Solo and Chamber Works
Shoreside Frolic
Brass Quintet
Written in Early 2022 Shoreside Frolic is a short march for Brass quintet. The piece is inspired by all the events and festivals that occur on the beaches of Sarasota (The Circus City). Lots of Multiple tonguing and the quick pace make this an exciting addition to any program.
Counterposition
Brass Quintet
Counterposition uses this polarity to demonstrate versatility in the performers and give the audience a rollercoaster ride in under 4 minutes. An excellent piece to close a recital!
Single Malt Fanfare
Brass Quintet
This Short Fanfare was written for Brass Quintet in early 2021. A noble theme features all the performers sandwiched by a powerful fanfare sure to get attention at your next ceremonial gig!
Mean Streets
Trombone Quartet
Commissioned by the Mercer University Townsend School of Music for the Trombone Quartet under the Direction of Hollie Lawing Pritchard This piece is inspired by my many wonderful interactions driving around the streets of Miami. The first part explores rushing to work through a crowded interstate. The second part is inspired by most of the posts I see on Instagram in the afternoon when people are stuck in traffic getting home and they see a particularly beautiful sky when the sun is setting. These photos are often accompanied with the Hashtag #sunsetappreciation. Finally, the third part explores driving around and having a bunch of motorcycles zoom by you and others.
Star-Spangled Banner
Trombone Quartet
The Star-Spangled Banner for Trombone Quartet. Commissioned by Mike Guzman for the Tuscaloosa County High School Trombone Ensemble.
Daily Affirmation
Unaccompanied Bass Tuba
The piece is made up of 3 movements exploring the following phrases:
"I am Passionate"
"I am Loved"
"I am Resilient"
The first movement, "I am passionate", explores the performers passions and how they are often met with obstacles. There are alternating moods showcasing the performer's excitement, hurdles, and triumphs in their journey.
The second movement is a reminder to both allow yourself to love and be loved. "I am loved" is an exploration on vulnerability in the performer and the tender melodies are attempts at allowing love into one's live.
The third movement "I am Resilient" demonstrates how we handle rough times. The movement is fairly difficult as it has very angular lines played at a fast tempo, putting both the audience and performer through some turbulence. Towards the end of the piece, the tables turn and the performer takes control and ends with a flourish that shows that their resilience and perseverance have guided them through troubled waters.
Drowning
Woodwind Quintet
Written in the fall of 2010, Drowning is inspired by the idea of a man drowning. It begins with a very active, even frantic theme shared in all the instruments, before a calm, peaceful ending as the man ceases to struggle.
Façade
Solo Bass Tuba and Piano
"Façade, as the name suggests, is a musical version of one theme covering up another theme. The two themes contradict each other and are very much opposites. The primary theme is very pompous and joyful, but in a very obnoxious way, almost as if it were showboating. The second theme is very dark and aggressive, showing that everything is not always what it seems on the outside and that there is something negative that was presented by the first theme. After the anger and rage subside, the primary theme returns to signify that it is another day and it is time once again to put on the mask and show how 'great' things are again."
Lament
Solo Bass Tuba and Piano
"The saying 'It is always darkest before the dawn' is the inspiration of this piece. The piece begins with the soloist playing the slow sorrowful melody as the piano pans a heavy chord progression. This progression is the basis of the theme and variations that follow. As the piece develops, the soloist and the accompaniment try to escape the distress and grief. Just as it seems as if there is no end to the suffering, the soloist pushes through the busy accompaniment and breaks free from the chains of its depression. The opening melody is now played in a major key in the upper register of the instrument, showing that a silver lining has been found, hope prevails and a new day has risen."
Excursions
Tuba-Euphonium Quartet
"Excursions is an adventure through rugged musical terrain for Tuba quartet. It is written in three movements. The first is a rocky and rugged Allegro that creates an uneven energetic path for the audience and performers to trek through. The second movement is very lush and introspective, reminiscent of sitting back and looking at the stars at night and reflecting on the life you are temporarily separated from. The third movement evokes the sensation of fleeing in panic. Overall, this piece shows off the ensemble's musical muscle with many passages that require a high level of control in dynamics, range and technicality, and is as much of an adventure for the performers as it is for the audience."
