Large Ensemble Works
Icarus and Daedalus for Dual Wielding Trombone Soloist
Solo Tenor and Bass Trombone and Chamber Orchestra
Commissioned by Soloist Jose Leonardo Leon in late 2022, this piece ties ancient myth with the rich, noble sound of the Tenor and Bass Trombone. Based on the myth of Icarus and his father, Daedalus, escaping the labyrinth with makeshift wings, this puts the soloist on both sides of the story with the use of not one but two Trombones. The piece's beginning explores the invigorating first moments of the flight. The part of Icarus is played on the Tenor Trombone and features acrobatics akin to the excitement of flying through the clouds. The soloist will display wild and fast passages as the young Icarus flies higher and higher. As this develops, the orchestra depicts the sun melting the wax off the wings as Icarus loses his battle with gravity. At this point, the piece changes perspectives, and the soloist switches to Bass Trombone to tell us the events seen by Daedalus. This section depicts Daedalus' deep mourning and regrets over losing his son to his invention. The last phrase is the memory of Icarus as it lives in Daedalus' mind for the rest of his days.
Saffron Sky
Brass Ensemble
(4 Tpt 2 Hn 3 Trb, Euph, Tba)
Saffron Sky is an evocative and dynamic piece that showcases the beauty of nature with a bold and vivid illustration of sunrise. The piece creates an impressionist painting within the musical form using bright splashes of brass across the spectrum of colors shown in nature as a medium. The piece starts evoking the image of a shore with light waves crashing. With its combination of bird calls and movement in nature, the piece will transport you to the sun rising above the horizon.
Over A New Horizon
Written in early 2022, Over a New Horizon is a fanfare march written for young performers. The piece is dedicated to the students at Braden River Middle School who started instruments before the pandemic shut down and continued to make music well after. The piece is a march of triumph over the impossible and demonstrates their energy and enthusiasm in overcoming obstacles. The BRMS band premiered the piece in May of 2022 with the composer conducting.
Turtle Beach March
A piece for a young concert band that only uses the first 6 notes! It reinforces the ideas of short notes and dynamics as well. Great for the first concert of the year!
Palma Sola Sunrise
Written in the summer of 2018, Palma Sola Sunrise was dedicated and premiered by the Electa Arcotte Lee Magnet Middle School band, Directors Alejandro Guardia, Jr. and Julia Weinstein. The piece describes the sun filling the sky with color over the beautiful Palma Sola Bay.
Knights Hymn
Commissioned by Keys Gate Charter High School, under the direction of Jessica Amores-Gennaro Diaz. Originally written as the school’s song in 2013, this version is a more symphonic treatment of the material and makes for a processional fanfare to start any ceremony.