New Wind Band Music for Fall 2014

More new music, just in time for the Fall semester! Here are four new pieces - three works for band and a new song cycle for Soprano and Wind Octet. Take a look at the scores, listen to the recordings, and let me know if any of these will work for your group. I’d love to hear from you!

Best wishes for a wonderful Fall semester!

Adagietto Grade 5 Band

Based on an original choral tune and inspired by Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry (one of my favorite pieces), this work is a simple, yet powerful piece with a soaring melody and rich harmonies.  See the score here.

Mountainscape Grade 4 Band

This lyrical work opens with a flute solo, and then a flute duet, introducing the theme that is developed throughout the work. The music is inspired by this passage from Isaiah 55:12:

"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

See the score here.

Journeys Grade 5 Band

This work is about life and living, new experiences (musical or otherwise) that make and define us, and those who have influenced us for the better.  The journey has only just begun!  See the score here

Journeys was commissioned by the Tennessee Music Education Association and Eastman Chemical Company for the 2014 TMEA 11-12 All-State Band.  Listen to a recording here.

Alcott Songs Soprano and Chamber Winds Octet (Grade 5)

Now available for pre-order!  Witty and whimsical, this song cycle is comprised of six short pieces with text by 19th century American writer Louisa May Alcott.  The work features a variety of musical material: from the light, buoyant dance-like opening to the soft lullaby at the close.  See the score here

Alcott Songs was commissioned in 2014 by a group of musicians and institutions. See the full list here.

A Great Weekend at TMEA

This past weekend I was in Memphis, TN for the 2014 Tennessee All-State conference. I had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful students and teachers from Tennessee, as well as conductors of the all-state ensembles.  The 11-12 (junior/senior) all-state band was premiering a new piece of mine titled "Journeys."  The band was conducted by renown conductor Dr. John Lynch, who really brought the new piece to life along with a band of really strong young musicians.  The students gave a fantastic performance in the Cannon Center on Saturday and it was an honor to be there with them! The day before, Friday, I gave a presentation at the conference titled "Working With Composers: Creative Ideas for Collaboration & Synergy."  I had a nice group of participants who were teachers and students in TN, and we had a great time talking about ideas for interacting with composers.  Also on Friday, the Ooltewah High School band performed "Goodnight, Goodnight" as part of their concert at TMEA.  I had the opportunity to visit with them and tell them the story behind the piece.  It was a lot of fun! Thanks to Joel Denton, Director of the Ooltewah band, and Rick Murphy who guest conducted the piece.

Thanks to everyone at TMEA who made my trip possible, and who made the all-state conference a wonderful experience for all! Here are a few pictures from the weekend: