Impressions of America's National Parks by Steve Haun

My mother is a music teacher in the public schools and a piano teacher as well. I remember someone always playing our Steinway Grand, singing & humming around the house or hearing music from the stereo."

Steve began taking violin and piano lessons at the age of five; but, like many young students, his interest piqued as he remembers "hating to practice more than anything." Yet his talent was sufficiently developed for him to win first place at age six in a composition contest sponsored by the College of Music at the University of Kansas. Steve continued to study the piano for several more years, then focusing on the violin "seriously" until the age of 15 or so. I then thought it wasn't cool anymore; sports and girls were now my big interests." Along the way, he continued to win competitions and scholarships, including the Boulder Philharmonic Young Artist's Competition and a music scholarship to the University of Colorado.

Haun holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Certificate in Music Technology from the University of Colorado and a Master of Music in Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado, noting "I play violin, piano and a variety of keyboards. These last are my favorite instruments because of the number of different sounds that are possible. It's wonderful to have a virtual symphony orchestra at my fingertips!" Considering his achievements, it is a bit surprising that Steve does not consider himself "a very good pianist. In fact, I have music in my head that I can't play, which is why the use of the computer and a sequencer is such a valuable compositional tool for me. I do, however, feel that I play very musically and, at times, emotionally. I think these attributes show up on my recordings to the extent that many people think I am a better pianist than I do... I do, however, feel that I am definitely getting better all the time."

Known for crafting a heady mix of magnificent themes and delicately nuanced melodies, it's interesting to learn that while Steve grew up listening to classical music, the first recording he remembers buying "was Boston's first album. Every school day, during first period shop class, I heard the song 'More Than A Feeling' and I had to have the album. During the same time period, I bought albums by Kansas, Steve Miller and Jefferson Starship. I was also a huge Eagles fan, partially because I am related to Randy Meisner." But he notes that nowadays, his listening preferences run more towards the music of Dave Grusin and other instrumental pop stylists. "Three other musicians who impress me are David Foster, James Horner and Nelson Rangell," he says. "Foster for his musical styles and production talents, Horner for his incredible film scores and Rangell for his abilities in the studio and on stage."

"My favorite part of being a musician," Steve notes, "is the satisfaction and excitement of composing a good tune and the joy/pain of recording it. People, emotions, feelings, experiences and memories inspire me to compose. The ocean and the mountains inspire me to compose and, of course by beautiful family. I do hear music in my dreams and at times, have actually composed in my dreams. Unfortunately, I have not been lucky enough to remember the music of my dreams after I wake. I am also lucky enough to compose through improvisation during special times & occasions in my life...my wedding is a perfect example...I improvised a piece, in the moment and from my heart." I also composed a piece, almost immediately in celebration of the birth of my daughter.

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