Tuba and Piano

with Piano

In the keys of Eb major and C minor, which are very friendly to the BBb Tuba, this is a fun piece for an emerging tuba player.  It was written for a 6th grade tuba student who is also a very good basketball player and also loves riding horses in rodeos.  She does everything with "Intensity" thus the title.

with Piano

This work was commissioned by Timothy Northcut in honor of Winston Morris, professor of tuba and euphonium at Tennessee Tech University since 1967. Among many others, his former students—both Tim and I included—call him a mentor, friend, and genuine hero to the tuba-euphonium world. Anyone who’s met Winston knows that he’s a larger-than-life character, and our goal was to capture a snapshot of that character within the piece.

The first movement, RWM, is constructed from a rhythmic motive that forms the basis of the entire work: 1/4 note followed by 4 1/8 notes

This motive, based on the name ‘R. Winston Morris’, becomes the driving force throughout the work, acting as a musical anchor point. The entrance of the solo tuba introduces the main musical theme that goes on to form much of the melodic material. Conceptually, the first movement represents a day in September of 1967 as Morris began his career at Tennessee Tech University. Beginning with a gentle, noble theme, the mood quickly builds and shifts into an energetic and sometimes whimsical whirlwind. The end of the movement relentlessly hammers out the motive—a tribute to Winston’s unrelenting musical drive. This abruptly shifts with the final note, moving seamlessly into the second movement.

The second movement, Sweet Steel, is dedicated in loving memory to Barbara “Bobbie” Morris. Although the tone is very dark and brooding, it’s ultimately a love song by the soloist, journeying through the stages of grief. From the darkness a second theme, hopeful and uplifting, rises to a heartfelt climax.

The final movement, Cookevegas, is a tongue-in-cheek reference to Cookeville, TN, home of Winston and Tennessee Tech University. His love of jazz is a major influence on this hectic, jazzy trip through the small Southern city. A return of the driving ‘RWM’ motive from the first movement brings the concerto to its finale.

Recording is from the premiere with the U.S. Army Band:

https://www.usarmyband.com/tuba/index.html

with Piano

While the piece is in three movements (fast-slow-fast), calling it “traditional” does not seem entirely appropriate. Rather, it adapts received forms and structures with a more adventurous harmonic approach and a greater use of dissonance in individual lines.

with Piano

commissioned by Sérgio Carolino

with Piano

This suite contains four movements that describe the special characteristics of a year’s four seasons. After reading poetry about nature and the changing seasons, the composer brought the poems to life through her music.

I. Autumn: The long and lyrical melody played by the soloist is accompanied by a repeated pattern from the piano. This symbolizes the dropping and rustling of the leaves from the wind in autumn. 

II. Winter: The intense and fast passages, played by both the soloist and pianist, depict a fierce wind sweeping in the cold winter.

III. Spring: A warm, relaxing melody on top of a pastoral rhythmic pattern proclaims a new season is arriving. In the middle section of this movement, both players imitate singing birds. Although the melody is soft and warm, we can hear contrasting emotional changes that reflect the unstable weather in spring time. 

IV. Summer: Passion, energy, and activity are all prevalent in summer. The composer uses a tango style to portray these concepts. The second main melody gives the image of a fireworks show in the summer night.  

with Piano and in three movements.

A nice challange for any aspiting college tuba player!

with Piano:

In early 2017, Dr. Chris Combest approached me about writing a new piece for tuba and piano to be premiered at the 2018 U.S. Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Workshop, where Chris had been invited to perform as a guest soloist. As Chris and I discussed the different directions this new piece could take, one idea swiftly broke away from the pack and excited both of us very much. 

"Onwards and upwards" is a favorite saying of Dr. Jerry Young, longtime professor of music at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he taught tuba and euphonium, among other things, from 1983 until 2016. In addition to being a friend and mentor to generations of low brass players, Jerry has enjoyed a multifaceted career as a soloist, clinician, lecturer, adjudicator, and additionally served as President of the International Tuba Euphonium Association (ITEA) and as Editor in Chief of the ITEA Journal. Chris expressed a desire to dedicate a new piece to Jerry, one that embodied the energy and optimism of this revered pedagogue and his "onwards and upwards" mantra. Over the course of his remarkable career, Jerry has been a profound influence on so many tuba players, and it is my absolute privilege to dedicate this new work to Dr. Jerry Young. Onwards and upwards!

Commissioners include: