaching so many people would be possible. Music is fueled mainly by the demand of listeners (the musicians who know good music and that can appreciate its forms, yes that is you!). I want to thank you for being my advocates to the world concerning my music. Well, I shall keep in touch and you can do the same. I love hearing from all of you. Until next time, Tayren N. Ben-Abraham Please check out the following sites for more music: https://www.reverbnation.com/tayrennicolebenabraham?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav http://soundcloud.com/tayren-b