Magnolia Star (for wind band) was recently performed at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia by the Los Altos High School (CA) Festival Ensemble and by the U.S. Navy Band on the steps of the U.S. Capitol! It is a great honor to have my work included on these programs. Magnolia Star has been performed by a wide range of ensembles: high school, all-state, college, community, and professional. This past year it was performed by both the U.S. All-National High School Band and the Canadian National High School Honor Band.
Residency at University of Central Florida: Recap and Pictures
This past week, I had the privilege of visiting the University of Central Florida and working with the UCF Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Chung Park. The orchestra premiered two new pieces of mine - Vermont State Fair and Winter Song - on two concerts.
On Friday, February 20th, the orchestra presented an open rehearsal for an audience of several hundred people at St. Luke’s Church in Oviedo. The first concert was held at St. Luke’s Church on Saturday, February 21st, and on February 22nd, the orchestra traveled to Leesburg, FL to present the program at Hawthorne at Leesburg. Between all these events, about 2,000 people heard this brand new music!
In addition to working with the orchestra, I had a great time meeting composition students at UCF and presenting a short talk featuring career tips for composers.
Here are a few pictures from the events:
- Looking over the score to Vermont State Fair as the UCF Symphony presented an open rehearsal at St. Luke’s Church, Oviedo, FL. Image Compliments of Oviedo Photo Club
- Giving a presentation to student composers titled “Composing as Your Career (or part of your career).” Photo by Chung Park.
- Pre-concert lecture with conductor Chung Park at St. Luke’s Church, Oviedo, FL. Image Compliments of Oviedo Photo Club
- Pre-concert lecture with conductor Chung Park at St. Luke’s Church, Oviedo, FL. Image Compliments of Oviedo Photo Club
- Concert at St. Luke’s Church, Oviedo, FL. George Weremchuk, soprano saxophone premiered “Winter Song” with the UCF Symphony and conductor Chung Park. Image Compliments of Oviedo Photo Club
- George Weremchuk, me, and Chung Park after the performance at Hawthorne at Leesburg in Leesburg, FL. Photo by Ashley Danyew.
Thanks so much to Chung Park and the UCF composition faculty for having me, and George Weremchuk and the students of the Symphony Orchestra for performing my music!
Saxophone Quartet No. 2 to be Recorded by the Iridium Saxophone Quartet on the Blue Griffin Label
Exciting news! My Saxophone Quartet No. 2: Chant will be recorded this coming May by the Iridium Saxophone Quartet. The CD release is planned for Fall 2016 on the Blue Griffin Label. Stay tuned!
2015: A Year in Review
Happy New Year's Eve! As 2015 comes to a close, I'm spending a little time looking back on the past 12 months and remembering everything that happened this year. I don't often share behind-the-scenes posts, but today, I thought it might be fun to share a few of my favorite things from 2015.
Enjoy!
HIGHLIGHTS
2015 was a big year for me, personally and professionally. My wife and I bought our first home in Rochester, NY this summer (a 1920 Colonial) and we're slowly learning how to be homeowners (and how to fix things!).
On a professional note, it was an honor to have my music performed at a number of all-state conferences and honor band festivals in New York, South Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Hawaii, and Kentucky. In addition, I was thrilled to have my music performed at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) conference in July and by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-National Honor Band at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in October.
I attended the Chamber Music America (CMA) conference in NYC in January and helped organize the pre-conference day, "How to Succeed in a Changing Musical World," hosted by Eastman's Paul R. Judy Center for Applied Research. We had a great time at the conference and enjoyed exploring Times Square for a few days!
RESIDENCIES
I had the pleasure of working with several great high school and college bands this year (and a church choir, or two!), with residencies, guest rehearsals, and Skype sessions at Nazareth College, Augustana University, Liverpool High School, Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Arkansas Tech Summer Band Festival, and Canandaigua Academy, among others.
PERFORMANCES
As a composer, the best part of my job is when people play (or sing) my music. This year, I counted over 65 performances in 18 states (and I know I'm missing some! Side note: I'd love to include your performance on my events calendar! Just fill out this form).
PUBLICATIONS
As most of you know, I self-publish the majority of my work, but over the past few years, I've started working with a few publishers for some of my choral and chamber music. This year, I had five pieces accepted for publication with Colla Voce, Augsburg Fortress, and Keyboard Percussion Publications:
- Speaking Love - An Hour of Hallowed Peace - Wake, O My Soul - Filled With His Voice - Chorale Variations
COMMISSIONS/NEW PIECES
It was a busy writing year for me, with two new pieces for band (Vermont State Fair and River Town Jubilee), two pieces for orchestra (Winter Song and Vermont State Fair), a new chamber version of "A Country Boy in Winter" (from Alcott Songs), and my second song cycle (New England Folk Songs).
