Woodwind - Bass Clarinet - Clarinet

Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet and Bassoon

Drift was written for the TIMBER Reed Quintet at the Ohio State University. Upon attending rehearsals and listening to the dynamic of the group, I was fascinated with the way the five instruments blended their sound together and the vast array of timbres that could emerge from the various combinations. This sparked my vision to create a piece that would highlight these abilities. Drift makes use of rhythmic ambiguity and uses a Jazz influence to create a musical idea of drifting along. 

Forest Sounds was composed in 2013 as a commission for the Inspirare Duo, clarinetist Gail Zugger and flutist Lisa Jelle and premiered by them in October of that year. The piece is one movement, divided into four sections, each focusing on a concept of sound within a forest. The first section is bird calls, featuring the robin and cardinal. Section two introduces waterfowl with conversations between the sandpiper, mallard duck, and loon. Section three features the small critters: squirrel, chipmunk and rabbit scurrying about on the forest floor. The final section is a portrait of all the animals on a sunny summer day enjoying a multitude of simultaneous conversations. Tempo markings and alterations should be viewed as guides. The performers should feel free to allow the music to push and pull as they wish. Enjoy! Learn More

6 Bb Clarinets, Bass Clarinet, Contralto Clarinet and Contrabass Clarinet

Micah Ahern lived 7 courageous, hard-fought years with Neuroblastoma, a deadly form of cancer that attacks children. I had the privilege of knowing sweet little Micah where he was a student at Ditto Elementary School in Arlington Texas, where I am the school librarian.

He lost his battle July 28, 2016; he spent every day living his life to the fullest and was especially fond of baseball. Micah become an honorary member of the Texas Christian University (TCU) baseball team the last 3 years of his life, and even attended one of their playoff games in the College World Series shortly before he died. Micah's zest for life had a tremendous positive effect on everyone that he knew. He is loved and missed by many.

100% of the proceeds of this work will be donated to the Superhero Micah Foundation and additional donations can be made here:

https://superheromicah.wordpress.com