STAGE WORKS

Last Call (2013) — Opera (one act) — 45′ — Explores the different meanings and purposes of a small town gay bar for various ages and populations. Musically eclectic, incorporating opera, jazz, and EDM, among other genres. Premiered by NANOWorks in Cincinnati.

ORCHESTRA

Podcast Theme (2020) — Orchestra — 2′ — Short piece written for a podcast series by the Cincinnati May Festival.

Loss (2018) — Strings, Piano — 3′ — Short, elegiac piece.

Phainou (2012) — Orchestra — 9′ — Based on the Epitaph of Seikilos, the oldest extant piece of notated Western music. Premiered by the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony orchestra, Paul Stanbery, conductor.

Planck’s Consonance (2009) — Strings, 2 Perc — 9′ — Based on quotations of two pieces by Jean-Phillippe Rameau, whose treatise on harmony laid the groundwork for tonal harmonic analysis. Tones that would now be considered non-harmonic tones were considered as chord members in his treatise, which I viewed as being remarkably similar to the wave-particle duality in physics. Premiered at Northern Kentucky University, Joseph Pollard White, conductor.

Things Left Unsaid (2008) — Orchestra — 13’30” — Based on themes from Tchakovsky’s Sixth Symphony, widely believe to have a “secret program” having to do with the composer’s homosexuality. Premiered by the Indiana University Concert Orchestra, Mark Gibson, conductor.

CHAMBER AND SOLO MUSIC

Sup? (2017) — Jazz sextet — 9′ — Variations on a popular song in several popular styles. Premiered at Northern Kentucky University’s Confluence of the Arts

Spark (2014) — Double-belled Trumpet — 1’​ — Technical showpiece for this unusual instrument. Premiered at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, NY.

Zed (2012) — 2 Violins — 4′ — Technical showpiece heavily influenced by the Delta blues and progressive metal

4WD (2012) — Trumpet, Alto Sax, Bsn — 10′ — Four-movement work based on impressions of four different roads that have special significance in my life: Interstate 75, Indiana Route 46, 14th Street in Cincinnati, and the German Autobahn. Premiered at the Fresh Ink Festival.

Red, Black, and Gold (2012) — Brass Quintet — 10′ — Three-movement work based on the three colors of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Premiered at Ohio Northern University by the Polaris Quintet.

The Cage Has Five Bars (2011) — 5 Percussion — 6′ — Inspired by turning a piece of staff paper 90 degrees and realizing that the staff lines resemble the bars of a jail cell. How much of musician’s lives are held prisoner by those five lives? Premiered by the Northern Kentucky University Percussion Ensemble.

Capriccio (2011) — Tuba, Piano — 6′ — A quirky piece reminiscent of Stravinsky and Vaughan-Williams. Premiered at the Southeast Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference, Timothy Olt, Tuba.

Dali Hexaptych (2010) — 4 Tpt, 1 Hn, 4 Tbn, 1 Tba — 9’30” — A multi-movement work for brass choir based on six artworks by Salvador Dali: The Persistence of Memory, Mae West Lips Sofa, The Face of War, Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening, Corpus Hypercubus, and The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory. Premiered by the Miami University Brass Choir, Timothy Olt, conductor.

Nightly Scrambles (2010) — Fl, Clar, Sax, Bsn, Tpt, Hn, Tbn, Tba — 9′ — Based on various aspects of the nightlife along Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Premiered by the Northern Kentucky University Chamber Winds, Brant Karrick, conductor.

Rivers Through Autumn (2009) — Vn, Vc, Pno — 9′ — Reflective and optimistic piece.

Shake (2009) — Viola + Narrator — 5′ — Text is three poems by Bryan Borland

Aeolian Nocturnes (2009) — Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Piano — 9′ — Minimalist-influenced work inspired by night scenes in nature.

Reflections on the River (2008) — Cello, Tuba, Piano — 9′ — Nostalgic and upbeat piece that includes quotations from Saint-Säens’ “The Swan” and the Adagio from Shostakovich’s The Limpid Stream.

Midnight Caffeine (2006) — 2 Euphonium, 2 Tuba — 4’30” — Jazz/funk-influenced piece that grooves hard.

Three Degrees of Separation (2005) — Flute, Clarinet, Viola, Cello, Marimba — 8′ — A bright piece with three different themes at different tempos which ultimately end up counterpointing each other unexpectedly and beautifully.

Exotherm (2005) — Wind quintet — 6′ — Abstract work depicting an unpredictable chemical reaction.

