2018 News & Events
My New & Exciting Opportunity!
June 1, 2018
Life never ceases to amaze me. On Friday afternoon (June 1st), I received an exciting and lengthy business call that lasted for an hour and thirty-eight minutes; a phone call with an old college classmate and fellow musician. Richard McLendon Music is just a short time away from starting work on a new musical. It’s going to be so good!
In regards to our collaboration, I’ve just signed a Mutual (also known as a Bilateral) Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that is in effect for 5 years; the typical amount of time required to develop and bring a musical to the public. What does this NDA mean? In other words, ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lies. Let the emotional rollercoaster begin.
Short Video Added to the Home Page
March 14, 2018
A short introductory video loop has been added to the home page of the Richard McLendon Music Website. The music, RMM Fanfare, was composed by Richard McLendon and the video editing & rendering was done at Red Ruby Music Creations Studio. It has been added to primarily give a brief music sample and hopefully lure visitors in to listen to more music while thinking of the possibilities of using the services offered by Richard McLendon Music.
For best results, use the HD button on the video’s lower right. You can also make it full screen. Keep in mind that the video can be stopped by clicking on the pause button on the lower left corner or directly on the screen. Here’s the short video:
Updated: Richard McLendon Music Website
March 11, 2018
The Richard McLendon Music Website has a new look! Please take some time, explore, watch, listen, and let me know what you think. Thank you for your interest and for visiting https://rcmclendoncomposer.com/
2018 Commercial for RM Music
January 16, 2018
2017 News & Events
Documentary Film Completed for The John Philip Sousa Foundation
December 12, 2017
The documentary film, National Programs & Projects of The John Philip Sousa Foundation, was completed December 11th. Dr. McLendon said, “It was a hard project that took many hours to complete. I’m ready to do another film!” The Sousa Foundation presents annual and biennial awards to exceptionally significant middle school, junior high school, high school, university, military, and adult community bands.
The film premiered in Chicago at the Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinic in December of 2017. It is not for theatrical release and is shown to instrumental music educators at state, regional, and national music education conventions.
The film was produced and directed by Deborah Bradley, narrated by Gene Fender, with original music composed by Richard McLendon (who was also the film’s editor). This color film was created using Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2018.
McLendon Will Score Music for The John Philip Sousa Foundation
September, 2017
Richard McLendon will be scoring music for a film focusing on the various band-related projects of The John Philip Sousa Foundation. The film will feature some of Sousa’s music, but will use McLendon’s music for a film that will focus on the non-profit foundation that is dedicated to the promotion of international understanding through the medium of band music. The film will be used at various events around the country by the Sousa Foundation. It is an exciting opportunity for me to assist this film’s realization.
Demo Page Updated Using ReelCrafter
July, 2017
Making short samples, grouping them into a genre of music, and sending them to a director has never been so easy. I can be anywhere on or above the planet and upload a new track. There are more features and it is much better than other platforms that I have used. As a composer, ReelCrafter is one of my helpful tools that I now use.
2017 Commercial for RM Music
June, 2017
Another method of making my service known to others.
MasterClass with Hans Zimmer
June, 2017
Hans Zimmer, one of the most prolific film composers of all time, teaches this internet course in writing music for movies. The German composer, who had no formal musical training, has scored the soundtracks for more than 150 films including “The Lion King” — for which he won an Academy Award — as well as “Gladiator” (2000) “Pirates of the Caribbean” (2006), “The Dark Knight” (2008), “Inception” (2010), and “Interstellar” (2014). Zimmer teaches aspiring filmmakers and composers how to use music to tell a story.
2015 News & Events
The Richard Bellis Master Series
February, 2015
I’ve completed Richard Bellis’ video tutorials that are designed to be helpful for film and media composers of all levels: Aspiring, Emerging and Veterans. Bellis is also the author of The Emerging Film Composer.
Bellis has worked as an actor in movies such as the sci-fi classic “Them!” (1954) and on TV from “Cheyenne” to “Batman. He has also worked as a composer winning an Emmy for “It” (1990) and was nominated for HBO’s “Doublecrossed” (1991) starring Dennis Hopper. He has served as past president of the Society of Composers & Lyricists, and served on the faculty of the University of Southern California, where he lectured for 11 years in the Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program.
He also served on the Board of Governors for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Bellis currently serves on the Board of Directors of ASCAP.
A Former Music Student Mentions Me
Jan/Feb/Mar 2015
2014News & Events
One-On-One Session with Penka Kouneva
October 16, 2014 Tujunga, CA
One of the very best highlights of my time in Los Angeles was getting to spend time with someone that is a highly successful composer and orchestrator in TV/film music and game music, Penka Kouneva. This was such an exciting experience for me and made a fantastic impact on my thinking.
