Concert Band
Godspeed, My Friend (2026)
Selection for Concert Band - $65.00
Difficulty Level - 2.0 -2.5
Godspeed, My Friend was commissioned by the East Troy, WI Middle School Concert Band - Joseph Arendt, Director. It is dedicated to the memory and honor of Dave Banks (1969-2024) beloved musician, husband, father and friend. Written in the ABA form, Godspeed, My Friend begins with a reflective opening introducing a four note motif. This motif will be mentioned all throughout the piece as melodic material as well as the accompaniment. The A section returns in the major mode to give us all hope and the triumphant ending signifies Dave's successful transition into glory.
New Joy (2025)
Selection for Concert Band - $65.00
Difficulty Level - 3.0
Joy, happiness, pleasure, and delight are the exact feelings I experience in my new role as grandpa. I set out to capture these feelings in my latest composition, New Joy, using the lilting 6/8 meter for the basis of a melody I derived from listening to my grandson hum as he played with his toys. The rhythm attempts to match his boundless energy and exuberance for life. Theres nothing like seeing life through the eyes of a child, and with each additional grandchild, the joy is multiplied.
Our Land (This Land is your Land) (2022)
Selection for Concert Band - $60.00
Difficulty Level - Grade 3.5 - 4.0 Length: 3:50
Our Land (This Land is your Land) was written to explore variations both in meter signature and melody. The composition begins with a traditional trumpet fanfare leading into an energetic opening. After a hint of the melody, the piece moves into a multi-meter development of melodic motifs. The middle section is slower and portrays some of the growing pains our country has gone through. You hear dialogue between different instruments, questions and arguments leading into a quiet statement of the main melody. The bombastic ending will have the audience clapping right along to this famous patriotic melody.
Saginaw Legacy Concert Band 5/5/24
Fire Trail (2021)
Selection for Concert Band - $ 45.00
Difficulty Level - Grade 2.0 Length: 1:45
Fire Trail is an upbeat and adventurous piece for young band. The title comes from an intense hiking path in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains of the same name.
Written in an ABA form, the piece begins with an energetic melody and a syncopated rhythmic drive that continues throughout the piece. The middle section settles into a more relaxed, lengthened melody, but the ever-present rhythmic drive builds to a modulated recapitulation of the main theme as an exciting conclusion to the piece.
Saddle Up (2020)
Selection for Concert Band - $ 55.00
Difficulty Level - Grade 2.5 Length: 3:35
Saddle Up depicts the life of a cowboy driving a herd of cattle across the western plains. Inspired by the music of Aaron Copland, the piece is written in ABA form. The optimistic beginning features an energetic melody which depicts the rugged terrain and its unevenness.
Transitioning to a peaceful campfire scene, the woodwinds and brass exchange a flowing melodic waltz. A triumphant restatement of the opening melody brings the piece to a resonating end, completing another successful drive.
Chesaning MI 8th Grade Concert Band, Spring 2020
Jackson College Band Camp performance 7/3//2024
