2021-2022 Pedagogy Projects
After a year of what ifs, questions, and general unknowns, I am pleased to be back in the classroom and back with students. The year and a half of Covid-19 was certainly hard on everyone including and especially educators and students, but during this time I have had a lot of time to consider the next move in what to pursue for college education and students. I am pleased to announce here on the website the next phase I have chosen for my career and for students and collegiate music education; original concert band composition.
This has been something I have been wanting to do for a long time, but until now have not had the proper chances. After exploring sounds and instrument combinations that intrigue me, I began with arrangements of popular video game music for our concert band pops concert this past academic year. I am now pleased to announce the next project I am undertaking: The Pillars of Creation: a cosmic odyssey.
This has been something I have been wanting to do for a long time, but until now have not had the proper chances. After exploring sounds and instrument combinations that intrigue me, I began with arrangements of popular video game music for our concert band pops concert this past academic year. I am now pleased to announce the next project I am undertaking: The Pillars of Creation: a cosmic odyssey.
The Pillars of Creation are a collection of gas clouds and dust resembling the pillars of ancient architecture. As they appear, they are in the process of creating new stars. I drew my inspiration from this and wanted to base each movement on how the creation of those stars can be portrayed musically. The video above is a sample of the composition as it stands. This first movement, "Dawning of the Eagle Nebula," utilizes simple melodies with small chamber instrument groupings, slowly building through dissonant harmonies into a full-scale symphonic band fanfare. These melodies gradually build toward a larger formation as a whole ensemble, moving their way through dissonant harmonies into a glorious resolution symbolizing the ultimate cosmic creation: the star. It ends with another chamber group representing the star at its birth. However, unlike the opening - which is uncertain and dark - it concludes as a hymn-like arrangement as the gas clouds and dust settles into a new light in the cosmos.
This movement was written with the intent of it being able to be performed as a stand alone fanfare, or as a part of the symphony in its entirety.
Please contact me for performance inquiries.
This movement was written with the intent of it being able to be performed as a stand alone fanfare, or as a part of the symphony in its entirety.
Please contact me for performance inquiries.
