John Henry Commission
I'm excited to announce my collaboration with composer Shanyse Strickland to write a new, three movement work for Tenor and Bass Trombone with mixed string ensemble and percussion based around the legend of Appalachian folk icon John Henry.
This composition seeks to acknowledge traditions from the communities who have sustained Henry’s tale while breathing new life into his legend through Strickland’s unique voice.
You can learn more about the project by clicking on the wonderful artwork of John Henry by artist David LaFleur provided by the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, or the button below.
"Wave" by Buddy Rich
Special thanks to my colleagues at West Virginia University for inviting me to come in and solo with the jazz ensemble on this fun piece.
Performed December 2024
WVU Shape Note
As part of a 2024 CCA Mentored Research project, I have prepared a collection of part books transposed for nine instrumental and vocal settings, including transcriptions of works from "The Sacred Harp", "The Shenandoah Harmony", and "Harmonia Sacra", as well as an arrangement of Country Roads in the style of hymnody from "The Sacred Harp."
My research and these part books were presented at West Virginia University on Feb 12, 2024 at the School of Music for students enrolled Music Convocation, and on Sunday, Mar 17, 2024 the Museum Education center for a public event entitled "Spring Sing & Play."
The part books will be available for free download at a future date.
"Run Away to Mars" by TALK
One of my favorite parts of working with middle and high school students on a weekly basis was trying to engage them in performing relevant music. This quick arrangement of TALK's "Run Away to Mars" was a fun diversion from their TMEA competition pieces and a fun challenge for me to write in a time crunch.
You can view the entire score at Musescore.
DC Trombone Workshop
I was very happy to step out from behind the camera and join the faculty choir for last year's workshop, and then to produce these videos for our YouTube Channel.
We premiered Frank Gulino's new piece for trombone choir and piano, "Sea of Sunset," as well as Amy Dunker's powerful "When There Are Nine," entitled after the following quote by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg:
"When I'm sometimes asked when will there be enough [women on the Supreme Court] and I say, 'When there are nine,' people are shocked. But there'd been nine men, and nobody's ever raised a question about that."