Hello, Newgrounds! I've started a mailing list to update people on my creative work, which is always posted on bentibbetts.net. If you'd like to join it, let me know and send me your email address. I plan on sending an update once a month. Here's the message I sent this afternoon. And here's a video version in case you'd prefer that format:

Personal Life

I'm preparing for a move I'll be making in early June, probably to Austin, Texas. It will be an adventure. Austin appears to be growing and it's a hub for live music. I like the idea of being around lots of other musicians. I've also never lived in a large city, which sounds fun and interesting. In mid-May I'll be taking a road trip down there to check it out.

Other than that, things are mostly the same. I'm still caregiving for my brother Donald up here in central Maine. He's doing great. He just celebrated his thirtieth birthday. We're having a good time. I'll conclude caregiving for him on May 10. That's when our parents come home from Florida and take over that work for the summer.

It's good that the COVID situation is changing. People are coming out and being in company again, which is heartwarming to see. It's also good news for me as a musician. I look forward to resuming in-person performances soon.

Subscribers

My website has a lot of free content, but it's also a place where you can support me if you wish.

If you enjoy my music and want to support me, please subscribe to my website. It is $4 a month. The transactions are handled securely through PayPal. In return you'll receive access to subscriber-only content, including the following:

• A podcast called Music and Ideas
• Sheet music for my compositions
• Music in the Audio Store
• Video work logs

If you subscribe, you'll also receive reduced rates on services such as lessons and piano accompaniment. Just contact me to negotiate the details.

Someday, I'd love to make a living from a subscription-style model like this, because it seems to offer both creative freedom and a direct connection to my audience.

"Child's Game"

This past month, I had a piece recorded by the tuba player Tyler Woodbury: Child's Game is for tuba and harpsichord, which is just about the weirdest combination I can think of.

Tyler was a student at UMass who I worked with for a number of years. He's a talented, disciplined musician. At one point a while back Tyler and I tried to record this piece in person. Unfortunately, that day the harpsichord was tuned to Baroque tuning. Putting that with a modern tuba, let's just say it sounded...bad.

Thankfully this new recording sounds wonderful. You can hear it for free and sheet music is available to subscribers.

Donald Plays "Minuet in G"

This month, I uploaded another video of Donald playing the piano. Donald was my first piano student, back in high school. Every so often he'll finish a piece and we'll record a video of it. Recently he learned an arrangement of Minuet in G by Beethoven. The video is about a minute and a half and it's available for download on the students page.

It's really good to see Donald still playing the piano. I'm proud of him; he works hard to learn these pieces.

New Items in the Audio Store

The Audio Store is for people who make media. If you make videos, games, etc. that need music, these items are available for license. Basically, if you're willing to subscribe regularly for $4 a month then you can do anything you want with this music. There's no limit or fine print on royalties or exclusivity, you can use the audio as many times as you want, and $4 gets you access to everything in the store. That includes stems (different versions of the tracks featuring certain instruments or components of the original). The only thing I ask is that you don't pass it off as your own work; please credit me as the composer.

I've uploaded two new items to the store. The first is called "Magical Breeze", and it's a fantasy-style piece featuring harp, strings, and flute. The other is called "Near Infinite Tenderness" and it's a very soft, gentle piano performance.

I wrote a few more tracks this month, but I'm holding off on releasing them for now. Sometimes it's useful to take a break after composing something. Getting space before listening again helps me be more objective. Occasionally I'll think something is great, then I'll listen again a week or two later and say, "What was I thinking? This is garbage..." Anyway, those tracks will probably be released in May (unless they're garbage).

Conclusion

It's amazing to reflect and feel grateful for the positive relationships in my life. Whether you're a friend, family, colleague, or acquaintance, thank you for your support and interest in my work. If there's something I can do to support you in return please feel free to ask.

I think the next time I write one of these it will be from the road! I'll probably be in a hotel room or something.

Take care and thanks for reading!

Ben