My advance apologies for the dreadfully ego-centric sounding headline above. I simply wanted to make sure this posting was optimized for search engine results… or “SEO” as it is called… which translates into posting views and insures that this story might reach a wider audience.
As many of you know, I’ve spent the second half of this year making the transition toward living and sustaining my life purpose. This wonderful article, written by the very talented Carla Kalogeridis, provides a deeper perspective on how I am working to translate my humbling gifts and talents into my daily vocation as composer, filmmaker and not-for-profit social media consultant.
Earlier this year, as a step along this journey, I voluntarily composed a theme song (click here to listen) for the Association Forum to be used as a source of motivation for all the not-for-profit association professionals out there who have weathered a very difficult year. The title of the theme song is “Go the Distance” which pretty much says it all to anyone from any walk of life who has endured this year of economic heartbreak and setbacks.
Within the past couple of months, I was contacted by Association Publishing Magazine about their interest in writing an article about the story behind this piece of music. If you click here you can read the full article.
As the journey continues, I also invite you to support my current documentary film project, Imprévu – The Kenneth von Heidecke Story, which is an inspiring story about a blue-collar Midwestern kid from Chicago who faces unimaginable triumph and tragedy in pursuing professional and international acclaim in the world of ballet.
When I first met Ken, I knew this was a powerful story that had to be told in a way that is as uniquely creative and as beautifully artistic as his life. This film will not be your typical documentary, but rather an emotive and inspiring cinematic journey that well leave audiences reflecting, and hopefully acting upon their own inexhaustible purpose and calling in life.
Please join the official Imprévu film group on Facebook by clicking here where you can read our production diary dating back to 2008, listen to clips of film music I’ve composed and see our growing collection of production photos. I also welcome you to spread the word.
It is with humble good fortune that I was recently selected to be highlighted in the Naperville Sun’s “5 Questions” feature, which was published on Monday, January 19th. 
My own road in life has been a twisting journey of purpose with each day offering the possibility of a new piece of the puzzle being revealed. As I’ve written recently, there are many out there within our Naperville community and beyond who have felt the crush of our nation’s economic collapse over the past year. Despite the tough times, in many ways the slowdown may very well provide the perfect conditions to connect/re-connect withyour own unique purpose in life. 
In my mind, the early pre-construction artist renderings of the new North Central College Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center did not adequately convey the depth of architectural form which can be found in the final product. The facility is as alluring on the outside as it is on the inside. Stacked shapes and sharp angles adorn the grand two-story convex panoramic glass front of the center. 
After the gallery, we took a brief walk through the lobby into the facility’s centerpiece, the Wentz Concert Hall. As a musician and composer I was quite excited about finally getting inside this space. I had heard much about the structural and acoustical design strategy. The first thing you notice right away as you walk through the double doors is the realtive intimacy of the space matched by little or no “dead” space. Our quieted voices carried freely around the interior. While there is a basic speaker setup flying overhead, it’s clear to see that it would be largely unnecessary even for the smallest ensemble. 
through a pourous surface and works its way up and over the top to be re-introduced into the hall high above. What it means to the audience is your head will not spin from swirling reverb hitting you constantly at ear level. In a way, the sound is recycled and re-introduced into the room at consistent balanced levels regardless of where you sit. 
The interior design of the concert hall reminds me allot of a large modern church. Perhaps it’s the choir seating which hovers just above and behind the main stage. The stage itself is as basic and as bare as it gets. Nonetheless, make no mistake, this is a music space which is fine tuned for the highest quality listening experience rather than overly ornate gandure.
After the Wentz Concert Hall, our next stop after a quick trip down a set of stairs was the black box theater, which is a small intimate flexible space which can be used in a number of different configurations. Fear not, this space is fully equipped and it reminded me allot of being in a television studio or small sound stage. 
I could also hear the muffled sound of students rehearsing a variety of instruments as we walked down the halls. It’s clear this facility is a huge huge huge boost to North Central College’s music program. 
Second, I took advantage of my time with Ted to pitch an idea of having open performance nights in which local artists might have an opportunity to take the stage and perform for the community. Let’s face it, to achieve a level of sustainability for arts centers these days, “friendraising” is as important as fundraising. My greatest hope is this center is as much a home for showcasing local artists as it is for visiting artists. 
Of course, to those of you who may be familiar with my photography know that a color image is a rarity, especially when it comes to architecture. Thus, so as not to disappoint, I also have a black-and-white image to share as well. 
Though I will concede the headline sounds a bit deep, the focus of this posting is not all the good things and many good people who advance communities. This posting is about the loss of participation, the untapped potential and unrealization of human purpose within communities all across this country and throughout the world. 
