French Horn
Note from the Composer: Greetings horn players! I’ve only very recently begun writing more for horn outside of large ensemble contexts, and would love the chance to collaborate with players interested in developing new pieces—if you’re looking to commission something, let’s talk!! In the meantime, I’m always happy to recommend works by other living composers if you’re on the hunt for something new.
Return to The Library | Commission Information
Current Commission Discounts:
Solo with accompaniment: Receive 25% off total commission price for proposals submitted before May 1, 2024 if the proposal is for horn soloist with accompaniment (piano, electronics, harp, string quartet, or large ensemble)
Unaccompanied solo: Receive 25% off total commission price for proposals submitted before May 1, 2024 if the proposal is for unaccompanied horn soloist
Solo Works
None yet! Be the first to commission one, and receive 25% your total commission fee!
Duos and Trios with French Horn
Commissions from Quarantine: 30. Optimistic, Mysterious for bass clarinet and french horn (2020)
This work has not yet been recorded - a MIDI rendering is available upon request.
Duration: 2’30”
Commissioner: Kathryn Vetter (Website | Bandcamp | YouTube)
Mute needed: No
What seems like a strange combination at first soon feels like a natural pairing in this dynamic work for bass clarinet and horn in F. Alternating sections of poignant introspection and high-energy celebration, this work capitalizes the horn’s lyrical expressivity, incredible range, and surprising dexterity to compliment the bass clarinet’s powerful melodic capacity, agile leaps, and stunning array of color.
COMING SOON: Freaks of Nature for clarinet in Bb, horn in F, and bassoon (2023)
This work was just premiered in Spring 2024—a recording will be uploaded soon! In the meantime, a MIDI rendering is available upon request.
This work is in three movements:
1. Firefoot and Ironclad - Volcano Snail (2’30”)
2. Lanky Serenade - Huntsman Spider (2’00”)
3. Gliding Giant - Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox (2’00”)
Duration: 6’30”
Commissioner: Natalie Groom (Website | YouTube)
Commissioned by Natalie Groom as part of the Neighbor Tones project, Freaks of Nature is a love letter to three endangered species. While a bit unnerving at first glance, each of these creatures have such unique and charming features. In Firefoot and Ironclad, the amazing Volcano Snail served as inspiration; a strong melody in the French horn sounds over burbling textures before giving way to a gentler section in which each instrument gets a chance to shine with the melody before returning to the playful burble of the opening. The Lanky Serenade inspired by the Huntsman Spider (which uses its vibrating body to attract mates!) features the clarinet in a crawling melody before a vibrant, lilting section uses the ensemble as one large instrument. Gliding Giant pays homage to the gentle nature of the massive mega bat (a frugivore named the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox, which can grow to an impressive 60 inches)! Large flapping gestures, soaring melodies, ascending triplets, and a rocking lullaby section give way to a final climb before soaring dramatically downward. While this short work is approachable for most college players, even the most seasoned performers will have a fun challenge bringing these fantastic freaks to life!
Pricing**
Full score, digital: $20
Per movement, digital: $10
PDF includes a full score (transposed and/or in C), as well as solo parts for each performer, formatted for page turns.
**pre-order now available, delivery August 2024
Volcano snail - so cute!!
COMING SOON: (UN)NATURAL for clarinet in Bb and horn in F (2023)
This work has yet to be premiered—a MIDI rendering is available upon request.
This work is in four movements:
1. Fire in the Wind (2’30”)
2. Lights in the Night (4’30”)
3. Unfurling Water (3’00”)
4. Electric Spinning (2’30”)
Duration: 12’30”
Commissioner: Natalie Groom (Website | YouTube)
Mute needed: Yes
Commissioned by Natalie Groom as part of the Neighbor Tones series, (UN)NATURAL was inspired by different weather phenomenon. Fire in the Wind was inspired by fire whirls (tornados of fire) and features ripping glissandi, percolating mixed meter patterns, and swirling lines. The second movement, Lights in the Night, was inspired by auroras; after a brief solo in the clarinet, the duo splits apart throughout, trading melody and accompaniment to create an expansive, dark, and sparkling texture before ending with another clarinet solo. The third movement, Unfurling Water, puts the French horn at the forefront of this tsunami-inspired movement. This section is formed as a single, ever-building wave—reaching a large point of tension before crashing down, spreading out once more, and evaporating entirely. Electric Spinning, inspired by sightings of mysterious “floating balls of lightning,” brings the duo back into close quarters—sharp, buzzing textures, ripping ascents, and dramatic shifts in register culminate in a final, triumphant punch. This showcase work is a fun challenge for advanced players looking to highlight expressive playing, tight ensemble work, and a wide array of colors and techniques.
Pricing**
Full score, digital: $30
Per movement, digital: $12
PDF includes a full score (transposed and/or in C), as well as solo parts for both performers, formatted for page turns.
