Travis J. Weller

I am honored to have “Moravian Dance” make its world debut on Friday, February 11, 2011 by the students in the PMEA District 5 Band.  Being an educator in this district and having worked alongside their directors (many whom are great friends and colleagues) I am eagerly looking forward to their performance.  There are many fine directors in this district and I know their students are up to the challenge of this program.  Mr. Jack Anderson is the guest conductor, and Steve Garay, Jim Scanga, and Donnie White are the on-site hosts for the event.  I am indebted to these gentlemen for asking me to write a piece to be debuted at the festival, and their long-time support and friendship is a blessing each day.

A sincere thanks to Susan Glover and the students of the West Ridge Middle School Wind Ensemble for their performance of “Tales of  a Medieval Warrior” this past December at Midwest.

I was delighted to find another performance on Youtube given by the Hopkins West Junior High Band under the direction of Mrs. Kay Hawley. Bravo students and thank you Kay!

I am pleased to announce that a live recording of Jazz Kings is now up at Myspace.  My thanks to the GCC Wind Ensemble for doing some great work on very short notice!  Looking forward to seeing many of you in Chicago next month amongst clinics and concerts galore – and especially a clinic given by Dr. Joseph M. Pisano (be there!).

Bump on over to Bandworks Publications, founded by New Jersey composer Patrick J. Burns! I have been a big fan of Patrick’s music for wind band over the past few years, and I am very excited he has launched his own publishing company.  It is an honor that he asked me to write a piece for the catalogue alongside some colleagues I really respect in the business including Chris Bernotas, and Drew Fennell (whom has really delivered on conducting and interpreting some of my pieces).  Check it out!!!

I am pleased to announce that two new pieces are available for preview at FJH Music.  The first is a piece for middle school/junior high band entitled “Tales of A Medieval Warrior”.  It is a three movement work full of brash fanfares, opportunities for small chamber groups within the ensemble, and a thundering conclusion portraying a joust!  The second piece is a transcription of a piece I originally wrote for the River City Youth Brass Band.  “A Frontier Fought and A City Found” chronicles the final capture of “The Point” in Pittsburgh by British Forces during the Seven Years War.  On the FJH Site you are able to preview the score while listening to the recordings by The Washington Winds.  As always, thank you for your support of this music, and I hope it can a wonderful musical experience for directors, students, and audiences alike!