Que Pasa? (2004) — Tuba, Piano — 5′ — Quirky piece heavily influenced by Afro-Cuban jazz.

Der Jagd (2003) — Horn, Piano — 5′ — Angular piece inspired by Paul Hindemith.

A Metamusical Sonata (2002) — Bassoon, Piano — 12′ — Three-movement work whose “themes” are different musical styles (e.g., sound mass, bebop jazz, pop rock).

Fleurs d’Ete (2002) — String quartet — 5′ — Composed as a wedding processional and recessional, reminiscent of the music of Aaron Copland.

CHAMBER MUSIC WITH VOICE

Appalachian Angles (2016) — Soprano, Violin, Viola, Cello — 25′ — Six-movement work based on poems by living Appalchian women poets, and Appalachian folk songs and protest songs. Written for soprano Kimberly Lazzeri, premiered at Northern Kentucky University.

Clamavi (2014) — Baritone Voice — 1′ — Setting of a mystical quatrain by Rumi. Premiered by baritone Andrew Head in Iowa City, IA.

Blessing (2013) — Soprano, Tenor, WW5 — 8′ — A setting of the “Apache Blessing” from the western novel Blood Brother, popularized in the  movie Broken Arrow.

Red Hands (2012) — Baritone, Clarinet — 1′ — Poignant setting of a short poem by Bryan Borland.

Simon (2010) — Soprano, Flute, Clar, Pno — 14′ — Dramatic setting of text by Bryan Borland about one of the early anonymous victims of the AIDS epidemic.

Of War and Eternity (2009) — Tenor, Pno — 10′ — Setting of two poems by Stephen Crane. Intended as an anti-war protest piece. Premiered by Eric DeForest, tenor, at Northern Kentucky University.

Amherst Posy (2007) — Soprano, Flute, Guitar — 12′ — Four-movement setting of poetry by Emily Dickinson. Premiered at Indiana University.

The Mystic Trumpeter (2005) — Baritone, Flugelhorn, Piano — 3′ — Short setting of an excerpt of this poem by Walt Whitman

Bogorditse Djevo (2005) — Soprano, Euphonium, Piano — 4′ — Re-composition based on the melody used by Sergei Rachmaninoff in his Solemn Vespers. Premiered at Bowling Green State University.

Come and Be My Baby (2004) — Soprano, Alto Sax, Piano — 7’30” — Jazz-influenced setting of the poem by Maya Angelou. Premiered at Bowling Green State University.

CHORUS

Dreidel Meshugas (2018) — TTBB Chorus — 9′ — Humorous variations on “I Have a Little Dreidel” in the styles of various Jewish composers.

I Believe (2017) — TTBB Chorus (with divisi) — 6′ — A setting of a text found inscribed on a wall in the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII. Premiered by the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus.

Where Are They Now? (2016) — TTBB Chorus — 10′ — A humorous “follow-up” on several favorite childhood Christmas characters. Premiered by the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus.

Reconciliation (2012) — TTBB Chorus — 5′ — A setting of this poignant poem by Walt Whitman. In the spirit of unity, it features the word “reconciliation” as a repeated mantra/pedal point, translated into dozens of different languages.

Ainigma (2011) — SATB Chorus — 9′ — A dramatic setting of Plato’s allegory of the Cave. Also includes a quotation, in ancient Greek, of the relevant text from 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass darkly.” Premiered by the Northern Kentucky University Chamber Choir.

O Nata Lux (2006) — SSAATTBB Chorus — 9’30” — Challenging setting of this religious text.

Winter Night (2006) — SSATBB Chorus — 9′ — Evocative piece with vocalise syllables exploring the harmonies of 11-limit extended just intonation. Premiered at Indiana University.

Sic Enim Dilexit Deus Mundum (2005) — SSAATTBB Chorus — 6′ — An abbreviated account of the Passion (selected verses from the Latin Bible), with interludes of this text from John 3:16.

Sonos (2005) — SSAATTBB Chorus — 2’30” — A brief exploration of the sounds contained in the word “musica.” Premiered by the San Francisco Choral Artists.

The Sunset (2004) — SATB Chorus — 5′ — Text by Timothy Olt, dealing with cherishing memories during difficult life changes.

Autumn Twilight (2004) — SATB Chorus — 7′ — Evocative piece with vocalise syllables exploring the harmonies of 7-limit extended just intonation. Premiered at Bowling Green State University.

