Ben O’Brien Smith

Ah yes, the first post of 2010! As I write this, I’m watching snow fall outside my window and listening to my new copy of the Gordon Stone album Even with the Odds. I picked up a copy last night at a his Burlington First Night performance at the First United Methodist Church. The performance was one of many events taking place yesterday in downtown Burlington as part of the First Night festivities. I also managed to catch the Vermont Youth Orchestra (which featured a fantastic performance of the Finale from the Schwantner Concerto for Percussion with Nick Bonaccio and the premiere of a really impressive new piece by Tim Woos, another member of the orchestra) and the Jazz-Fusion band Kilimanjaro at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. Though the mix was pretty horrendous for Kilimanjaro and the feedback was overwhelming at several points, it was nice to get to see them again. Here are a few photos from the VYO and Gordon Stone Band performances:

VYO Soloist Nick Bonaccio

VYO Percussion Section

Gordon Stone

Jon McCartan of the Gordon Stone Band

I’m kicking off this new year with some spiffy new business cards. I decided to go with the folks over at Moo.com. Though their cards are pricier than other places, I was able to easily upload my own images and design for the front and back of the cards. I did a free sample pack of 10 cards just to see how they came out. Having been satisfied with the samples, I ordered a full set. I have 10 different photos for the cards, all relating to music in one way or another. I’m quite happy with them!

Business Cards from Moo.com

Along with being the first day of the new year and decade, today is the first day of my 365 Photography Project. The first post is up! I’m really looking forward the the next 364 Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed so that you never miss a post.

Once again, Happy New Year!