Buckthorn Studios

07/20/2025

This matters.

Intentionally using copyrighted works without the permission of the creators to train AI models is not fair use, it’s theft. In response to the recent Senate hearing, ASCAP calls for protection of copyright in the age of AI. Read our full statement for the record at the link here: https://go.ascap.com/aihearingstatementfb

06/19/2025

Agreed. Sad we have to bring this up, but it is a firm "no" to AI theft.

ASCAP’s position is simple: HUMANS FIRST. AI can be a powerful tool for innovation, but only if technology companies respect the rights of creators. The US can win the AI race without abandoning the strong copyright laws that built America’s creative economy into a global powerhouse. Learn more: https://go.ascap.com/4lw7CHV

06/10/2025

Congrats, UNT!

BREAKING NEWS - A CA****LA CHOIR WINS INTERNATIONAL PRIZE: This morning, organizers of the Modfestivals Marktoberdorf 19th International Chamber Choir Competition held in Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, announced that the University of North Texas A Ca****la choir, conducted by Allen Hightower, as 1st Prize winner of the competition as being "excellent at an international level.” They also received a special prize of the Walter & Charlotte Hamel Foundation for 'particularly outstanding and characteristic vocal presentation and flexibility of vocal style." See the Prize Giving ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9j6jZPAtWw The awards presentation begins at 1:11:52.

Denton Record-Chronicle University of North Texas Choirs TMEA Texas Choral Directors Association UNT Alumni Association Hoegger Communications Jackie Hoegger UNT Admissions UNT College of Music - Admissions

04/15/2025

http://www.musicavatar.org/categories/Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame-featuring-Daniel-Vaczi-with-the-Glissotar/index.html

Fifteen Minutes of Fame Featuring Daniel Vaczi with the Glissotar

Vox Novus is calling for one-minute pieces composed for Glissotar. This Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame will feature the talents of innovator Daniel Vaczi. The Glissotar is a unique, modern wind instrument that extends the capabilities of the saxophone and tarogato. Designed without traditional tone holes, it features a continuous wooden tone chamber with a specially designed slot with a magnetic ribbon attached, allowing for seamless glissandi, microtonal precision, and expressive timbral shifts. This innovative design offers composers a wide range of possibilities, from fluid melodic gestures to intricate textural explorations.

We invite composers to submit works that explore the Glissotar’s rich sonic palette, pushing the boundaries of melody, harmony, and extended techniques. Works will be selected and performed online in 2025.

Only works one-minute in length for Glissotar solo will be considered.

Guidelines:
Works are for Glissotar solo only.
Works should be composed specifically for this call and performers.
Deadline for submissions is May 27, 2025
All pieces must be premieres and not previously written or performed.
No works over a minute will be reviewed.
Multiple submissions are not accepted. Send your best work!
Works need to be submitted online at musicavatar.org
You will need to register with Music Avatar for free to submit your work online.
After logging in to Music Avatar, select the opportunity named "Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame: Daniel Vaczi" and press the "submit" button to start the submission process.
You will need to provide a maximum 50 word biography and 50 word program notes.
You will be able to upload a score as a PDF file (You may also upload an audio file; however it is not required.)
Must include the dedication to Daniel Vaczi on the score.
Performance notes should be included in the score.
Results will be announced via the Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame website and the new music newsletter: NM421

http://www.voxnovus.com/NM421/

More can be found be found at: Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame website

http://www.voxnovus.com/fifteen-minutes-of-fame/

About the Glissotar:
Glissotar (Glissonic Tárogató) is the first member of the Glissonic instrument family.

The main novelty is that - instead of tone holes - it uses a longitudinal slot on the tube of the instrument. The two sides of the slot are covered with a magnetic foil that attracts a magnetized ribbon on top. The ribbon is fixed on the upper end, stretched and lifted up from the lower end as a string on a violin. You can push down the ribbon anywhere, it will seal up perfectly above it, so you can produce any note in the pitch continuum. It can be used with a soprano saxophone mouthpiece.

Here is a short video about it:

More about the Glissotar on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-zFrXYQLk4

More info:

Glissonic website

https://glissonic.com

Fi*****ng on the Glissotar:

Fi*****ng chart on the Glissotar PDF

http://www.voxnovus.com/resources/Fi*****ng_on_Glissotar.pdf

About Daniel Vaczi:
Daniel Vaczi is the inventor of the Glissonic instruments. He is a Glissotar and saxophone player, composer, inventor and researcher of musical instruments and games. He graduated as a biologist and studied jazz saxophone. H founded his jazz trio in 2001. He plays jazz, world music, free improvisations, and contemporary classical music with several other bands.

