Tag Archives: Patreon

Miss my blog?

I miss it, too! Just when I felt like I was getting in a groove, the world got turned on its head…

Being an artist, graduate student, and “gig worker,” the coronavirus has been devastating financially, educationally, creatively, and more. I talked about these hardships in more detail in my April Newsletter.

While it’s been hard, I’ve been rebuilding. I’m getting in a healthy routine and working on some exciting projects I will be sharing very soon! I also have some new blog content in the works that I think you’re going to like.

In the meantime, here are some ways you can help me keep writing and playing music.

Join me on Patreon. For a subscription as low as $1/month, you can access exclusive content, early access to my projects, free sheet music, and more!
Find Sam Spear Music on Patreon.

Like me on Facebook. And be sure to like and comment on my posts!
Find Sam Spear Music on Facebook.

Follow me on Instagram. I tend to get a bit more personal on Instagram, so you can follow me for great music and adorable photos of goslings by a pond.
Follow @sam_spear_music on Instagram.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel. I recently bought new recording gear, so I’m putting up new and better videos much more often. Subscribe and give my videos a “thumbs up,” or even a nice comment if you feel inclined!
Subscribe to Sam Spear Music on YouTube.

Follow me on Twitter. To be 100% honest, Twitter is the social media platform I least understand. So give me a follow and watch my epic blunders – and be among the first to hear about what I’m up to!
Follow @sam_spear_music on Twitter.

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter. I promise, I actually only send one email each month! No spam, only news about the music I’m creating and the blog posts I’m writing.
Subscribe to Sam Spear Music’s E-Newsletter.

Buy sheet music. If you’re a musician looking for some new pieces to learn, I have loads of sheet music for sale on SheetMusicPlus and Noteflight Marketplace. You can also commission me to write a new composition or arrangement just for you!
Browse sheet music selection.

Thank you so much for your continued support. I will have some fun, thought-provoking, highly nerdy blog posts for you soon!

May 2020 Newsletter

[Subscribe to see this in your inbox next month!]

Spring greetings!

I hope you are all doing well and getting some sunshine like we are here in Boston. I have enjoyed hiking during this time of social distancing. The header image for the newsletter is from my hike yesterday. It was gorgeous!

I am happy to report that I am feeling completely recovered from my mysterious illness. It has been amazing to have back my energy so I can practice, compose, hike, and finish the spring semester strong.

Today was my last day of classes for the school year. In some ways, it feels like school ended a long time ago. I am sad for all my graduating friends who are not getting the celebrations they deserve. I am sad for all of us who are uncertain they will be able to return to school in the fall. I am sad for all the administrators facing impossible decisions. I am sad for all the faculty and staff whose livelihoods are at stake. I have been reading a lot of articles about how the pandemic has and will continue to impact higher education in the US. Here’s an interesting one I read this morning from the New York Times.

I am excited to share that I set up a little “home studio” and have been making some short, fun videos to get comfortable with the setup. Now that I’m done with the spring, I am looking forward to making more videos and collaborating more with my friends. Stay tuned for more!

Today I released a transcription of John Coltrane’s solo on “Big Nick.” And here’s a video of me playing the first two choruses. I also shared my analysis of the solo with my followers on Patreon. For as little as $1/month you can gain access to exclusive content, early releases, free sheet music, and more!

I hope you all find ways to stay healthy and positive during this unusual time. As always, thank you for your support and encouragement.

With gratitude,
Sam

Featured Sounds

My parody of the Disney song “A Whole New World.” This arrangement is available on SheetMusicPlus: https://bit.ly/3aXuSK0.

Sheet Music For Sale

Original compositions and arrangements for a variety of ensembles available on Noteflight Marketplace and Sheet Music Plus!

Latest From the Blog


More coming soon, sneak peek for the next post available on Patreon 

  • April 2020 Newsletter – Last month’s news. [Read More] 
    (All of my newsletters are archived here.)
     
  • Encountering Gunther: Celebrating MBS – It was an honor to perform a concert with the New England Conservatory Jazz Orchestra celebrating the life and legacy of Gunther Schuller. … [Read More]
     
  • Encountering Gunther: My First Encounter With His Music – As part of New England Conservatory’s Jazz50 Celebration, the NEC Philharmonia and NEC Jazz Orchestra combined forces to produce the third performance of Gunther’s tour-de-force Encounters (2003)…. [Read More]
Patreon
Noteflight
SheetMusicPlus

April 2020 Newsletter

[Subscribe to see this in your inbox next month!]

Hi friends,

I hope this email finds you well during these uncertain times. 

This time has given me an opportunity to reflect on my life – how things are going and how I would like them to go. I loved my life before the pandemic. New England Conservatory became my happy place; I felt whole when I was surrounded by my peers and professors in our hallowed, historic school. I enjoyed working my four jobs – library aid, Jazz Orchestra librarian, Symphony Hall Usher, and teaching fellow with the Boston Public Schools. It was a lot happening at once and sometimes felt like too much for one person to handle. But I managed, until I couldn’t anymore.

Almost two months ago, I first came down with a cold. It improved, but then I had a fever. Once that improved, I had another fever. That improved and now I am beginning to feel my health decline once again. Being sick is never fun, but this is an especially difficult time. What was a minor cold became a massive infection because I was given insufficient medical advice over the phone and was discouraged from scheduling an in-person appointment until the symptoms became more severe. I cannot even begin to imagine how many people worldwide are facing similar challenges accessing the care they need during this time.

I am using this moment to think about how I want to move toward a healthier, more sustainable life with my music leading the way. How can I use my music to bring healing to myself and togetherness to my community when we are all forced to stay apart?

I have lots of ideas for new videos, online collaborations, expanding my Encountering Gunther blog series, and more. Keep an eye out on Facebook and Instagram for these things!

I am also excited to share that I have launched my Patreon page! For a monthly subscription, I will share exclusive behind-the-scenes videos, music tips, early releases, discounted sheet music, and more. Let me know what kinds of rewards would interest you.

Thank you for your continued support during this uncertain time for us all. I hope we can connect again soon in the physical world, but for now, I look forward to hearing from you on the interweb. 

Hugs from 6 feet away,
Sam

Upcoming Performances

Stay tuned for some online collaborations!

Featured Sounds

Performing MBS with the New England Conservatory Jazz Orchestra and special guest George Schuller. Read more about this performance here.

New Scores For Sale

Original compositions and arrangements for a variety of ensembles available on Noteflight Marketplace  and Sheet Music Plus!

Latest From the Blog

Encountering Gunther: Celebrating MBS – It was an honor to perform a concert with the New England Conservatory Jazz Orchestra celebrating the life and legacy of Gunther Schuller. … [Read More]

Encountering Gunther: My First Encounter With His Music – As part of New England Conservatory’s Jazz50 Celebration, the NEC Philharmonia and NEC Jazz Orchestra combined forces to produce the third performance of Gunther’s tour-de-force Encounters (2003)…. [Read More]

February 2020 Newsletter – What I was up to a couple months ago …  [Read More]