Hello, and welcome to my web site! My name is Kyle Owen, and I'm a computer and music geek. I realized early on, that I was a "geek" and I've spent my life exploring both technology and music. I started using computers when I was young, in elementary school, and have continually grown and pushed myself to keep learning, always. I currently have an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Computer Information Technology. I’m currently the Lead IT Applications Manager at Spreedly, check it out! LinkedIn profile you are into that sort of thing. This site is mainly dedicated to my music, and the work I have done as a musician and composer.
Musically, I've had a lot of experience, as well. Music has influenced my technology, and technology influences my music. I built my first computer in 2000, and started composing the same year using Sibelius. I taught myself how to do both, by trial and error, and doing whatever research I could to learn, and grow. I've had this website since 2004, and as I grow and evolve, I continue to add more to this site. Music is a large part of who I am today, and I see it as an important part of my life that can't be forgotten, or abandoned.
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Am I a "Professional" or "Amateur" ? This question is one worth addressing, as it is often asked.
Technically, I'm an amateur(?) but I hold myself to very professional and high standards in all that I do. I often call myself a 'professional amateur' that does my best to make sure that I'm at the level of professionals, even if music is not my formal career anymore. I do my best to meet my standards for this definition in composition, and performance. I've been paid to compose, perform, and audio engineering, at various points and projects. If I want to be involved in a project, and believe in a project, depending on funds available, I may do the work for free. At this point, most of what I do is commission based, or for pay, but I still donate my music from time to time. If you are a non-profit, or have a very limited income for a project, and want to include me or my work in it, please contact me and we can work something out. I don't do music to make money, but it is a nice benefit after the many years of practice, hard work, and dedication I've put into it so far.
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Music Career Highlights So Far:
-I've composed more than 50 original compositions. Some of them are shared here, but many works have not yet been included on the website because they were a part of other projects.
**Depending on the project, the music may not be available to the public yet. This is especially true of multimedia music, created for movies or games.**
-As a flute player, I just started my 24th year (oh my)! I hope to buy a custom flute around my 25th year anniversary of playing to celebrate. I'm active in the flute world, at various levels (Local, and National) and enjoy performance as much as I do composition. I originally started the flute because it fit in my backpack when I was in 5th grade. I had no idea I would love it as much as I do.
-I've played across the U.S, in amateur ensembles and various chamber groups. I've lived in California, Virginia, Illinois (Chicago), Louisiana, Michigan, and North Carolina. I've played in Bands (High School, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band, CA State Honor Bands), Chamber Ensembles, a Youth Orchestra, and Three Flute Choirs. I feel most at home in chamber ensembles, but I enjoy performing whenever possible, and sharing music with others. I used to hate performing, but now love it, and find it to be an important part of my music. I currently perform with the Raleigh Area Flute Association in the Silver Fantasy Flute Choir, on piccolo, concert flute, alto flute, bass flute, and contrabass flute. I greatly enjoy the harmony flutes, and spend a lot of time on bass flute, and piccolo.
-My music has been performed in: California, North Carolina, New York, Georgia, Louisiana, and many other states across the U.S. I've also had premieres in Canada, Australia, and soon, Greece. I've been published in the iOS App Store (as a composer for an iOS App), in a documentary, and in the iTunes Music Store. I also self-publish my own Sheet Music (available for download on the website). I was also included in a feature about music and social media by "Pan Magazine" in 2013. I would like to eventually get a publisher to publish my music, but at this point, I'm happy to self-publish and make my music easily accessible and affordable to those who want it.
-I write original music and etudes for music teachers, based on knowledge of Music Education. I primarily do this for woodwinds, but I am continually growing as a composer, and new instruments all the time. I focus on creating music that is lyrical, technical, and can be used to help students learn and reinforce techniques of the instrument. Most of this music isn't published, as of right now, but I will be creating books and collections of music to release, geared towards students and teachers.
-In 2010, I composed for an educational iPhone/iPad game. I wrote original music and sound effects.
-In 2012, I released my first song in the iTunes Music Store. It is a Chiptune/Electronic piece, called "Chaos Factor 10".
-In 2013, a documentary I composed for, premiered in Raleigh, North Carolina. This type of project was something I never expected to work on, but I feel very fortunate to have experienced. It was for a great cause, and story, and it forced me to grow musically in ways I never expected.
-In 2014, I created the 'web store' here, and made my music available for digital download and purchase for the first time to my 'fans'. Prior to this, people had to e-mail me personally, to buy a copy of my music. Now, my music is available to anyone who wants to play it, from my website. I will be adding much more content to the store in 2015-2016.
-In 2022, I intend to release my first performance CD, called “OneOnFive” based on my other brand, aptly named “OneAndFiveFlutes” which is where I share my Multi-track performances that are just me and my flute(s).
Currently I reside on the Board of the Raleigh Area Flute Association, in which I have been a member of since 2009. I currently provide the following for the Org:
TuneIn Newsletter editor
Website Manager
Technology Coordinator
This organization has been one of the best musical experiences in my life, and I’m happy to have been a life member with the organization since 2015 (or so!).
I will update this page, linking to the pages or projects mentioned, but as of right now, it is a good introduction to what I do, and what I have done.
-Kyle D. Owen