On Wednesday, November 6, I went back to my old junior high in the Chicago suburbs for the premier of my newest band piece, Gateway Overture. Blackhawk Middle School (Bensenville, IL) and director Mr. William Winters commissioned the piece, which included some video chats with the students in order to get to know them and the kind of piece that would most interest them. I took suggestions, listened to pieces they previously enjoyed playing, and based most of my musical decisions off of their feedback. It…

My newest band piece Gateway Overture will be premiered on November 6th at Blackhawk Middle School in Bensenville, IL. Commissioned by Blackhawk and director of bands Mr. William Winters, this piece is the culmination of several months of planning, discussion, and video chats with students (and a lot of learning on my part on writing for younger band!).

The title of the piece comes from Bensenville's motto, "Gateway to Opportunity." I'm so grateful for this opportunity, not only to write a new piece for…

For those of you who like the convenience of downloading and printing sheet music, I have several selections from my catalog available on Sheet Music Plus. 

What all is available here? I'm glad you asked! 

Choral Music 
I Lay My Sins on Jesus (SATB and Piano)
If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking (SATB a capella)
Love's Philosophy (SATB and Piano)
Now I Give Myself to Thee (SATB, Flute and Piano)
O, For a Closer Walk with God (SATB a capella)
Prayer of St. Gregory (SAB a capella)
Psalm of Praise (SATB, Trumpet,…

For my band director friends, I'd like to invite you to join my 2020 Band Consortium! I'm organizing this to commission a new work for Grade 3 band that will help kick off the start of a new decade. The piece will be energetic, exciting, and intended to symbolize looking ahead to the future with optimism and hope. In addition to the score and parts to the completed piece, I would be happy to interact with your ensemble via Skype/facetime to talk about the process of composing and why I decided to become a…