Michael will be recording his 2nd album on the marimba. This time, it's Christmastime with The Nutcracker Suite and he needs your help!
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE SUITE
Like many others, the Nutcracker Suite is the soundtrack to my Christmas. Every year since I started playing the marimba, I have wanted to do the suite on this beautiful instrument. For the last 16 years, I have been completely taken with this instrument. I started as a jazz drummer and then the marimba came along and swept me off my feet. During this time, I have written or arranged 6 albums worth of solo marimba music but, due to the cost, have only been able to record one album of my own compositions, "Melodies for Wooden Children".
Every year around Christmas, I listen to The Nutcracker Suite in awe. These pieces of music possess some kind of magic with the ability to transport someone back to the enchantment of childhood. When I was young, we would sit around a lit Christmas tree at night with a cup of hot egg nog listening to Tchaikovsky's brilliant melodies.
I have been working on an arrangement for 6 years now, and the missing ingredient in the recipe was the marimba! I own a beautiful Musser 4 1/3 octave octave instrument that has served me well. However, when I tried to record Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy a couple years ago, it really lacked a full sound that the lower octave provides... It was missing the right marimba.
In the last year I have become friends with Peter Bush of Rosebush Marimbas and I knew the first time I played on his beautiful 5 octave marimba, that this would be perfect for the Nutcracker. These instruments are very expensive to own, ranging from $10,000 to $12,000 dollars. However, Peter has been gracious enough to rent me one of his instruments in order to play the music with the full range of an orchestra.
So, the basic costs of the album are:
Marimba rentals-Recording Fees-Mixing and Mastering-Cd Duplication-Artwork
Your help in the making of this project is invaluable. With your support, this project could finally come to life!
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
The main obstacle to complete this project is the funding, but the amount of time required to record all of these tracks takes a close second. Knowing that when planning most projects, people (myself included) drastically underestimate the amount of time it will take to finish, I have allotted twice as much time as I think will be needed to finish this project.
I am well aware that other challenges will come up during the course of this project, however, and know that my undying passion for this project will give me the strength to overcome anything that comes in the way of finishing!!
FAQ
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Yes! After many requests, I have decided to include the arrangement of the Nutcracker with the $100 pledge and above! I am trying to get ahold of Kickstarter to see if they will let me add the arrangement to these pledge levels. If they can't change it, let me know if you are interested in the arrangement and I will make it available to you! Thanks
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Yes!! I didn't think I would have an oversea demand, but recently I have had many requests. I will try to change the shipping options to include international postage costs. It will probably be a $10-12 charge. Thanks!
313
Backers
$10,301
pledged of $5,000 goal
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Funding period
Dec 10, 2012 -
Jan 9, 2013
(30 days)
- First created · 3 backed
- Michael Smith 369 friends
- Website: michaelcharlessmith.com
Pledge $10 or more
12 backers
You will receive a link to download three tracks from the album!
Estimated delivery: Oct 2013Pledge $20 or more
129 backers
You will receive a pre-release digital download of the full album!
Estimated delivery: Nov 2013Pledge $30 or more
127 backers
You will receive a physical copy of the cd, the pre-release digital download!
Estimated delivery: Nov 2013Ships within the US onlyPledge $40 or more
10 backers
You will receive a physical copy of the cd, the pre-release digital download! ($10 extra shipping for backers outside the US)
Estimated delivery: Nov 2013Pledge $100 or more
20 backers
Your name will be praised in the "Special Thanks To:" in the album credits ,a signed physical copy of the cd, the digital album download, and a poster of the album art!
Estimated delivery: Nov 2013Ships within the US onlyPledge $110 or more
0 backers
Your name will be praised in the "Special Thanks To:" in the album credits ,a signed physical copy of the cd, the digital album download, my arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite for marimba quartet, and a poster of the album art! ($10 extra shipping for backers outside the US)
Estimated delivery: Nov 2013Pledge $250 or more
4 backers
I will arrange and record your favorite Christmas tune on marimba, praise your name in the "Special Thanks To:" section in the album credits, three signed physical copy's of the cd, the digital album download, and a poster of the album art!
Estimated delivery: Nov 2013Ships within the US onlyPledge $260 or more
1 backer
I will arrange and record your favorite Christmas tune on marimba, praise your name in the "Special Thanks To:" section in the album credits, three signed physical copy's of the cd, the digital album download, my arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite for marimba quartet, and a poster of the album art! ($10 extra shipping for backers outside the US)
Estimated delivery: Nov 2013Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
You will receive a private one hour solo marimba concert wherever you choose (within Oregon or Washington), two Christmas songs of your choice plus three signed copies of the cd, the digital album download, and a poster of the album art!
Estimated delivery: Nov 2013Ships within the US onlyPledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
You will receive a handmade Thank you card, a two hour private concert, a recording of any three Christmas tunes of your choosing, a producer title in the album credits, 5 signed physical copies of the cd, the digital album download, and a poster of the album art!
Estimated delivery: Nov 2013Ships within the US only
