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I’m the “TBA 2013 Featured Composer” this week at the convention in San Antonio, TX, and having a great time! The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras Wind Ensemble gave a fantastic performance of “Suite Dreams” yesterday, and this afternoon the Cedar Park Winds are about to open their concert with “”, and tonight, the USAF… continued
We’re moving (new house, still in Durham!), and while cleaning out my studio, I found the original scores for the Bowling Green premiere, the three UT Austin performances (including at the Meyerson and at CBDNA), and the one we used for the WASBE 2009 performance by the University of North Texas. I also found a… continued
It’s only three weeks until I’m in Chicago for the 2012 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic! I haven’t been to Midwest since 2009, so I’m particularly excited return this year and see everyone’s haggard-drank-too-much-last-night-8am-concert-music-soaked visages! I’m fortunate and honored to have four performances this year, including the USAF Band performing two movements of… continued
Last week, Kevin Geraldi and the UNCG Symphonic Band were kind enough to devote some time on a rehearsal to reading and recording The Machine Awakes for me, so now you have something other than the MIDI realization to listen to! Composers: I’m leaving the original MIDI version posted in hopes this will make for… continued
In anticipation of the world premiere of Solace, my new work for wind ensemble + electronics, coming up on Tuesday, October 9th, I’ve decided to post the MIDI realization, complete with those lovely buzz-saw MIDI saxophones. The piece is quiet for large stretches, so you should use good headphones (cranked up loud!), or a… continued
My newest work for large ensemble and electronics, Solace, is now in rehearsals at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Yesterday was the first rehearsal with electronics, and the first time I’ve gotten to hear the piece – always an overwhelming experience. The band sounded great, especially since it’s still early in the process,… continued
SHORT VERSION: Music education is important Writing “easy” music is hard Add electronics: The Machine Awakes, for young band + electronics, premieres this Thursday night, May 10th, at Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsboro, NC! Score and Recording (MIDI) MUCH LONGER VERSION: A vital component of my mission as a composer is music… continued
Another full semester of guest composer residencies, world premieres, and even a little conducting in Orchestra Hall in Chicago. The festivities begin… NOW! JANUARY 28-29 [Baltimore, MD]: Peabody Conservatory – David Vickerman’s Digital Embrace, featuring Christopher Stark’s Augenblick, Jason Gerraughty’s TWEAK, and my Ecstatic Waters – a full concert of works for winds, percussion,… continued
THREE WORLD PREMIERES in Spring 2012: I’m fortunate to have yet another very busy season to kick off 2012, including the world premieres of three new works: FEBRUARY 19th (Ball State Univ.), MARCH 1st (ABA Convention), MARCH 16th (Orchestra Hall, Chicago): Paean: Chant and Triumph, a new work for the Ball State University… continued
My mentor, first composition teacher, and friend, Dr. Francis McBeth passed away on Jan. 6th. He was a great teacher – funny, wise, sharp as a tack, with strong opinions on how music should sound. Every note I’ve written in the past 21 years bears his mark in some way, and it’s no exaggeration to… continued
Once again, I’m fortunate to have a lot of groups performing my music (particularly Ecstatic Waters and the Concerto for Wind Ensemble) and bringing me in to work with them this Fall. Below is the party bus tour schedule. If you’re in any of these areas, please come by! SEPTEMBER 12-14 [Athens, GA]:… continued
I’ve posted complete recordings of (almost) all of my music on SoundCloud. Leave a comment at your favorite moment in a piece (or not-so-favorite moment…). BTW, these are my favorite recordings of each of my works (in some cases, I’ve posted multiple versions), so please start here if you want to hear any of… continued