I'm looking forward to attending The Midwest Clinic this week in Chicago. This is the 78th year of the International Band and Orchestra Conference. Ever since my time at Northwestern University (just north of Chicago), I've had a fond attachment to this significant event in the band and orchestra world. It will be great to connect with colleagues and and see some old friends.

Although the great clinics and unforgettable performances will be highlights for me, the reason for most of my excitement is the premier performance of one of my new full orchestra pieces, "North To Race Point." This Grade 5 selection is published by C. Alan Publications and lasts a little over 6 minutes. It was selected for performance by the fabulous Jordan High School Symphony. This 125-member orchestra is from Fulshear, Texas, a suburb of Houston, and they are a spectacular ensemble. Congratulations to them for being selected to perform at this prestigious event.

My latest for beginning band is Bourne Bridge Overture. This new piece gives beginning band students an opportunity to shine. A brief fanfare introduces a majestic and tuneful theme, and a quiet and expressive interlude transitions to a dramatic close. Inspired by a bridge that connects Cape Cod to the mainland of Massachusetts, Bourne Bridge Overture will inspire young musicians on their musical journey.

My latest for string orchestra is Agita. As the title suggests, it's an anxious little ditty. :-) With lots of important dissonances and a liberal use of the "Bartok snap," it was a lot of fun to write. Hopefully it's fun to play. The funny(?) thing is, I just looked at the calendar, and exactly one year ago I completed Positive Energy for strings. Hmmm… maybe I should turn off the news for a while. :-)

I recently put together a list of audio files highlighting the Wooster High School Symphonic Band, Wooster, Ohio. These are recordings I collected of the band during my tenure there (1990-2019). Click below to visit a page that contains some of my fondest memories of these great musicians.

The quiet and stillness of an ocean, lake, or pond with its smooth, glassy surface is the inspiration for Calm Waters. Imagine yourself on the shore or in a sailboat as the you look out upon this peaceful setting.

Learn more about this latest piece for young band and maybe give it a listen here.

Gale Warning is an intense piece for full orchestra. Set in phrygian mode, it reflects the dangers of a wind storm on the sea. Learn more about this new composition and give it a listen here.

Composed around 1775 by Scottish fiddler William Marshall, Miss Admiral Gordon’s Strathspey is a traditional strathspey dance tune. It was written in honor of Margaret Gordon, daughter and only surviving child of Admiral William Gordon. Named for the Strathspey region of Scotland, the strathspey dance is a popular form of country dance, usually in 4/4 time and slower than a reel or jig. It is characterized by the use of the “Scots Snap" rhythm — a sixteenth note followed by a dotted eighth note, or in reverse order.

Learn more about this arrangement and give it a listen here.

Everyone needs a peaceful place to think and reflect. For me, that place can be found in the serenity of nearby Swan Pond. Learn about my latest for full orchestra, Swan Pond Soliloquy here.

Latest from me is a quirky little tune for beginning band, Clink Clank Clunk. It celebrates the many sounds and textures of the wind band, particularly some creative onomatopoeia explored by the percussion section. Check it out and give it a listen here.