At the Edge of the Sea - NEW! Listen to a recording - Alfred Music (Grade 2.5) - Coastal areas are places that have much activity. Where the ocean meets the land is a place for animals to interact and where different ecosystems collide. The South Carolina Coast is one of those areas teaming with energy. The activity of birds was of special inspiration to me in writing this piece. The writings of Rachel Carson, particularly The Edge of the Sea, were helpful in developing a picture of the South Carolina Coastal areas. Also helpful were the writings of the Coastal Conservation League and their book, A Wholly Admirable Thing. The commissioning group, Everitt Middle School (Wheat Ridge, CO) wanted to commemorate the life and work of Senator Fritz Hollings who was a Senator from South Carolina from 1966-2005 and a strong advocate for the environment.
Sonoran Sunrise - Alfred Music (Grade 2.5) Click to hear and for order page - Set with rhythmic vitality throughout, Sonoran Sunrise will excite your ensemble and audiences alike. Percussionists will enjoy this piece for the mesmerizing groove, while woodwinds and brass will latch on to their syncopated melodies. A lyric middle section still drives forward with layered melodies building excitement until the unexpected major key ending.
In My Garden - Alfred Music (Grade 2) Click to hear and for order page - The phrase “If I had a flower for every time I think of you, I could walk forever in my garden.” at the entrance to a memorial garden was the inspiration for this piece. Technically achievable for middle school groups but musically challenging for high school groups, this piece will work for any level of band, Grade 2 and above. Alfred Music
At First Light – (Available 2024) WI Music (Grade 2) First light is a photographer’s term referring to the time of morning when light first hits a subject. Being at first light means getting up well before dawn and being ready to catch that first hint of light. Although it means getting up very early the rewards are amazing, to witness an area waking up and getting first light. At First Light musically addresses the beauty that every morning brings.
Our Flag Was Still There – Grand Mesa Music (Grade 2.5) Click to hear and for order page - This piece was commissioned by the Franklin Middle School Band under the direction of Dr. Kevin Droe. A few days after September 11, 2001 Dr. Droe approached me about a commissioned piece for the group. He felt the time was right for the students to have something creative, positive, and new placed before them. Dr. Droe was looking for something positive to come out of this tragedy and as the dedication says on the score this piece is a tribute to the patriotic spirit of the American people in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 tragedy. The piece premiered in May 2002 by the Franklin Middle School Band. Our Flag Was Still There was performed at the Midwest Clinic (2005) and the Lincoln Memorial (2013). Grand Mesa Music
Soaring to New Heights – WI Music (Grade 2) Click to hear and for order page - This exciting concert opener will engage all members of the ensemble with memorable melodies and bold rhythms. Mainly in Eb major, it has a secondary melody in c minor, a canonic section and rhythmic augmentation of the main melody at the conclusion of the composition.
Westview Sketches - Alfred Music (Grade 2) Click to hear and for order page - Commissioned by Westview MS in Longmont, CO for its 20th Anniversary. Westview has an incredible view of Longs Peak. The piece musically depicts Longs Peak through the seasons. Alfred Music
To the Gateway - Grand Mesa Music (Grade 2) Click to hear and for order page - To The Gateway is a traditional concert march. The Mountain View High School Band from Loveland, CO commissioned the composition. Loveland is historically known as the "Gateway to the Rockies" and the first band in Loveland was known as the Gateway Band. These were two determining factors in choosing the title of the composition, To The Gateway.
River of Lost Souls - Kjos Music (Grade 2) Click to hear and for order page - River of Lost Souls is written about the Animas River in Southwestern Colorado. The route along the Animas, which begins high in the San Juan Mountains and ends in a confluence with the San Juan River in New Mexico, boasts some of Colorado's most striking canyon scenery. Spanish explorers named the river "El Rio de las Animas Perdidas", or "The River of Lost Souls", in 1776 after several explorers traveled on the river and were lost.
Volcanoes of Mauna Loa - WI Music (Grade 2) Click to hear - Volcanoes of Mauna Loa is a composition that will challenge young bands to master articulation. Rhythmically vibrant with interesting lines for every player, this piece will add excitement to any concert program.
Journey of a Thousand Moons - WI Music (Grade 2) Click to hear- One thousand moons is close to 80 years. Journey of a Thousand Moons is a musical reflection of a life lived: happiness, sadness, reflection. This composition has ample opportunity for musical expression.
Bandemonium! - WI Music (Grade 2.5) Click to see and hear - Bandemonium! allows students to have some fun and let loose with trills, glissandos, mouthpiece buzzing and partial instrument playing (head joint, mouthpiece/barrel). The piece utilizes various percussion instruments, leans heavily on the chromatic scale, incorporates a Remington warm-up and uses tempo changes while also using melodic retrograde (M73-76) and polytonality (M69-72).
The idea for this piece came from all the silly things that students do with their instruments as they discover what each of their instruments have to offer! While fun, I feel this piece has a lot to offer musically and will challenge musicianship while occupying a lighter spot on your concert program.
Every Sunrise Holds More Promise - WI Music (Grade 2.5) Click to hear - This composition is a moving Grade 2.5 piece that contains a short aleatoric section, four small four note solos written for any instrument and contains an overall positive, uplifting message about how we care for each other. The four note solos reiterate the message “We care for you”. This piece will challenge groups musically and give individuals chances to develop expressive qualities. Band members can discover the emotional content contained within music.