Recording from University of Northern Iowa Symphonic Band (Justin Mertz, conductor).

Difficulty: Grade 3

Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute 1 and 2, Oboe (optional), Clarinet in Bb1 and 2, Bass Clarinet in Bb (optional), Bassoon (optional), Alto Saxophone 1 and 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1 and 2, Horn in F, Trombone 1 and 2, Euphonium, Tuba, Timpani and Percussion (6 players).

Percussion Used: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Tam-tam, Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Hi-Hat, Crash Cymbals, Slapstick, Woodblock, Vibraphone (no bow or motor needed), Xylophone

While the premiere was not able to be recorded, this mock-up of the work includes segments of a live readthrough with the students, as well as MIDI realization.

Difficulty: Grade 3

Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in Bb 1&2, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone 1&2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, 3 Antiphonal Trumpets (optional), Trumpet in Bb 1&2, Horn in F, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion (3 players).

Percussion Used: Bass Drum, Triangle, Snare Drum, Tamborine, Claves, Marimba, Suspended Cymbal

This is a MIDI rendering of the work

Difficulty: Grade 3

Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute 1&2, Oboe, Clarinet 1&2, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone 1&2, Tenor Saxophone, Bari Saxophone, Trumpet 1&2, Horn 1&2, Trombone 1-3, Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion (5 players)

Percussion Used: Timpani, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Finger Cymbal, Bells, Marimba, Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbal, Triangle, Gong

Duration: 5’15”

Commissioner: Gene Power, North High School

This work was commissioned by and dedicated to the late Gene Power. Written while he was still alive, the work was intended as a farewell to a beloved director who had made deep impacts in the musical community—then leaving for his DMA in conducting after his position from the school district was removed during steep budget cuts.

The work has fun and engaging parts for all instruments, with solos of varying length scattered throughout the ensemble representing the graduating seniors at the time. The work uses a simple, tuneful melody as the basis for a wide array of textures and moods, sure to leave listeners and musicians alike humming.

Since the work’s initial premiere in 2010, Gene Power unexpectedly passed in 2015 at the age of 35 just months after returning to the region to teach once more. His loss was deeply felt by our community, though his impacts are still seen rippling through the lives he touched to this day. He had been the first person to encourage my composing and heavily influence my decision to pursue a life in music, among many other young people in my small community.

In 2025, I will be releasing a new version of this work to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his passing, and the score and parts will be made available to download for free in perpetuity. In the meantime, all proceeds from this version of the score will be allocated towards offsetting costs for underfunded schools to have clinics/composer visits.

Pricing

Digital: $35

PDF includes a full score (transposed and/or in C) and individual parts formatted for page turns.

All proceeds from this work will be allocated towards offsetting costs for underfunded schools to have clinics/composer visits. If you would like to be considered for a free composer clinic, please reach out using our contact form.

This work is in three movements:

1. Ahuixotl (3’00”)
2. Moon Rabbit (5’00”)
3. Thunderbird (4’30”)

Difficulty: Intermediate college to professional

Instrumentation:** Trumpet Solo, Piccolo, Flute 1&2, Clarinet 1&2, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Sax 1&2, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Horn in F 1-4, Trumpet in Bb 1&2, Trombone 1-3, Euphonium, Tuba, Piano, Timpani, and Percussion (4 players).

**perusal score is version without oboe,
a version with oboe is available upon request.

Percussion Used: Timpani, Marimba, Ratchet, 2 Triangles, Tamborine, Tam-Tam, bells, Bongos, Vibraphone (no motor), Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Snare Drum

Duration: 12'30"

Commissioner: Andrew Chybowski, Pittsburg State University Wind Ensemble (wind ensemble version), and Will Koehler (piano version)

Mutes used: straight mute (Movement 1 only), harmon mute (stem in, Movement 2 only)

Kindred Spirits was written for trumpet player, Will Koehler. The work was inspired by our mutual passion, mythological creatures. While many pieces exist for Greek and Roman creations, I wanted to write a work which focused on creatures which had parallels across the globe.

The Ahuixotl (hailing from Aztec legends, with parallels in Russia and Ireland) is a demonic water creature, similar to a dog; it resides in fresh water sources, such as lakes, and has a claw-like tail that snatches unsuspecting swimmers from the surface.

