Compositions

The pieces listed below are for a concert band setting. If you are interested in purchasing any of the following please feel free to contact me.

Hymn for the Altruistic (2003)

This piece is not available for purchase at this website. It is published through Arrangers' Publishing Company and can be purchased through them.

Hymn for the Altruistic MP3 recording

This piece has also been rated as one of the Top-100 band pieces for 2003-2004 by Bandworld Magazine.

Hymn for the Altruistic is adapted from the famous piece The Marine's Hymn. While the original is usually played at a march tempo, this piece is played slower and is more serene. You will hear parts of both the A and B theme from The Marine's Hymn strung throughout, taken apart, and re-pieced back together.
In keeping with the idea of a truly altruistic act of courage (as suggested by the title) the piece remains diatonic throughout- no accidentals. When composing this piece I thought of accidentals as outside selfish influences that intruded on the pure actions and thoughts of a person. Mainly used, also, are the I and IV chords. There is only one instance of a true V or vii half-diminished (or dominant) chord. Since a purely diatonic piece can be limiting to harmony the chords have been combined and built in ways that the original is not, so dissonant diatonic harmonies occur. This technique is known as pandiatonicism.

This piece is a grade 4.

Red Rocks Fanfare (2005)

Red Rocks Fanfare MP3 recording

This piece will be available for purchase in 2008 from Grand Mesa Music.

Red Rocks Fanfare is titled after the Red Rocks Ampitheater located in Morrison, CO, which is just on the outskirts of Denver. Throughout the summer, concerts are given in the ampitheater amidst the big bold red rocks and the gorgeous green mountainside. This piece displays the raw massiveness of the rocks among the beautiful setting that is their home.

This piece is a grade 4.

4 Short Episodes (2005, rev. 2007)

4 Short Episodes is a four movement work in classical style form and approach. The first episode is in 6/8 time with a light bounce to it. The 2nd episode is dark and ominous and builds to a fury from the middle of it to the end. The slower 3rd episode is similar to everyone's internal balance of happy and sad. The 4th episode closes out the piece with a jovial hurrah that will leave the audience humming this piece for some time.

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4 (all MP3 recordings and MIDI) (does not include non-pitched percussion)

4 Short Episodes Sample Score

4 Short Episodes Score and Parts                        $100
4 Short Episodes Score                                        $15

This piece is a grade 5.
 

Maillot Jaune (2003, rev. 2007)

Maillot Jaune is titled to signify the color of the jersey (yellow) that the overall leader wears in the Tour de France bicycle race. When watching a bicycle race it can be a great sight with the multiple colors of the peloton, the pack of riders, blurring by at great speeds. The beauty and integration of the peloton is represented from time to time in this piece. The end of Maillot Jaune ends in a furious faster tempo to imply a race to the finish line.

Maillot Jaune MP3 recording (MIDI) (does not include non-pitched percussion)

Maillot Jaune Sample Score

Maillot Jaune Score and Parts                 $90
Maillot Jaune Score                                 $15

This piece is a grade 5.
 

A Joyous Fanfare (2005)

A Joyous Fanfare MP3 recording (MIDI)

This piece was composed to fill a void in the holiday concert repertoire. A Joyous Fanfare is based on the Christmas piece Joy to the World. It is intended as a holiday concert opener but because it is only loosely based on Joy to the World it can be played at any time of year.
This piece is dedicated to the Timber Creek High School Band Program in Orlando, FL.

This piece is a grade 4.


 

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