Tales from Dimension X-New Commission

I have just received a commission to write a grade 1 work for concert band from Elizabeth Betts, who is the band director in the  North Harrison school district. My goal is to write a fun, challenging, and unique piece so I am drawing upon my love of sci-fi and writing a quasi-cinematic work that tells a story of a daring space explorer. It also introduces students to aleatoric elements and non-traditional chord sounds and melodies (lot of quartal/quintal based melodic ideas, chromatic mediant chords are also used to give it that spacey sound.)It will be a fun challenge for me to keep all of my ideas within the realm of possibility for second year players and I look forward to working with Elizabeth and her students in the future. 

Luna To Appear At Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival

I just recieved word that Luna's Tea Party for jazz band will be performed by the St. Joseph High School All-Star Jazz Band during the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival. For more details visit www.colemanhawkins.org 

Luna's Tea Party for Jazz Band

In 2016 I wrote a jazz combo chart that is inspired by and dedicated to my niece, Luna, who coincidently just turned 5 a few days ago (Happy Birthday Luna!). Today I got a lovely recording of the Central Jazz Band (Chad Lippincott, director) reading through my big band arrangement of that particular chart so I though I would share it with you. I hope you enjoy Luna's Tea Party.

New Recording -The Politicians

In my last post WAY back in December I talked about my first work for concert band, The Politicians. After writing the work I shopped it out to my band director friends in order to get their feedback and possibly a performance/recording. Over the next 4 months I was lucky enough to have it programmed by four different ensembles (St. Joe Community Band, the Spring Garden 8th grade band, the combined 8th grade bands at Truman and Bode Middle School and the Benton High School band, who are all based in St. Joe, MO).

I was also fortunate enough to work with each group in rehearsal and give my input. It was a blessed experience and I hope to do it again soon. I wanted to share with you the recording I received from Chad Lippincott of the Truman and Bode 8th grade bands performing The Politicians. 

Enjoy!

New work for concert band

I am excited to tell you that I have finished The Politicians, which is my first composition for concert band! It is a humorous march parodying the political circus that is election season. It was written for middle school bands in mind so it fits nicely in the grade 2.5 range. Check it out by clicking the link above!