Recent Examples
On of my most memorable commissioning projects was with Larryt Lampkin, Band Director, Linwood Middle School, Linwood, New Jersey in the Spring of 2007. The students at Linwood School suggested creating musical timbres reflecting the colors produced “As the sunlight passes through the sun-catcher it intensifies, clarifies and dances lyrically through the colored prisms, providing splashes of color texture throughout the room.” We decided upon Sun Dancing as the title.
As the composition progressed, I would send music (as a Sibelius file) to the band, along with personal thoughts on the music’s creation. During this time, band members created art work reflecting their impression of my music, one of which was selected as the cover art work for the publication.
In May 2006, I spent 2 days working with all of the Linwood music students on the preparation of the premier performance, giving further insight and understanding to the process of music composition.
The premier performance on May 12, 2007 was celebrated by a standing room only audience representing parents, school board members, school administrators and local politicians. Without a doubt, this experience was one that every band member will remember for a long time.
Other Recent Work
Cantus Jubilante:
Commissioned by Ross High School Band, Ross, Ohio, Richard Roemer, Conductor
Written as the dedication for the new Ross High School, Ross, Ohio, Cantus Jubiliante is a majestic festival composition capturing the enthusiastic spirit of this hard-working Southern Ohio Community.
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Soaring:
Commissioned by Woodland District 50 Middle School Band Department, band directors Rizelle Capito, Randy Heuvelman and Elise Matusek. Dedicated to honor Randy Heuvelman’s 30 years of service (1977-2007) to the Woodland Band Program in Gurnee, Illinois
Soaring is a mode of flight in which height is gained slowly by using air that is moving upwards. Written for music educator’s Randy Heuvelman’s 30 years of service to the Woodland (Illinois) School District, Soaring paints a music portrait of dedication, compassion and intensity, all aspects of this educator’s tenure.
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Bugs:
Commissioned by Emerson J. Dillon Middle School 6th, 7th & 8th Select Band, Phoenix, New York, David Frateschi, James C. DeMaour, Kim A. Gould, Conductors
The composition is a programmatic work written in short movements depicting 4 delightful insects, The Firefly, Daddy Long Legs, Butterflies, and the March of the Ants. The corresponding poetry by Ralph Venezia, adds a whimsical depiction of each of these creatures.
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Slidin’ Stiehl:
Dedicated to William Stiehl, founder to celebrate the 40th anniversary season of the Southwest Ohio Symphonic Band directed by Christopher Brandenburg
The march is written in the tradition of the great circus marches and, as you can guess from the title, features the trombone section.
"A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their music on silence."