P.S. Thinking about a commission for the 2016-2017 year? Let's talk!
As always, thanks for your continued encouragement and support of my music. Cheers to 2016!
SD
Hearing "Filled With His Voice" Live
It is always exciting to attend performances of my music in person, and occasionally this happens in the Rochester area, where I live. This past weekend, Dr. Jared Chase led a performance of “Filled With His Voice” with a mass choir consisting of several Rochester-area church choirs. It was wonderful to hear the rich sound of 60 or so voices singing this piece, along with beautiful saxophone playing by Dr. Chisato Eda Marling and piano playing by Alex Kuczynski. Thanks so much to all who were involved!
Magnolia Star Video Recording from 2015 OBDA High School Select Band
Check out this new recording of Magnolia Star on YouTube - a live performance video of the 2015 Oahu (Hawaii) Band Directors Association High School Select Band conducted by Eugene Migliaro Corporon. February 15, 2015.
Naxos Release! "Lauda" Recorded by Illinois State Wind Symphony
I'm very excited to announce the release of a new CD on the Naxos label, featuring my work "Lauda," recorded by the Illinois State University Wind Symphony! The CD features works by living composers, conducted by Daniel A. Belongia. Listen to and download the recording on iTunes and Naxos. The CD is also available from retailers.
New Video Recordings on YouTube!
Live concert recording of the University of North Texas Wind Symphony performing Magnolia Star:
Live concert recording of the Iowa State University Symphonic Band performing Goodnight, Goodnight:
Live concert recording of the Texas Tech Concert Band performing Adagietto: http://youtu.be/aM6jIk1YohE?t=25m49s
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:
Happy New Year! Upcoming Performances
Happy New Year! 2013 was a great year and 2014 looks like it is going to be excellent as well! I am excited about a bunch of interesting projects that are in the works, as well as upcoming performances which include the following: January 3-24, 2014 Bethel College Concert Choir - European Tour Directed by Dr. William Eash performing Filled With His Voice
January 8-10, 2014 University of Portland Wind Symphony - Puget Sound Tour Directed by Dr. Patrick Murphy performing Goodnight, Goodnight
January 25, 2014 Western Kentucky Honors Band Directed by Dr. Dan Belongia performing This World Alive
February 1, 2014 Houghton College Symphonic Wind Ensemble Directed by Dr. Justin Davis performing Goodnight, Goodnight
February 1, 2014 Virginia Senior High All-District Concert Band Directed by Duane Hill performing Goodnight, Goodnight
February 14, 2014 Houghton College Symphonic Wind Ensemble Directed by Dr. Justin Davis performing Goodnight, Goodnight
February 18, 2014 Bloomington High School Wind Symphony Directed by Max Chernick performing Magnolia Star
February 22, 2014 Bloomington High School Wind Symphony Directed by Max Chernick performing Magnolia Star
February 26, 2014 Eastman Wind Orchestra Directed by Dr. Mark Scatterday performing This World Alive
February 27, 2014 Texas Tech Concert Band Directed by Duane Hill performing Goodnight, Goodnight
February 28, 2014 Eureka High School Wind Ensemble Directed by Todd Stalter performing Goodnight, Goodnight
March 7, 2014 McNeese State University Wind Symphony Conducted by Dr. Daniel Belongia performing This World Alive
March 8, 2014 McNeese State University Honor Band Conducted by Dr. Daniel Belongia performing Goodnight, Goodnight
March 21, 2014 Bethel College Concert Choir - ACDA Southwestern Division Convention Directed by Dr. William Eash performing Filled With His Voice
March 22, 2014 Monroe, NY All-County Honor Band Directed by Dr. Jared Chase performing Magnolia Star
March 27, 2014 Macon County High School Band Directed by Mr. Joey Wilburn performing Goodnight, Goodnight
March 28, 2014 University of British Columbia Concert Winds Directed by Dr. Christopher Unger performing This World Alive
April 12, 2014 Tennessee All-State Band Directed by Dr. John Lynch premiering Journeys
April 24, 2014 UCONN Wind Ensemble Directed by Dr. Jeffrey Renshaw performing This World Alive
May 10, 2014 Seton Hill University Symphonic Winds Directed by Dr. Reed Chamberlin performing This World Alive
May 10, 2014 College of St. Rose Symphony Orchestra Directed by Dr. David Bebe performing The Star Spangled Banner
May 13, 2014 University of Delaware Wind Ensemble Directed by Dr. Chad Nicholson performing Flash Black