Featured Works
Black Dog
Clarinet Concerto
Black Dog is a rhapsody for solo clarinet and wind ensemble. The work is inspired by classic hard rock music, particularly Led Zeppelin’s rhapsodic-style song Black Dog. The clarinet solo takes the role of the lead singer in a hard rock band with its extreme range and emotions juxtaposed with the pyrotechnic solos in true “Hendrix” fashion. The rhapsody begins with a long solo cadenza which introduces most of the material in the work. The middle section is a very slow, upward, “Stairway to Heaven” gesture. The last section of Black Dog concludes with a “head-banging” ostinato pattern that leads to the final fiery cadenza.
Gone
Wind Symphony
Gone is about loss and the emotions and process of healing and learning to move on after a life-changing event. This unique composition challenges the musicians and the audience to experience the music in a meditative and prayerful way. My goal was to draw memories of loss and comfort for those who experience this composition.
AMP
Wind Symphony
By itself the title, AMP, could denote several different things. In this case it is actually an abbreviation for “amphetamines.” Amphetamines are substances taken to boost energy, mood and confidence, as well as to suppress appetite. AMP was written “in memory of Brian,” who was a much beloved, talented, and accomplished student of the composer who died of a drug overdose. AMP begins with a wall of chaos representing the climax of an addicted episode. Then the first statement of “Brian’s” theme is stated in the clarinets with a two-note motive emulating the two syllables in his name while small cluster chords emulate the constant temptation of addiction. In fact, every time this two-note theme is heard one can readily imagine the emotions behind them. The middle section uses a famous chord progression from Radiohead’s Creep, which was one of Brian’s favorite songs. The second chaotic episode occurs again which is followed by the return of the earlier driving section and leads to the fullest and loudest statement of Brian’s theme using the optional organ part with the full ensemble. The composition ends solemnly with the solo piano (which was Brian’s instrument) stating the theme in its most plain form. AMP was not written for Brian only, but also for “any others suffering from addiction.”