Caritas (2004) — SATB Chorus — 8′ — Setting of an excerpt from 1 Corinthians 13.

October Prayer (2002) — SATB Chorus — 4′ — A setting of this gripping text by Esther Popel, describing the final prayer of a victim of a lynching.

ELECTROACOUSTIC

Flow (2017) — Video — 6’30” — Meditative video featuring footage excerpted from art projects by Northern Kentucky University students involing water. Music utilizes 31-tone equal temperament.

Headspace (2017) — Euphonium and Electronics — 13′ — Exploration of a “stream of consciousness

Cxu mi ankorau spiras? (2008) — 10′ — Baritone, Baroque Oboe, and Electronics (including the P5 Data Glove) — An “update” of a madrigal by Carlo Gesualdo. Octophonic surround sound.

Narrow Road to the Deep North (2006) — 6′ — Voice, Electronics — A setting of excerpts from Matsuo Basho’s travel sketch.

 

BAND

To Kindle a Light (2015) — 8’30” — Premiere by the Clemson University Symphonic Band, Tim Hurlburt, conductor. In memory of Timothy L. Parry, musician and educator.

Ignite! (2015) — 4′ — Premiered by the Fillmore Wind Band, Jim Daughters, conductor. Flashy concert opener, inspired by the creative process.

In Memoriam (2013) — 4’30” — Premiered by the Fillmore Wind Band. Introspective piece inspired by the tintinnabulum of Estonian composer Arvo Part.

Vision Fanfare (2011) — 2’30” — Premiered by the Ohio Northern Wind Ensemble, Thomas Hunt, conductor. Fanfare based on the hymn “Be Thou My Vision.”

Eyes of the Hawk (2011) — 3′ — Premiered by the Miami University Wind Ensemble, Gary Speck, conductor. Concert opener based on the hymn “Be Thou My Vision.”

Autumn Passages (2009) — 9′ — Premiered by the Northern Kentucky University Symphonic Winds. Reflective and exciting journey based on “October” from Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons.

Hymn for a Summer Twilight (2008) — 10′ — Premiered by the Pride of Indy Band, Eric Knechtges, conductor. Meditative and triumphant piece in celebration of summer.

Tie-Line March (2008) — 3′ — Premiered by the “Experience the Music” (LGBA members) concert band, Eric Knechtges, conductor. A quirky march  written for the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA).

Mi Mariposa (2007) — 2’30” — Premiered by the Indiana University Wind Ensemble. Based on short tunes written by two children in Bloomington, Indiana.

To Build a Rainbow (2007) — 8′ — A retrospective look at the formation of the Pride of Indy band, on the occasion of their third anniversary

Blaze (2006) — 3′ [brass and percussion only] — Short, brilliant fanfare

Winds Unfurled (2005) — 25′ — A four-movement work, similar in nature to Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra based on themes from The Stars and Stripes Forever

Carpe Diem (2003) 18′ — Written for and premiered by the Champlin Park High School BAnd in Champlin, MN.

Jackson Fanfare (2003) — 3′ — A short, energetic fanfare for the city of Jackson, MI, premiered by the Jackson Community Concert Band.

Broken Silents (2000, rev. 2012) — 16′ — In memory of the victims of hate crimes against LGBT people, and the Stonewall Uprising at the Stonewall Inn in New York City.

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BAND WITH SOLOIST

Twin Lake Reflections (2017) — 16′ — Tuba, Euphonium, and Band — Written for and premiered by SymbiosisDuo and the Falcone Festival Band, Joe Manfredo, conductor. Dedicated to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

Mariana: Variations on Ave Maria (2014) — 10’30” — Violin and Band — Written for Arianna Ranieri and the Ohio Northern University Wind Orchestra. Variations on a medieval chant melody, with a bit of a Celtic flare.

Up All Night (2013) — 9’30” — Trumpet and Band (also Euphonium and Band) — Third Prize Winner of the Doc Severinsen International Composition Contest. Premiered by Gabe DiMartino and the University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble, Don Ryder, conductor. Depicts a wild night out on the town, from beginning in loneliness, to cruising with friends around the city and stopping at places of ill repute, to sitting at a diner at five in the morning as the sun rises, remembering all of the great times.

Aporia (2012) — 12’30” — Euphonium and Band — Commissioned by Sigma Alpha Iota of Miami University. Premiered by Adam Frey and the Miami University Wind Ensemble. Based on a quotation from Ives’ The Unanswered Question, this piece represents mankind’s many attempts and failures at answering the eternal question of existence.