The Allegro for three solo clarinets and band is the first movement of one of Bach's most famous works, the Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. Originally written for two recorders, solo violin, and strings, this
Always We Begin Again was commissioned by the Sigma Chapter of the Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity at Ohio Northern University. The piece is a tribute to the memory of two individuals, Edwin and Rosemary Z.
ANTHRACITE was commissioned by the Schuylkill County (PA) Band Association, Matt Tenaglia president. The piece was written for the annual honors band and is inspired by the region's long history of coal
Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (1867-1944) was a virtuoso pianist, and the first female composer in the United States to garner success in her native country and abroad. She began her composition career at the
The Beltway Breakdown was commissioned by the Wakefield High School Wind Ensemble of Alexandria, VA; Mr. Brian Fischer, conductor. The commission was the result of a Wolf Trap Grant for the Arts which
BLINK was written for Andrew Spang and the Folly Quarter Middle School Symphonic Wind Ensemble as the first installment of their 'Play It Forward' commissioned works program. The piece is
A short, vibrant fanfare (only 2:00 in duration) which begins softly with percussion and builds to grand lyric statements.
Cecile Louise Stephanie Chaminade (1857-1944) was a virtuoso pianist and and an extraordinarily prolific composer, producing over 400 works nearly all of which were published during her lifetime. Although
Country Sketches is a two-movement work that encapsulates my journey growing up on a farm in Western Pennsylvania. It is personal programmatic music that has moments of innocence, hope, and joy as the story
Dances on the Golden Shore was commissioned by the All-Shore Intermediate Band Directors Association (NJ) to commemorate the organization's 50th anniversary year. Cast in three contrasting sections, the
It takes great courage to succeed in any area of music - we risk being right as much as we risk being wrong. Sometimes our efforts are met with acclaim and approval, and yet other times we face critical
Danzon was commissioned by Concordia University Music Department (Moorhead, MN) for their 2015 Honor Band. A light, dance-like work, the music recalls the musical style and language of Aaron Copland
Desert Caravan portrays a large group of people moving across the desert in a seemingly endless caravan line. We see the caravan silhouetted against the dunes, people and animals moving steadily onward,
Diamond Variations was commissioned by the Mt. Tabor Summer Band Program (Parsippany, New Jersey; Michael Iapicca, Director), in celebration of the organization's 60th anniversary year. The entire work is
Electric City Celebration was commissioned by the 2013 Marywood University Junior Honor Band Festival (F. David Romines, Director of Bands and Festival Coordinator), and was premiered on December 7, 2013
Emeritus is a musical gesture of heartfelt thanks to William Webb, and his predecessor, Ed Melichar, for their remarkable contributions to the band program at Edina High School (Minnesota). Theirs is a
Hmm, what is an enigma? That person in your life only described as an inscrutable mystery, the concept in your theory textbooks you cannot quite wrap your head around, or just some idea you cannot convey
Ludwig van Beethoven is known for many wonderful contributions to the late Classical and early Romantic Era in music history, but might be best remembered for the hymn tune that emerged from the final
A riveting tribute to the great Hank Aaron and his achievements, the piece evokes the imagery and experience of attending a ball game, playing a game at the playground on a hot summer day, or even just
Fantasy on "Salve Regina" was written for the Ohio Northern University Wind Orchestra, directed by Dr. Thomas Hunt, and is based on the chant, Salve Regina. The melody dates back to around the 11th century
Fawn Grove Fanfare was commissioned by the Bel Air (Maryland) Community Band - Richard Hauf, Director - in honor of Scott Sharnetzka and his 25-year tenure as former director of the BACB. Scott, a
For those who have not traveled to North Carolina, two of the state's most breathtaking natural features are the Outer Banks and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The piece attempts to express the beauty of these
Go and Ask My Mother appeared in it's original form as a comic ballad for soprano voice with sparse piano accompaniment. The lyric and music were penned my American composer John Hill Hewitt in 1848. This
Harford Rhapsody was written for all of my friends in the Bel Air Community Band (Maryland), directed by Scott Sharnetzka. I have a long association with this fine ensemble and have very many friends in