I'm delighted to finally release this audio from a session with two of the commissioners, Anna Petrenko and Lindsay Myers. I've spent a dreadful amount of time staring at Finale and Word recently, so it was particularly refreshing to reminisce about this very collaborative project. This piece simply could not have existed without Bill Ryan and … Continue reading wicked problems

This weekend, I finally released the recordings of my collection of songs, Waiting for Niko. The four tracks were composed, arranged, rehearsed, performed, and recorded for my senior project at Grand Valley State. The works are particularly meaningful to me because of the countless hours that my very musical friends Ryan, Liz, Nic, and Gabe put … Continue reading Waiting for Niko

I'm very excited that several excellent performers from Grand Valley are premiering works by me this semester, and I hope you'll join me if you're nearby: March 4th: Anna Petrenko and Lindsay Myers premiere my "Wicked Problems" for saxophones and tape on a recital at the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 5 Conference at Indiana University-Purdue … Continue reading 2017 Winter Performances

Hello all, Many new works by me and commissioned by my tuba quartet will be performed and live-streamed in the coming month. I would be honored if you lent an ear (and thank you to my dear friends for playing these pieces!) All department streaming is available at http://www.gvsu.edu/music/live-stream-283.htm Friday, Nov. 4th at 5pm, SVS Recital Hall: … Continue reading Premieres Premieres Premieres! Sunday Sunday Sunday!

Two days ago, my band, the Lake Effects, launched a pre-order/funding campaign for our new album, titled "Ioway." It will be the band's first full LP and marks one of my most significant achievements as a composer and performer. We're incredibly grateful that we've already received extensive support from our friends, families, and peers--we're almost 25% of … Continue reading The Lake Effects Kick off our Album-Funding Campaign for “Ioway”!

My saxophone quartet (SATB), "In Search of a Beer Mug," was premiered by the Donald Sinta Quartet as a runner-up in their student competition composition. A recording from the premiere at Kerrytown Concert House has surfaced, and I'm glad to share it with you. About the piece: "In Search of a Beer Mug" was first … Continue reading “In Search of a Beer Mug” DSQ recording

It is with much delight that I write, from the road, that the Grand Valley State New Music Ensemble's 2016 National Parks tour is underway. We will be visiting 4 National Parks--Badlands, Wind Cave, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton, beginning with two Badlands concerts on July 1st and 2nd (Friday and Saturday). The repertoire includes eight new … Continue reading “Canvas the Bear” in Four National Parks