Next Project: “Vermont State Fair” for Band
When I was a kid, my family spent nearly every Labor Day weekend in Rutland, VT, where my grandparents and several aunts, uncles, and cousins lived. It was the unofficial end of summer; afterwards, we...
View ArticleNew Song Cycle for Medium Voice and Piano: New England Folk Songs
I am excited to share a new song cycle, written for medium voice (male or female) and piano titled New England Folk Songs! This is my second song cycle (Alcott Songs was the first) and in this cycle I...
View ArticleNew England Folk Songs: Choosing Texts
The past few months I have been writing a new set of songs based on wonderful texts by Louisa May Alcott, Emily Dickinson, and Sarah Orne Jewett. My first song cycle, Alcott Songs, features a...
View ArticleAdvice for Musicians: Three Takeaways From My “Hangout” with Nancy Christensen
Last night I hosted a fun Google Hangout for Polyphonic.org with artist manager and entrepreneur Nancy Christensen, President and Founder of Christensen Arts LLC. Nancy had many great pieces of advice...
View ArticleSneak Peek: “Winter Song” for Flute and String Orchestra
Yes, it is Spring, and yes I am working on a piece called “Winter Song.” But, I live in Rochester, NY, so it is basically Winter all year long here – cut me some slack. This new piece is for my good...
View ArticleA Reflection: Playing Under Gary Green in the University of Miami Wind Ensemble
This past weekend, Gary Green led his final concert as the conductor of the University of Miami Wind Ensemble and Director of Instrumental Performance at the University of Miami’s Frost School of...
View ArticleHearing “Filled with His Voice” Live
It is always exciting to attend performances of my music in person, and occasionally this happens in the Rochester area, where I live. This past weekend, Dr. Jared Chase led a performance of “Filled...
View ArticleMy Favorite Getaway: Aurora, NY
When I need to get out of the city (okay, Rochester isn’t a huge metropolis, but it is a city nevertheless) I head to one of the most peaceful and beautiful small towns I know – Aurora, NY. Nestled on...
View ArticleThanks For the Music, James Horner
My dad introduced me to the music of film music composer James Horner when I was a kid and I always loved the emotional power and lyricism of his music. To this day, my favorite movie is Field of...
View ArticleHappy Birthday, Gustav Mahler!
Mahler will always be one of my favorite composers. Very few composers have created music with as much beauty, depth, and power as Mahler. I remember sitting in my college dorm room, listening over and...
View ArticleSketches of “Vermont State Fair”
I am in the midst of composing a new work for band (and probably an orchestral version, as well) called Vermont State Fair. I wrote about the inspiration behind the piece back in April here. This...
View ArticleThere’s No Such Thing as Luck
Have you ever heard people say things like, “You’re really lucky you met that person – they really helped open doors for you!” Or, “You got so lucky! What are the chances that this perfect job would...
View Article2015: A Year in Review
Happy New Year’s Eve! As 2015 comes to a close, I’m spending a little time looking back on the past 12 months and remembering everything that happened this year. I don’t often share behind-the-scenes...
View ArticleSaxophone Quartet No. 2 to be Recorded by the Iridium Saxophone Quartet on...
Exciting news! My Saxophone Quartet No. 2: Chant will be recorded this coming May by the Iridium Saxophone Quartet. The CD release is planned for Fall 2016 on the Blue Griffin Label. Stay tuned!
View ArticleResidency at University of Central Florida: Recap and Pictures
This past week, I had the privilege of visiting the University of Central Florida and working with the UCF Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Chung Park. The orchestra premiered two new pieces...
View ArticleNew Recording of “An Hour of Hallowed Peace” for SATB Choir & Piano
An Hour of Hallowed Peace is now published by Augsburg Fortress Press! They have produced a wonderful recording of the piece – you can listen and view the music in this YouTube video:
View ArticleFrom the Sydney Opera House to the Steps of the U.S. Capitol…
Magnolia Star (for wind band) was recently performed at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia by the Los Altos High School (CA) Festival Ensemble and by the U.S. Navy Band on the steps of the...
View ArticleNorth Shore Concert Band features Magnolia Star
I’m thrilled that the Northshore Concert Band, directed by Mallory Thompson, will perform Magnolia Star on their November 5, 2016 concert! The band recently featured my work on their blog – check it...
View ArticleHappy Birthday, Gustav Mahler
Mahler will always be one of my favorite composers. Very few composers have created music with as much beauty, depth, and power as Mahler. I remember sitting in my college dorm room, listening over and...
View ArticleSketches of “Vermont State Fair”
I am in the midst of composing a new work for band (and probably an orchestral version, as well) called Vermont State Fair. I wrote about the inspiration behind the piece back in April here. This...
View Article
