The VanderCook College of Music Symphonic Band will perform “Pathways” at the Skyline Ballroom W375AB for their 2024 Midwest Clinic Performance. Conductor, Alexander Kaminsky
The University of Michigan-Flint High School Honor Band performed Ragamuffins with guest conductor, Joseph Dobos.
“Willows Weeping” (originally written for chamber winds) was set for Wind Ensemble and performed by the Old Dominion University Wind Ensemble in honor of their performance at the 2024 Virginia Music Educators Association Conference. Director of Bands, Dr. Tyler Austin did this beautiful band arrangement for his group.
The Gustavus Adolphus Wind Symphony performed “Feather” with conductor, Dr. Heidi Johanna Miller.
Harker Heights High School commissioned the piece “Echoes” to be performed in honor of recently retired David Norris in celebration of 34 years of dedication, inspiration, and leadership. (Commissioned by Eric Skinner & the Harker Heights High School Band Boosters.)
Meep Meep! was performed at the Region 8 West Zone Middle School Concert Band with conductor, Kimberly Tucker.
The Lawrence University Symphonic Band performed “Ragamuffins” for their program titled “More Light!”. Conductor, Dr. Matthew Arau
The wonderful Michigan State University Campus band performed “Ragamuffins: Shenanigans & Tomfoolery for Band”. Conductor, Yuji Jones
The Georgia State University Wind Orchestra performed “Pathways” on their program titled “Reflections” with conductor Braeden Weyhrich.
Kelly Watkins soft-premiered a beautiful new piece for band co-composed by my best friend Tyler Austin & myself. This piece exists in the world because my forever-inspiring high school band director, Lisa Preston, asked me to write something for her amazing @normalwestbands chamber winds, and now it has found its way into the band world.
Conductor Tim Heath was invited to share American Wind Band Music with the WASBE - Sektion Deutschland. He brought both “Seeds” and “Pathways” to the ensemble.
Ruth Petersen (current president of Women Band Directors International) conducted this haunting, aleatoric piece “Sueños de la Sirena” with the Burke County MS Honors Band in North Carolina. Bravo!
The UMKC Wind Ensemble Chamber Players gave a heartfelt performance under the director of Ms. Jennifer Hepp.
I had a wonderful visit with Dr. Tyler Austin and the amazing students at Old Dominion University where they gave a gorgeous East Coast Premiere of “Seeds”.
The collaboration with Elizabeth Hering and her amazing students in the McNary Wind Ensemble (Keizer, Oregon) has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I cannot wait for the premiere in March 2024, and to bring “Seeds” into the world.
I’m so proud of my alma mater, and the students in the Normal West Chamber Winds for this absolutely beautiful premiere of my newest piece, “Willows Weeping”. Commissioned by Lisa Preston for the Normal West Chamber Winds.
While more band repertoire representing diverse cultures exists today, individual educators are responsible for addressing the complex terrain of cultural appropriation.
Presenters: Tyler Ehrlich, Omar Thomas, and Danielle Fisher.
University of Michigan Symphony Band performed my transcription of Caroline Shaw’s, “and the swallow”.
Conductor, Jason Fettig
This edition of America the Beautiful was for my longtime friend, Matthew Hiller. The intent was to provide an arrangement that can be playable by young musicians (beginners at the end of their first year), while still providing interesting harmonies and challenges for more experienced musicians.
Howard Junior High, Waxahachie Texas.
Conductor, Matthew Hiller
The UMKC Campus Band did a fabulous job performing Ragamuffins! I loved getting to meet them via Zoom in rehearsal just a few weeks prior.
Conductor, Jennifer Hepp
The UNC Charlotte Wind Ensemble performed “…Does it stretch out its roots” co-composed by Dr. Tyler Austin and Danielle Fisher.
Conductor, Dr. Hunter Kopcynzski
Commissioned by Anne-Marie Cherry.
Performers, Anne-Marie Cherry and Monica Martinez
Corey Pompey, conductor
The Maryland Chamber Winds performed their 9th season and I was honored to serve as composer-in-residence. The original members of the group performed as a quintet “I Always Wanted Pancakes, Especially With You” commissioned by Danny Mui and the Musicians of the New York Ballet. The full chamber wind ensemble also performed a n adaption of a piece jointly composed by myself and artistic director, Dr. Tyler Austin “…Does it stretch out its roots”.
I am so grateful to Col. Jason Fettig and Lt. Darren Lin for bringing my transcription of Caroline Shaw’s “…and the swallow” to the musicians of the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. Their program was “Sacred Hymns, Songs, and Sounds”.
Penn State
Symphonic Band, Conductor James Gates
Meep Meep! performed by the Dallas ISD All-City Honor’s Band.
Conductor, Lucy Pascasio
“MEEP MEEP!” and “The Paperclip Prince” were featured at the ATSSB Region 1 clinic and concert Honor Band performance in Canyon, Texas.
Conductor/Guest Clinician, Matthew Hiller
Meep Meep! was commissioned by the Eases ISD Band Programs and received its premiere at the 2022 Midwest Clinic. The Westlake High School’s mascot is the Chaparral, a bird that is more commonly known as a roadrunner. This energetic and frenetic bird can be found all around the beautiful hill country that surrounds the school’s district - and also serves as inspiration for this piece. A play on pop culture’s representation of a roadrunner, Meep Meep! pays homage to the famous Looney Tunes adventures of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. This fun and quirky piece combines the silly and cunning features of these Saturday cartoons with the lively and wild nature of the bird that finds its home in the Westlake community. With a kitchen sink of percussion noise, mouthpiece sounds, vocals, and glisses galore, this piece captures the spirit of Chaparrals young and old. Meep Meep!
Program notes by Taylor LaPrairie (Westlake High School)
