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This does sound great! Nice job! Short rant incoming though. I've spent plenty of my life being down on myself so take it from me: You're not always gonna find people who will build you up at all the right times, so you gotta be comfortable doing it yourself when you need to. It's tempting to keep fixating on your insecurities instead of your strengths. I'm guessing you say that you suck or that your music sucks because it's less painful/vulnerable if you say it before someone else can. In the long run, you're not doing yourself any favors though. As much as you enjoy writing music now, trust me you'll love it even more when you're not second guessing yourself or having to downplay your talents. Okay that's over now. This was a really nice little piece. I hope your church enjoys your writing! Keep it up!

I would love to tell you that an artist and suffering can exist apart from each other, but I'm not sure they can. We create music because, in some strange way, it allows us to express our sufferings, our experiences in the only way we can find release. (That isn't to say that all music is sad and melancholy, of course. But the songs I love the best are soulful and speak to my own sufferings.) Every oyster has to eat dirt before it can make a pearl. I'm thinking your pearl from this experience is going to be beautiful, indeed. And as far as being a "substandard programmer," have a look at how many composers had day jobs: https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2016/09/16/composers-day-jobs You're doing this thing called life very well. Sure, you've had some setbacks. Now you're taking some steps forward. We're all a mess—but we're a beautiful mess. And each of our messes makes us who we are. Keep it up, and try not to compare yourself to other people. Because, after all, you are the best person at being you.

I found the theme elegant and tranquil:) I also like how much contrast you bring in between Movement III and IV - The first, as a dance (?) is energetic and nostalgic while the Adagio have some cool colour changes! Nice work, @Noah Brode!

Thank you @Tónskáld! I have to say, I'm a little surprised at the love for the mazurka. I'll have to remember to resurrect some more funky old dance forms next time 😅 I have reviewed a couple of the other submissions so far tonight, but I am dead tired and need sleep right now... I'll review yours as soon as I can! I listened to the first movement and it sounded great -- really powerful. I think you'll be in good shape. More to come!

I really liked the Adagio, but they were all so elegant and well-done! The mazurka was a close second... And I'm right there with you about wondering if my submission will hold up against the competition. Y'all have churned out some really, really cool pieces!

well, i shouldn't say not supportive, he does listen to my music and tells me it is garbage...... Its whatever, I tend not to listen to him anyway, thanks for being my moral support!

Oh, please... they're moody through and through. Seriously moody. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hadn't used those scales before and now I'm quite taken with them. And I liked Gustav submission, too. Quite a different flavor from the others I've listened to. Very refreshing!

Really enjoyed these. They sound like different scenes of the same film, conveying different moods but maintaining an overall sense of unity. The primary rhythm was definitely very catchy, almost reminiscent of a rock 'n' roll beat, especially in the fourth movement. It reminded me of The Beatles in a way. Very impressive to orchestrate for a larger ensemble on limited time for a tricky challenge. The harmony got more and more interesting as it went along, particularly in the last movement. Really well done!

This is so moody, I love it! Maybe moody isn't the right word since you've clearly gone to some lengths to write something rather serious, but what I mean is that I like the atmosphere of it. I'd never heard of these scales before, and they're pretty interesting. If I had to pick, I'd say the second movement is my favorite! The whole thing is pretty amazing though. It's completely out of this world to me. Awesome job! I'm about to go listen to Gustav's submission and I think I saw the word 'drunk' somewhere in the description when I opened up the tab earlier so I'm anticipating some outright goonery over there. Here goes!

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who posted at the last minute! I agree it was quite a challenge, but I'm glad you made it. I loved the third and fourth movements! The energy and rhythm of the mazurka was right up my alley. The adagio was so colorful though, especially at measure 159! Loved that part and wished it had gone a little longer. Oh well. Those were my favorite parts!

Just listened to the whole thing... and I must say, I loved it! The rhythms were so catchy and the orchestration was very well done. Definitely be humming this to myself tonight. This is good stuff, KJ! I'm glad you were able to share this with us.