Brass - Euphonium

EEEETTTT; Inspired by the works of John Adams and his self-described 'post-minimalist' style, "Evolutions" was a major experiment for me as a composer. I had never attempted anything in this style before, and was a little unsure of where to even begin. Using common elements of minimalism and post-minimalism, I attempted to create my own version of the "organic aural evolution" that I found so fascinating with the works of Adams (and others)—to create my own aural daydream.

A three-note repeating pattern acts a sort of "musical DNA" from which the rest of the piece grows, while remaining a constant thread of connection through the various sections.

with Piano; Commissioned by the International Women's Brass Conference, 2014; Playable on Trombone or Euphonium.  Bass clef and treble clef solo parts provided.

2017 The Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival Competition Music

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The idea for this work attempts to recreate the spirit of an individual who is looking for treasures and is willing to go anywhere for the thrill of the adventure. The music begins with the start of the journey and the uneasiness that comes with not knowing what dangers lie ahead. Everything progresses until we reach the destination and begin the search for what has brought the adventurer to this place. The search continues until our adventurer make a false move and sets off a trap that ensnares them with what seems like no hope of escape. Finding the courage to not become part of the history of the location, our adventurer searches for and finds a way out and begins their escape. The escape leads to many dangers and traps that try to stop our brave adventurer. The music builds into a frenzy and abruptly halts into a moment of unsure feelings, making the listener wonder if the adventurer made it out alive. The work concludes by allowing the adventurer to escape and to leave, reflecting on the decisions to go on this treasure hunt. The question is…did they go away empty handed? Learn More

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A single thought can become an emotional full circle…

This song begins with a simple musical idea and an underlying motif of doubt. As the music progress, the beginning of an inner turmoil and darkness begins to unfold as the simple melody continues. A final thought of happiness tries to penetrate through the darkness, but it has become too late.  Suddenly, a frantic feeling begins to creep into the once singular idea and begins a transformation into a twisted set of emotions that continually morphs the beginning melody into many different variations.  The battle of emotions continues until eventually the music is able to fight its way back to the original simple melody, but with its original moment of doubt. 

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This short work is intended to describe the emotions of going on an airplane ride. The beginning of the piece describes the excitement of taking off from the runway and the start of the flight. The middle section looks for the joys of seeing the sky from your seat and knowing that you have become one with the clouds. The feelings of going in for the landing and being back on the ground bring the piece to its exciting conclusion. Learn More

For tuba ensemble (EEETT or EETTT) or movements 2 and 3 can be paired together and played by a tuba quartet (EETT)

1. Shadows 
2. Lament 
3. Mr./Ms. Right

Commissioned and sound file provided by by Dr. Gail Robertson and the University of Central Arkansas Tuba-Euphonium Krewe:

http://www.gailrobertson.com