Things have let up a bit (for now) so I've been able to push forward on Shelter.  The first track has been slow going, not only because I've been so busy, but also because it's a fully orchestrated piece.  My intent is to mix up the instrumentation a bit on the CD, but this particular piece- it's feeling like it'll be Track 1- is a straight up huge, anthemic thing, based on the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God".  Hopefully it's not too bombastic though; I may have to throttle it back some!

I'm currently working on orchestrating the ending, but I've actually not quite decided on how I specifically want to end it.  One thing I'm considering is bringing it down to a fermata and using that as the starting point of the second track in the CD, like movements in a suite.  Or I may just end it.  I'm fairly certain though it will end on a unison note and fermata.

The next piece I want to work on I think will be one of two different approaches.  The first approach is an acappella arrangement, the second is a trumpet solo.  I'll probably end up doing both of these on the CD, but I'm just deciding on which one to work up first.  A couple months ago I discovered an amazing female acappella group that goes by the name Fourmata.  I hope I can get them to let me feature them for one or two acappella pieces!  Currently the trumpet solo in my head sounds vaguely like a chilled out Mark Isham sort of arrangement: muted trumpet, keyboards, maybe some strings- that sort of thing.

We'll see....