A Composer on Composing: Thoughts on Creating Music to Convey Emotion

An important part to emphasize is that the composer feels that something is incorrect or in congruent. There may be no rule or guideline that explains it logically, but the composer feels that they must continue the process of refinement.

Songs of Soldiers Debut

It was a wonderful moment to share the stage with the Musician’s Concert Band on Thursday evening as they gave the debut of “Songs of Soldiers”. I have attempted several times to arrange a work utilizing the Civil War folk song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”, but had not been able to complete a setting to my satisfaction. At my wife’s […]

Yankee Overture and Romance for Winds recordings

Two new works are now up on my compositions page. Yankee Overture, recorded by the GCC Wind Ensemble, and Romance for Winds, recorded by the Westminster College Wind Ensemble are both under publication review. Yankee Overture is a rousing concert opener based upon the folk song “Yankee Doodle”. “Romance for Winds” is a bit of a departure from some of […]

New music at FJH!

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 […]

Where there’s smoke there’s fire…and hey, is that my middle school band room?

The morning was calm.  Too calm.  After taking one last drink of coffee, I picked up my scores, baton, and tuner and began walking towards the podium.  In just seconds part of my middle school band would descend upon our rehearsal room eager to learn and play music (or maybe it was just the sugar from the snack line at […]

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