Tom Munsell
Welcome to my music portfolio! Here you'll find my compositions for orchestra, wind ensemble, concert band, chamber music (string quartet, brass quartet, string duo), voice, and piano. The works that have a link to the J.W. Pepper website are available for purchase there. If not, they will be available soon.
MUSIC PORTFOLIO
Explore my compositions from the "My Music' link at the top of the page.
My musical journey started by composing music for piano. As I gained experience, I added works for small chamber ensembles. Adding in strings, I began to write for orchestra. Next came Wind Ensemble & Concert Band. Having sung with a community Master Chorale, I loved the medium and added music for choir.
ABOUT ME
I have been composing since 1996. But it is only in the last 5 years that I published anything. I had shared my music with family and friends, but not the public.
I had a major breakthrough in 2019. I have started hundreds of new pieces, only to stop and say I don't like this and abandon it. I was listening to a YouTube video about an author talking about writing. He said that getting something written on a blank page is very difficult, but editing something is very easy. His advice was don't worry about the first draft, just write whatever comes into your mind. Then keep on going until it is done. Then go back and edit until you get it how you want it. And keep on doing this until you are satisfied.
How do I start a new piece, you may ask? I create an image in my mind of what the piece is about. I close my eyes and I imagine a concert hall with all the lights turn off. Then I imagine musicians coming on stage and taking their places. The number and type of musicians creates the form of the piece, mostly for me, I imaging a full symphonic orchestra. The conductor come on stage and starts the piece. I hear the entire ensemble playing my music.
I am a musician, so for me, a singable melody is the primary requirement. I sing it in my mind, I go back and forth trying something, changing it, comparing it to what came before and making a decision to keep the change or revert back to the original. When I am happy with that phrase, I write it down, and go on the next one. I continue this until the whole piece is written down. I do not make any judgements yet, no corrections. Then I put it away and I start or continue with something else.
As a composer my time is broken down into several categories. The three mains ones are composing, getting compositions ready for publication, and planning future pieces. I also created and maintain this website.
I live very near to Palm Springs, I enjoy attending concerts and musicals, and plays in the area. The spark for a new work can come from any inspiration. I am always on the lookout for that new idea.
