Compatible Duet Series Release!

I am excited and honored to release Compatible Wind Ensembles Concert Duets with Carl Fischer Music. These 18 arrangements ranging in difficulty from easy to medium will work with any combination of wind instruments. Included in this book are works by Florence B. Price, Amy Beach, Charles Gounod, Ancieto Ortega, Louise Farrenc, Scott Joplin and others. So very grateful to the support and collaboration with both Kate Parrish and Mike Tatman at Carl Fischer in bringing this project to life!

During my time as an instrumental music educator, I witnessed growth and development of individual musicianship and true cooperation, collaboration, and connection. Chamber music experiences, like duets, engage students to be attentive to important aspects of tone, tuning, time, technique, and touch (expression). When two musicians depend upon each other to do well in these areas, individuals improve – and when individuals improve the full ensemble should as well. Students cooperate with each other and learn to cooperate with different musical styles as well. As a tuba player of many years and rarely getting to play melodies, it is important to me that students from different sections have the opportunity to collaborate in ways not always afforded by full ensemble repertoire. Finally, students have the opportunity to connect with each other using music of different cultures, different styles, and different composers. It is important to me that as many people as possible can see and hear themselves in the titles, the composers, and the styles of the music. When two people can get together, understand and work with each other, and perform music for others the world is a much better place. If they take this music outside of their rehearsal halls, there is an additional opportunity to connect with their communities. I am hopeful this collection will grow more intuitive musicians who confidently share their music with their communities as often as possible.