Wind Band

"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.

"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.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - New Arrangement for Flexible Instrumentation Now Available

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - New Arrangement for Flexible Instrumentation Now Available

We've started listening to Christmas music in our house (Yes, it’s October) - there's just too much good music to listen to in one month! In that spirit, I'm pleased to announce the release of a new arrangement of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, scored for 8-part flexible instrumentation with optional piano and percussion.

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.



"Into the Silent Land" - Music Reflecting on the Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy - Behind-the-Scenes

"Into the Silent Land" - Music Reflecting on the Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy - Behind-the-Scenes

I grew up in Sandy Hook, CT and attended Sandy Hook Elementary School.

I believe that music is one way we can remember the victims of the tragedy, their families, and victims of similar tragedies. This was the hardest piece I have written, but I hope that the music allows listeners to pause and remember these victims, and come together to prevent this kind of violence in the future.

Two Upcoming Premieres

Two Upcoming Premieres

I am very excited about two new pieces that will be premiered in February and March, 2018.

The first is "Ultra," a three-movement, grade 4 work that will be premiered by the Arkansas Intercollegiate Band, conducted by Rob Carochan on February 15th. The piece was commissioned by the Arkansas Chapter of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA). You can see a little preview of me playing music from the second movement here.