What a treat to visit with the members of the Dennis-Yarmouth Concert Band and their fine director, Alex Pendleton.

I got to listen and offer some suggestions as they prepare RED RIGHT RETURN, a piece I wrote for them this past year. It is a celebration of a return to "normalcy" and a way of promoting the great place in which they live: Cape Cod, MA.

Mr. Pendleton and the band will premiere the piece at their winter concert on January 12, 2023. I can't wait to hear the results of all their hard work.

If you're interested, you can learn about RED RIGHT RETURN here.

Here is an advanced concert band version of my latest full orchestra piece. This was the first time I used this approach – from the start, conceptualizing a piece that might work well in both settings.

Just over 6 minutes in length, it serves as a celebration of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Established by JFK over 60 years ago, this National Park follows 40 miles of the North Atlantic coast of Cape Cod. NORTH TO RACE POINT intends to capture the beauty of this national treasure. Learn more about the piece and give it a listen here.

Here is my latest composition for full orchestra. Just over 6 minutes in length, it serves as a celebration of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Established by JFK over 60 years ago, this National Park follows 40 miles of the North Atlantic coast of Cape Cod. NORTH TO RACE POINT intends to capture the beauty of this national treasure. Learn more about the piece and give it a listen here.

Dedicated to my former colleague and friend, Dennis Bartelheim, Graustark Path is my latest piece for young band. Dennis has dedicated his entire teaching career to one community, and the city of Wooster, OH is better for it. Learn about the piece here.

My latest piece for high school concert band is a selection dedicated to Doug Bennett and the Wooster High School Concert Band in Wooster, Ohio. Staying Power refers to the dedication of my former colleague as he embarks on his 33rd year as the band's director and 38th year as a music teacher in the state of Ohio. Check it out and give it a listen here.

The latest in a series of full orchestra pieces, Ned Of The Hill is a lovely Irish ballad. Opening with solo horn, this composition is based on a pretty 16th century melody. Learn more about it and give it a listen here.

Inspired by the beauty of an ocean sunset, Sunset On Cape Cod Bay reflects the calm and serenity that one feels watching the sun set over an ocean horizon. To learn more about my most recent composition for full orchestra, go here.

With a rubato beginning followed by an easy swing, By The Light Of The Silvery Moon is another in a series of full orchestra arrangements. I hope this piece makes your (Doris) day. Learn about it here.

I recently finished an arrangement of a lovely Scottish air, Land O' The Leal. I'm very pleased with how this one turned out. The goal of this setting was to bring out the simple beauty of the melody and express the melancholy of the 19th century text by Lady Nairne. Learn more about it here.

Next up for me has been a number of full orchestra pieces. Cape Cod Shanty is an arrangement of a traditional sea shanty, Cape Cod Girls. It's a peculiar little song, but it makes for an exciting and fun piece for orchestra. You can learn more about the composition and give it a listen here.

The Adventures of Mark Otto is a new beginning band piece intended to reinforce an understanding of marcato. Mark Otto is "a relatively short, but strong, guy with an interesting accent." To learn about this fun little piece, go here.

It's been a pretty busy winter for writing new music. I was pleased to compose a piece for a fine local HS band, the Dennis-Yarmouth Concert Band. It's a celebration about returning to performances after a long absence. Learn about Red Right Return here.