Daniel Vaczi website
https://danielvaczi.hu/

Fifteen Minutes of Fame:
Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame is 15 one-minute works written by different composers specifically for a musician or ensemble.

Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame gives a variety of new music by living composers to audiences hungry to hear what is being created in today's music scene. The Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame project has featured more than 75 musician/ensembles premiering the works of over 1000 composers in New York City. The project has presented works across the United States and 10 other countries.

More about the project can be found on the website:

Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame website
http://www.voxnovus.com/fifteen-minutes-of-fame/

04/11/2025

Happy Passover to all who will be celebrating. Chag Pesach kosher v'sameach.

01/17/2025

The launch and proliferation of gen AI models over the past few years have been met with well over 30 infringement suits filed by copyright owners. This blog by our SVP of Policy and Government Affairs, Kevin Madigan, focuses on the most significant takeaways from 2024 and a look at what's in store in 2025! https://bit.ly/4haCH1D

01/17/2025

A massive loss to American music and musicians -- and creatives of every kind.

Our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating Los Angeles fires. We are deeply saddened that so many ASCAP songwriters and composers have lost their homes and studios, and are here to support our ASCAP family during these troubled times with our ASCAP LA Fire Relief Fund.

This dedicated emergency relief fund – in the amount of $1 million – has been established to assist ASCAP Writer Members in the Los Angeles area who have suffered loss or damage to their primary residence or studio, or been evacuated from their homes as a result of the LA fires.

You can find information on how to apply at www.ascap.com/lafirerelief, along with a list of fire relief resources available through MusiCares and other organizations.

01/17/2025

Go UNT!

STUDENT GROUP PIANISTS LEAD THE NATION: Group piano coordinator, Brad Beckman, reports that the nearly 550 University of North Texas College of Music students enrolled in group piano have achieved the highest SASR (Student Assessment of Sight Reading) scores in the United States. The measurement comes from Piano Marvel sight reading software. Dr. Beckman credits the fourteen teaching fellows who lead the student as they refine this important skill. UNT Admissions UNT College of Music - Admissions UNT Alumni Association

01/17/2025

Story in comments. Originals in Vienna. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KeVQe8UWK/

An archive of Arnold Schoenberg’s scores, letters, and photographs has been destroyed in the wildfires sweeping across California, in what the composer’s son has called ‘a profound cultural loss’.

12/09/2024

This matters, regarding all copyright and trademark works, as encoded in the founding documents of the United States of America and honored by treaty nations. Serious stuff.

When examining the intersection of and , the following general principles must form the basis of a common understanding amongst stakeholders, courts, policymakers, and the public.

(1) When formulating new AI laws and policies, it is essential that the rights of creators and copyright owners be respected.
(2) Longstanding copyright laws and policies must not be cast aside in favor of new laws or policies obligating creators to essentially subsidize the development of AI technologies.
(3) The ingestion of copyrighted material by AI systems implicates the right to reproduce copyrighted works.
(4) The ingestion of copyrighted material by AI systems is not categorically fair use.
(5) AI companies should license works they ingest.
(6) AI systems must implement safeguards to prevent infringing AI-generated outputs.
(7) Transparency regarding ingestion of copyrighted works by businesses that offer generative AI systems to the public will help ensure that the rights of copyright owners are respected, and that AI development is being implemented in a way that is responsible and ethical.

Read a detailed explanation of each point on the Copyright Alliance's AI position paper page." https://bit.ly/3VLUIIN

12/09/2024

Nice! Help is always needed.

New creators and students who are unfamiliar with these acronyms may look at those letters and simply be lost or confused. Learn them here.

03/20/2024

Congrats to CEMI. Many great memories.

CEMI TURNS 60: The University of North Texas CEMI - Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia celebrates its 60th anniversary during the coming weekend. Don't miss the panel discussion and concert on Friday evening at 6 & 8 and concerts on Saturday at both 6:30 & 8 all in the Merrill Ellis Intermedia Theater (Main Music Building Room 1001 lower level Avenue C south entrance). https://music.unt.edu/events UNT Admissions UNT College of Music - Admissions Discover Denton Denton Record-Chronicle Denton ISD Fine Arts Greater Denton Arts Council American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) Texas Society for Music Theory - TSMT The Society of Composers & Lyricists