**pre-orders available in July, delivery September 2024
Chamber Ensemble Works with French Horn
Power, Speed, Grace, and Grit for double reed soloist + brass quintet (2021)
Piece begins at 1:12:35
This work is in four movements:
1. Domonique Dawes, Gymnastics (3’40”)
2. Gertrude Ederle, Swimming (3’20”)
3. Michelle Kwan, Figure Skating (3’30”)
4. Wilma Rudolph, Sprinting (3’30”)
Duration: 14’00”
Commissioner: Rebecca Keller
Commissioned by oboist Rebecca Keller, this substantial work for double reed soloist + brass quintet is a true showcase for both soloist and ensemble. While the oboe and English horn soloist is the true focus of each movement, the brass quintet parts playfully interact throughout the work—providing moments for every performer to shine. Each movement is inspired by a different Olympic athlete (Dominique Dawes, gymnastics; Gertrude Ederle, swimming; Michelle Kwan, figure skating; Wilma Rudolph, sprinting), exploring a wide array of textures, colors, and interplay between the instruments.
Pricing
Full score, digital: $40
Per movement, digital: $15
PDF includes a full score (transposed and/or in C) and solo parts for each performer, formatted for page turns.
Our Little Secrets for brass ensemble (2018, arr. 2022)
Most ensemble configurations can be accommodated for no additional charge! Arrangements already available include:
1. 3 trumpets, 3 horns, 3 trombones, 1 tuba (original)
3. 3 trumpets, 3 horns, 3 trombone, 1 bass trombone
4. 3 trumpets, 3 horns, 2 trombones, 1 euphonium, 1 tuba
Duration: 4’45”
Commissioner: Pacific Brass Ensemble (arrangement) and NEXT Commissioning Consortium (original wind octet version)
Mutes used: None
Our Little Secrets was originally commissioned by the NEXT Commissioning Consortium, which aimed to provide flexible instrumentation works at various difficulty levels. The wind octet proved immensely popular among wind ensembles and graduate conducting students, so it was a pleasure to bring this piece to a completely new instrument group. In this arrangement made specially for brass ensemble, the shifts in color are made all the more subtle by the more homogenous relationship between instruments—making for lightning fast counterpoint, wonderful antiphonal effects, wild rips and fast trills, and thunderously powerful arrivals in the low voices.
Pricing
All versions, digital: $35
PDF includes a full score (transposed and/or in C) and solo parts for each performer, formatted for page turns.
Almost Ready for brass quintet or brass ensemble (2017, rev. 2021)
This is a performance of one of the brass ensemble arrangements of this work. For other versions, a MIDI rendering is available upon request.
Most ensemble configurations can be accommodated for no additional charge! Arrangements already available include:
1. Brass quintet (original)
2. 3 trumpets, 3 horns, 3 trombones, 1 tuba
3. 3 trumpets, 3 horns, 3 trombone, 1 bass trombone
4. 3 trumpets, 3 horns, 2 trombones, 1 euphonium, 1 tuba
Duration: 2’00”
Commissioner: American Brass Quintet (quintet version) and Pacific Brass Ensemble (brass ensemble version)
Mutes used: None
Commissioned by the American Brass Quintet as part of their residency with the Aspen Music Festival, Almost Ready unexpectedly accompanied the arrival of Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg at the intermission of a season concert at Aspen. The fiery counterpoint, powerful tutti moments, and sustained energy throughout the work makes this an ideal work for recitals—and special occasions! While a recording could not be made of this performance, the quintet version beautifully expanded into various arrangements for brass ensemble, making this a great piece for any brass group of 5 players or more!
Pricing
Quintet Version
Digital: $15
PDF includes a full score (transposed and/or in C) as well as individual parts for each player, formatted for page turns.
Ensemble Versions
Digital: $30
PDF includes a full score (transposed and/or in C) as well as individual parts for each player, formatted for page turns.
COMING SOON: near death for brass quintet (2023)
This work will be recorded by Calypsus Brass in 2024 for an album! In the meantime, a MIDI rendering is available upon request.
This work is in three movements:
1. fall (4’15”)
2. feast (4’30”)
3. flourish (4’00”)
Duration: 12’45”
Commissioner: Calypsus Brass Quintet (Website)
Inspired by the concept of whale falls, near death explores the fascinating life of a whale’s body after death.
In fall, the great whale descends to the ocean floor with great weight, expressive moans, and expansive depth. feast sees the violent flurry of deep-ocean feeders gathering to devour and savor the rare treat. Not all is mourning and decay, however, as in flourish the listener sees how the whale ultimately fosters something new—creating a safe, stable, and sustaining harbor for decades of life still to come.
More information on this work will be made available in the coming months, but in the meantime you can check out the blogs written about this fascinating feat of nature and catch glimpses of the piece at the links below:
Pricing**
Full score: $40
Per movement: $15
PDF includes full score and a set of individual parts, formatted for page turns. Alternate transpositions for trumpet available upon request.
**This work is in pre-order status. Delivery date in July 2024
Looking for more?
You may also find more works for French horn in the Large Mixed Ensemble section of The Library—or reach out to me directly! If I don’t have what you’re looking for, I’m always happy to recommend other living composers who might have just the thing!
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