Upcoming National Anthem Performances

My arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner, commissioned by the Idaho State Civic Symphony and conductor Chung Park a couple of years ago, will receive two performances this coming weekend: September 14, 2013 Lake Norman Orchestra Mooresville, NC Additional info here

September 14, 2013 Murray State University Symphony Orchestra Murray, KY Additional info here

Thanks to these ensembles for including my arrangement on their concert, and thanks to Chung Park and the Idaho State Civic Symphony for helping to create it!

Alcott Songs - New Work for Soprano & Piano

I am currently finishing up a new song cycle for soprano and piano titled Alcott Songs. The piece sets six short poems of Louisa May Alcott, most of which are very whimsical and fun.  Much of Alcott's poetry is about nature - flowers, birds, etc.  After spending some time reading through much of her work, I chose six poems that I thought would work best for this piece.  I also ordered them in a way that I thought could communicate a summer's day; the first poem begins with "Awake! Awake!" and the last poem is titled "Lullaby."  In between there are short tales of sunrise, flowers, lily pads, acorns, and finally sunset and sleep.

I am having a lot of fun with the poems and trying to write music that is as whimsical and fun as these poems are.   You can read the texts here.

More soon!

Listen to the U.S. Coast Guard Band's Recorded Performance

You can listen to the US Coast Guard Band's performance of Flash Black (from their June 9, 2013 concert) and a number of other works here.  Enjoy!

U.S. Coast Guard Band to Perform "Flash Black" June 9th

I am honored that the United States Coast Guard Band will be performing Flash Black on their June 9, 2013 concert, conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Renshaw.  Details are listed below and available here on the Coast Guard Band website. Academy Concert Captain Lewis J. Buckley Guest Artist Series Dr. Jeffrey Renshaw

June 9, 2013 - 2:00pm Leamy Concert Hall U.S. Coast Guard Academy 15 Mohegan Ave. New London, CT Free admission

Dr. Renshaw is the Professor of Conducting at UCONN Storrs and an internationally recognized conductor, pedagogue, arranger and author. He has selected a program of some of his favorites from the colorful repertoire of music for winds.

A Few Clips of "This World Alive"

The video below is from a live performance, April 18, 2013, by the Texas A&M Commerce Wind Ensemble under the direction of Phillip L. Clements.  You can see/hear clips of "This World Alive" from 1:57 - 5:26.

Upcoming Performances

I feel so fortunate to have all these wonderful ensembles and musicians performing my music!  Here are some upcoming events: April 23, 2013 Troy University Symphony Band performs co-commissioner world premiere performance of This World Alive Troy, AL

April 25, 2013 University of Connecticut Wind Ensemble performs Flash Black Storrs, CT More info

April 25, 2013 Abilene Christian University Wind Ensemble performs co-commissioner world premiere performance of This World Alive Abilene, TX More info

April 28, 2013 Bethel College Wind Ensemble performs lead commissioner world premiere performance of This World Alive North Newton, KS More info

April 28, 2013 Illinois State University Wind Symphony perfoms Flash Black Bloomington, IL More info

April 29, 2013 Spring Arbor College Wind Ensemble performs co-commissioner world premiere performance of This World Alive Spring Arbor, MI

May 2, 2013 West Liberty University Wind Ensemble performs co-commissioner world premiere performance of This World Alive West Liberty, WV More info

May 4, 2013 Pacific University Band performs co-commissioner world premiere performance of This World Alive Forest Grove, OR More info

June 5, 2013 University of California Davis Wind Ensemble performs co-commissioner world premiere performance of This World Alive Davis, CA More info

Obsidian Quartet Recording of "Saxophone Quartet No. 2"

In March I had the privilege of visiting and working with the saxophonists in Dr. Paul Nolen's fantastic saxophone studio at Illinois State University.  Here is a beautiful performance they gave in studio class of my Saxophone Quartet No. 2. Enjoy!

University of Delaware Wind Ensemble performs "This World Alive" Saturday

On Saturday March 16, 2013 the University of Delaware Wind Ensemble conducted by Chad R. Nicholson presents a co-commissioner world premiere performance of This World Alive.  Best wishes for a great performance! University of Delaware Wind Ensemble, conducted by Chad R. Nicholson Saturday March 16, 2013 - 8:00pmMitchell Hall, University of Delaware

Upcoming "This World Alive" Co-Commissioner Premieres

Several of the 27 consortium ensembles who commissioned This World Alive have scheduled premiere performances of the piece in the coming days.

• March 1, 2013 - Henderson State University Wind Ensemble conducted by Steven Knight (details here)
• March 5, 2013 - Clemson University Symphony Band conducted by Dr. Mark Spede (details here)
• March 7, 2013 - Illinois State University Symphonic Band conducted by Dr. Dan Belongia (details here)

Best wishes to these ensembles and their directors!

Saxophone Quartet No. 2 - Performance Today

This afternoon at 4:30pm, the University of Central Florida Saxophone Quartet will perform my Saxophone Quartet No. 2 at the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 6 conference in Orlando, FL.  The full schedule for the conference is available here. Thanks to Dr. George Weremchuk and the UCF Saxophone Quartet for programming this work!