"And the Cities Rise Like Dreams" Premiered in Nevada

This past weekend, the University of Nevada Concert Choir, Chamber Chorale, and Wind Ensemble premiered “And the Cities Rise Like Dreams,” a new 14-minute work commissioned to celebrate the university’s 150th anniversary.

I was able to be on campus for several days leading up to the premiere, and visited several rehearsals and provided feedback. It was a stunning performance in front of a packed concert hall, and I’m grateful to all those who helped bring the music to life! The day after the performance, we went into the studio and recorded the piece (the recording will be released this fall).

I was also able to work with the Nevada Concert Winds as they prepared for a concert of their own a couple of days prior to the premiere. They graciously included two works of mine on their program: Into the Silent Land and American Nocturne.

It was a fantastic visit!

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"American Nocturne" Named Finalist for 2023 Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Award

I’m honored that “American Nocturne” was named a finalist for this year’s American Bandmasters Association Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Award. Congrats to fellow finalist James David and this year’s winner, Andrew David Perkins.

I’m grateful to Alan Mills and the Rocky Mountain Commissioning Project for commissioning “American Nocturne” and for bringing the work to life. Thank you also to the consortium members listed below!

AMERICAN NOCTURNE

Commissioned by the Rocky Mountain Commissioning Project

for the 14th Annual Colorado State University Pueblo Festival of Winds

Liz Connor Kodadek, Apex Friendship High School, NC

Paula A Crider, Austin, TX

George and Colleen Eastman, Brighton, CO

Neil Guy, Cherokee Trail High School, CO

Dan and Kari Bell, Colorado Springs, CO

Alan W. Mills, Colorado State University Pueblo

Chad Dempsey, Edinburg North High School Band, TX

Ryan Lipscomb, Edwardsville High School, IL
Chris Barnes and Jake Opperman, Fond du Lac High School, WI

Shaun R. Popp, Henderson State University

Timothy McGarvey, Houghton College

Michael Berning, Kettering City Schools, Kettering, OH

Ted Ferrucci, Los Altos High School Bands, CA

Jackie Townsend, Lubbock Christian University

Jon Conrad, McLennan College, Waco, Texas

David Kish, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Doris Doyon, Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA

Adrian Holton, National Concert Band of America

Andrew Killgore, North Carolina

Raleigh "Butch" Eversole, Palmer Ridge High School, Monument, CO

David M. Blon, Purdue University

Amanda Kaus, Rochester Century High School, MN

Joseph Higgins, Rowan University

Jonathan Helmick, Slippery Rock University

Robert M. Schwartz, Southeastern Louisiana University

Jim Blankenship and Micah Ewing, Sycamore High School, OH

Carter Biggers, Texas Woman’s University

Timothy Kaiser, Tucson, AZ

Bill Tiberio, University of Rochester

John Oelrich, University of Tennessee at Martin

Justin Davis, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Alex Kaminsky, VanderCook College of Music NBA Collegiate Chapter

Michael Zens, Whitnall High School, WI

Edward F. Protzman, William Mason High School, OH

Patrick K. Carney, Winter Haven, FL

Bradley Faryniarz, Woodhaven High School Bands, MI

Premiere Performance

Colorado State University Pueblo

Hoag Recital Hall

Saturday February 12, 2022

CSU Pueblo Wind Ensemble

Alan W. Mills, Conductor

Just Finished! "Ancient Light" for the 2024 Oregon All-State Band

This week I finished “Ancient Light,” a new grade 4.5 piece commissioned by a consortium organized by the Oregon Band Directors Association. The piece will be premiered in January 2024 by the Oregon All-State Band, conducted by Jamie Nix.

The piece is inspired by the stunning photographs of deep space taken by the new James Webb Space Telescope. The Webb Telescope has the astounding ability to take photos of space as it appeared millions of years ago. Light that is truly ancient (hence the title of the piece) travels through space for millions of years to reach the Webb Telescope and it’s camera.

Musically, I tried to capture the speed and excitement of that light, and also the mysterious nature of deep space. I can’t wait to get the music in the hands of these outstanding young musicians! Preview the score and midi recording here.

*NOW AVAILABLE* Lamentation for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble

Lamentation for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble is now available - listen and purchase here.

The piece was commissioned in 2019/2020 by World-Wide Concurrent Premieres and Commissioning Fund, Inc. and premiered in February 2020 by the Sam Houston State University Wind Ensemble with Brian Gibbs, Conductor, and euphonium soloist SSG Irving Ray of the US Army Band “Perishing’s Own.”

In addition to the premiere at Sam Houston State University, the SHSU Wind Ensemble and Irving Ray took the piece on tour in February 2020 culminating in a memorable performance at TMEA.

The work was written in memory of Irving’s older brother Isaiah, who was also a euphoniumist who died tragically in 2006.

New "Festival Music" Recording [Video]

Check out this great new recording of Festival Music, performed by members of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Mark Scatterday.

"Canon Fanfare" Now Available for Flex Instrumentation, Wind Band, Symphony Orchestra, or String Orchestra

At the end of December, I had an idea: what if the first piece I published in 2021 was a fanfare, a celebration of what will surely be a hopeful year for many? After everything we experienced in 2020, it would be a positive, hopeful piece to begin the New Year.

Out of this idea, “Canon Fanfare” was born. It’s just 2 minutes long, and after a brief opening section, a canon begins that builds to the climax of the work. I have created 4 versions of the piece: 8-part flexible instrumentation (plus optional percussion). wind band, symphony orchestra, and string orchestra. Listen, see inside the score and order here.

New Commission: Work in Honor of South Shore Conservatory's 50th Anniversary

I’m excited to announce a new commission project! I will be writing a new wind ensemble work to be premiered in July 2020 at the South Shore Conservatory in Boston, MA. The piece will celebrate the conservatory’s 50th anniversary. I can’t wait to work with the conservatory students and their director Eric Laprade!

GREEN DIAMOND, the sequel to MAGNOLIA STAR, now available!

Green Diamond is a brand new 6 minute, grade 4.5/5 piece for wind band that is inspired by the blues scale and the American Railroad.

In my middle school jazz band, my director started every rehearsal with a blues scale exercise, which has stuck with me to this day. In 2012, I had the idea to write a concert band piece based on the blues scale, and Magnolia Star was born.

Last year, I began envisioning a sequel – a piece that builds on Magnolia Star, uses new harmonic and melodic material, and includes a few other surprises, like an off-stage alto sax soloist.

It’s a fast and fun ride that incorporates the blues scale, the minor/major chord, and even the Dies Irae! 

Check out this trailer for a behind-the-scenes look at Green Diamond:

Green Diamond is the second piece in the Magnolia Star Trilogy, a group of pieces inspired by the blues scale and the American railroad. Magnolia Star, the first in the series, was written in 2012.

Green Diamond uses the blues scale as a key influence, but it also includes a new element: the minor/major chord (C-Eb-G-B-D). These two sound worlds (the blues scale and the minor/major chord) generate harmonic and melodic material that alternate, combine, and compete throughout the piece.

Like Magnolia Star, the influence of the American railroad provides inspiration for sounds that are fast, driving, and energetic. Green Diamond also features an off-stage alto saxophonist who provides somewhat distant, jazzy reminders of the blues scale, offering an answer to Green Diamond’s preoccupation with the minor/major chord.

Green Diamond, like Magnolia Star, was the name of a train that ran in the early 20th century as part of the Illinois Central Railroad.