Program Notes I am definitely a child of the media age, by which I mean this: my life, like many of yours, is completely immersed in entertainment. Movies, Books, TV Shows, Comic Books…and now streaming movies, streaming tv shows, video games, digital books, podcasts…we are drowning in entertainment. And I love every minute of it.…
Ramp up the adrenaline to a whole new level with this fast-paced work. Written in the style of an exhilarating traditional galop, it’s the perfect way to bring your performance to a rousing conclusion. The contrasting sections are punctuated by the humorous “boom-boom” exclamations of the bass drum that can’t help but be noticed and…
Imagine that every day holds the possibility of hope. Imagine that every day holds the possibility of goodness and love. Imagine that every day holds the potential for creation. These are the ideas that spawned Earthdawn. This works paints the picture of a lush landscape that begins to wake as the first rays of sunlight…
“March of the Arachnids” is the second movement in the composer’s “Garden Suite”, following “Frogs” from 2018. This strikingly original march is perfect for any performance venue, and is a fantastic way to teach your students how to play in fast 6/8. Published by Grand Mesa Music Click here for score
Lux Spiritus (“Spirit of Light”) was written in celebration of a Pennsylvania band director who dedicated her life and career inspiring and instructing the next generation of musicians. The work takes the form of a celebratory fanfare followed by an energetic dance that seeks to capture the fun and energy her students experienced daily in…
Beauty and joy are on full display in this new piece for concert band. The classic Japanese folk song “Sakura, Sakura” (Cherry Blossoms) is heard briefly before the work presents a charming, orchestral dance that is set in counterpoint to a warm, romantic melody. A solo for oboe (cued in Alto Saxophone), pentatonic scales, and…
DarkHeart is the fifth and final movement of The Darklands Symphony, following the wildly successful first movement Darklands March. This symphony finale wraps the work up in a very gripping way, musically depicting a daring escape from the castle DarkHeart. As in the other movements, the plainchant Dies Irae is used prominently as thematic material…
In some European Christmas traditions, Saint Nick does not work alone, he travels with Krampus who doles out punishment to bad boys and girls. This work serves as a darkly delightful Christmas piece, intended to educate, entertain, and creep out your audience. The spooky narration helps frame the piece as The Ukranian Bell Carol; Up on…
In three movements, this suite for young band will capture the imaginations of your students and transport them to an amazing fantasy land of musical expression. It is designed to be played as a stand-alone suite, or for an even more expansive undertaking, as movements 2, 3, and 4 of the Darklands Symphony, along with…
Zooveniers was inspired by a trip to the Memphis Zoo in 2010. During this time I had been toying around with the idea of doing a suite of miniatures; I love miniatures and the inherent challenge in making them interesting and complete musical ideas. As I wandered the Zoo, I thought of how little time…