Penka is a celebrated orchestrator on films such as The Need for Speed (2014), Elysium (2013), 9 (2009), Angels & Demons (2009), the Transformer movies (2011, 2009, 2007), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), and many more. Her movie scores include Primrose Lane (2015), Richard III (2008), Ice Spiders (2007 TV movie), In addition, her credits in the gaming world include Gears of War 3 (2011), Dragon Age II (2011), World of War Craft: Cataclysm (2010), StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (2010), and many others.
In her home studio, Penka spent time quizzing me on what I know, discussing the challenges of film music, listening to my original music and giving me priceless pointers and ideas, pointers on getting hired, and urging me on. It was the best 3+ hours I have ever spent. This experience was inspirational and I am forever grateful to Penka for her valuable time and guidance. Thank you, Penka! You have my admiration and respect!
NOTE: I have a picture of me sitting with Penka in her home studio, but she made me promise NOT to show it; something about hair and makeup. Its a woman’s prerogative. She is also sitting 2nd from the left in the photo under the news article about the Women’s Composer Panel.
Women Composer’s Panel
October 16, 2014 Los Angeles, CA
This was an event held at the American Film Institute with some of the leading women film composers. Left to right in the picture are Miriam Cutler, Penka Kouneva, Deborah Lurie, Laura Karpman, Lolita Ritmanis, and Kathryn Bostic. In addition to discussing their particular contributions to film, there was a discussion about the difficulties of being a women and being hired as film composers. P.S.: Their music was really great! They know what they’re doing!
GameSoundCon LA: Conference on Game Music and Sound Design
October 7 & 8, 2014 Los Angeles, CA
Two days of intensive sessions, panels and masterclasses on the essentials of game music and sound, designed for those coming from Film, TV, music and other traditional media. Brian Schmidt is the founder and creator of GameSoundCon.
Academy of Scoring Arts
February 7, 2014 Studio City, CA
This was a great opportunity to watch and listen to well-known Academy Award-nominated composer, David L. Newman. He offered some great great exercises on conducting and demonstrated his approach to conducting and communicating with an orchestra and how to improve. This event was sponsored by the Academy of Scoring Arts.
NAMM – The National Association of Music Merchants
January 23-26, 2014 Anaheim, CA
The NAMM Show is an action-packed global industry event where you can expand your share of the market with face-to-face meetings, product demos, idea-filled sessions and networking opportunities. As a trade-only event, The NAMM Show is attended by companies that meet the association’s membership criteria (generally those that manufacture, distribute and/or retail musical instruments/products), as well as trade and consumer-focused media outlets. Its also a great opportunity to visit with old friends and make new ones.
2013 News & Events
No Budget Film School
November 9 & 10, 2013 Hollywood, CA
November 16 &17, 2013 Hollywood, CA
Two days of intensive sessions with Mark Stolaroff, and Tom Provost, as well as guest speakers on the nuts ad bolts of no or low budget film making. Mark Stolaroff is an independent producer whose latest films have premeired at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival and the 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival. Both weekends were at the Charlie Chaplain Theater in Raleigh Studios which is one of the oldest studios in Hollywood dating back to 1915. It is located on Melrose Avenue across the street from Paramount Studios.
GameSoundCon LA: Conference on Game Music and Sound Design
November 3 & 4, 2013 Los Angeles, CA
Two days of intensive sessions, panels and masterclasses on the essentials of game music and sound, designed for those coming from Film, TV, music and other traditional media. Brian Schmidt is the founder and creator of GameSoundCon.
Sundance Institute Film ComposersLab: LA
May 18, 2013 Los Angeles, CA
This is the 3rd annual Film ComposersLab: L.A. Peter Golub, Director of the Sundance Institute Film Music Program, hosted the day’s events. The Downtown Independent aws the venue location and is a theater/cinema located in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles. It was a fantastic day that was a condensed version of the Sundance Institute’s more intensive annual Composers Labs.
Peter, Thomas Newman, Adam Smalley, Scott Johnson, Robert Messinger, Scott Holtzman, Doreen Ringer-Ross, Rolfe Kent, Aaron Zigman, and Clint Mansell, were guest speakers who presented their experiences, their views, and their methods, as well as answered questions and made themselves available for meeting afterward. I also got the chance to finally meet composer and orchestrator Penka Kouneva.
ComposersLab: L.A. is supported by BMI. The Sundance Institute Film Music Program is supported by Time Warner Foundation and the Film Music Foundation.
Southeast Film Music Symposium
March 1-3, 2013 Chattanooga, TN
The inaugural event, hosted by the Chattanooga Symphony and SFMS Artistic Director, George S. Clinton, was the beginning of a new chapter in my composing life. In addition to George, Don Davis, Peter Golub, and Doreen Ringer-Ross made presentations, and George, Peter, and Don conducted some of their film music with the Chattanooga Symphony in concert. It was a wonderful weekend filled with professional networking, concerts, seminars, and good food.