The Moon Rabbit is by far the most prominent throughout the world—cultures throughout time and throughout the globe have seemed to notice a rabbit on the face of the moon, though they have different explanations for how it came to be there. I was particularly inspired by the Cree version, in which a rabbit wishes to go the moon and rides the back of a crane; the crane stretches its legs, and the rabbit digs its paws into the crane’s head to hold on. The rabbit has, by all accounts, remained there to this day.

The last movement, inspired by the Thunderbird, is most commonly known the US as hailing from North American tribes (particularly Algonquian tribes), though parallels exist in South African and Māori traditions as well. The Thunderbird is thought to have been of unimaginable size, serving both as a protector of the innocent and the judge, jury, and executioner of the wicked.

Pricing

Trumpet and Piano version:

Full score, digital: $40

Per movement, digital: $15

PDF includes a piano score (page turner required) and a solo trumpet part, formatted for page turns.

Trumpet and Wind Ensemble version:

Full score, digital: $80

Per movement, digital: $45

PDF includes a full score (transposed and/or in C) and solo parts for each performer, formatted for page turns.

Additional transpositions for the solo trumpet part are available upon request at no additional charge.

This work is in four movements:

1. Fully-Functional (5’30”)
2. Lost in Thought (5’30”)
3. Meditation (3’15”)
4. Just Background Noise (5’45”)

Difficulty: Intermediate college to professional

Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano (G3 - A5), Baritone (C3-G4)

Instrumentation: Baritone and Mezzo Soprano Soloists, Piccolo, Flute 1&2, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet 1&2, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax 1&2, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Horn in F 1-4, Trumpets in Bb 1-3, Trombones 1-3, Euphonium, Tuba, Piano, and Percussion (5 players)

Percussion Used: Snare Drum, Bongos, Toms (3), Bass Drum, Marimba, Bells, Vibraphone, Suspend Cymbal, Splash Cymbal, Hi-Hat, Tam-Tam, Tambourine, Temple Blocks, 3 bows needed

Text: “The Noise” by Kimberly R. Osberg

This work is in three movements:

1. Thin Aire (5’30”)
2. Bearceuse (3’45”)
3. Sun(ata) Burnt (4’15”)

Difficulty: Grade 3

Instrumentation: check back soon for more information!

Percussion Used: check back soon for more information!

Duration: 13’30”

This is an arrangement of a chamber ensemble work from 2013. Mountain Dances was written in the summer of 2013 in Estes Park, Colorado.

Inspired by the lush forests, towering peaks, brilliant sunshine, and even the occasional bear spotting, the suite encompasses a wide variety of moods, colors, and textures. In Thin Aire, the bouncing rhythms and intricate voicings work to create a perpetually swirling soundscape that is simultaneously light and lush.

In Bearceuse, both bear and lullaby appear in the piano's extreme registration and the reeds' lyrical and singing melodies.

Sun(ata) Burnt sizzles, burbles, and shimmers in colorful sustains, playful mixed meter grooves, and sweeping melodies that weave between the instruments.

The result is a showcase piece for the entire ensemble—roaming, tumbling, and dancing their way through the wilderness.

Pricing

This work is still being written. Check back September 2024!

In the meantime, you can check out the chamber ensemble version!

Difficulty: Grade 2 or Grade 4

Instrumentation: check back soon for more information!

Percussion Used: check back soon for more information!

Duration: 4’45”

Our Little Secrets was originally commissioned by the NEXT Commissioning Consortium, which aimed to provide flexible instrumentation works at various difficulty levels. In composing this work, I was captivated by the idea to include a few musical "secrets" that are passed between voices. The secrets tiptoe in and out, their details changing slightly or becoming more exaggerated each time they are confided.

With the wind octet and brass ensemble versions of the piece proving so popular among conductors and audiences alike, I’m excited to finally be arranging this work for full wind ensemble!

Advanced versions are appropriate for players at Grade 4 and above, though some Grade 3 players may find this an approachable project over the course of a semester. The beginner version is approachable for Grade 2 players, and includes restricted ranges and simplified rhythms.

Pricing

This work is still being written. Check back September 2024!

In the meantime, you can check out the wind- or brass-only versions!