Song without Words
Tuba-Euphonium Quartet
"This is a piece about our journey to find the answers that will bring us inner and outer peace. It is a reflection on our determination to cure the problems that plague us and the rest of the world. The depth and swelling of the harmonies depict the weight of some of the decisions made and epiphanies discovered on our journey. The melodies show the strength we use and our perseverance that push us to fight to the very end. The journey ends very much like it begins, but our journey leaves us worn out and a little more resistant to go on until clarity is reached in our last few steps."
Escapades
Trombone Quartet
"Escapades was written as a companion piece to my tuba quartet Excursions. Very much like Excursions, Escapades uses energetic tempos and ostinati. Escapades dives into the smoother, more streamlined experience of city life." The three movements take the musicians on a journey through stop and go rush hour traffic (I. The Daily Grind), an afternoon lull at work leading to falling asleep on the job (II. Daydreaming) and the realization that work is done for the day and it's time to go home again (III. Quittin' Time!).
MONOLITH
"For many centuries, large stone figures have brought up more questions than answers about the life of the ancient times in which they were created. Monolith for bass trombone explores and in some cases fantasizes one of those theories. In the piece, the bass trombone represents the large mysterious figure and gives insight to what it has seen over its many centuries of standing watch." This piece was commissioned by and dedicated to Jose Leonardo Leon to be premiered at the 2013 National Trombone Week festival in Aguascalientes, Mexico. You can find a recording of it on Jose’s Album, Journey. Available through iTunes, Google Play, and other streaming services.
Solo with Trombone Quintet Accompaniment
Solo with Piano Accompaniment
Monolith - Fantasy for Bass Trombone/Contrabass Tuba and Orchestral Winds
The large ensemble companion to the Soloist and Trombone Quintet with five extra minutes of music.
Overtown Throwdown: SKR8 UP RUDE
Tuba-Euphonium Quartet
"Overtown Throwdown: Skr8 up Rude is a short piece written over the summer of 2011 for the Big Boys Tuba Quartet. The piece was written to create an opportunity for the ensemble to depart from the regular tuba-euphonium repertoire and play something with a little more swagger. A fusion of hip-hop and funk feel allows the performers to play in a more aggressive style and explore some of the more fun performance techniques that the tuba and euphonium have to offer. The piece features the first euphonium with an improvised solo in the middle where the lack of a complicated chord progression allows even the most classical of players to throw down some tasty licks."
Scherzo
Flute and Piano
"Stress is a constant part of everyone's lives. Finding peace and patience when stressed is a valuable virtue to have. In Scherzo, I play with the idea of chaos and beauty existing together. The chaotic life of a creative person can seen demanding at times, but creating something beautiful in the form of art makes the headaches and stress worth it at the end of the day. This piece recreates this with the piano bringing in wave upon wave of tension. Tight clusters of notes and alternating asymmetric time signatures create a tumultuous and uncomfortable setting for our flutist to try and create something of beauty..."
Mofongo Relleno
6 part Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble
Mofongo Relleno is South American dish that stuffs mashed Green Plantains with Chicken, Shrimp, Beef, or Vegetables. Mofongo Relleno lives up to its delicious namesake by infusing jazz and commercial elements and stuffing them into a 7/4 Latin Rock ostinato. The end result is a creative and exciting piece for Tuba Ensemble. The use of lip turns, doits, falls, and other fun tricks borrowed from the jazz and commercial styles allows your ensemble to really grab the audience’s attention and break out of the ensembles classical comfort zone. An improvised solo section based on the F minor pentatonic scale will showcase improvisational skills without too much Jazz theory knowledge. Mofongo Relleno was commissioned by the 2010-2011 University of South Florida Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble under the masterful tutelage of Jay Hunsberger.