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Summer 2022
This will be a busy summer for me. In July, I will be performing at the McCall Music Festival in McCall, Idaho. We will be performing major standard repertoire such as Gustav Holst's The Planets. Later in the summer, I will be performing at the National Flute Association Convention and the International Double Reed Society Convention with the Pan Pacific Ensemble. Then, in late August, I will be adjudicating the International Horn Competition of America's University Division and giving a horn, tuba, and piano trio recitals at the University of Alabama, Columbus State University, and the University of Georgia.
Back to Normal!?
2020-2021 has been trying and very different than normal, with so many performances being cancelled as the world dealt with a global pandemic. I am hopeful about the potential for performances to start back again in the Fall of 2021. I have a faculty recital at WSU on Sept. 3, 2021 and some other performances coming up that I am excited to announce soon.
Summer Plans
I have a big summer planned in Washington. At the end of May, I am performing Shostakovich Symphony No. 7 with the Mid Columbia Symphony. I'm thrilled to get a chance to play principal horn on this monumental work. In mid-June, I am performing the Siegfried Idyll at the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival. This will be a great experience with musicians from across the country. From June 23-28, the third annual WSU Horn Camp is happening at WSU. I'm really excited to share this great event with young horn players from around the state!
Busy Spring
The semester has ended after a VERY busy spring. I performed with the Mid Columbia, Washington Idaho, and Spokane Symphonies. The Pan Pacific Ensemble did a tour of the East Coast, with concerts at the University of Maryland, James Madison University, and the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. JMU is my alma mater, so that performance was especially meaningful to me. In addition, I attended and performed at the Northwest and Southeast Horn Symposia. It was great to reconnect with colleagues that I haven't seen in quite some time.
Pines of Rome with the Mid-Columbia Symphony
I have had a busy performing schedule this fall with a faculty solo recital, brass quintet recital, performance with the Solstice Quintet at CMS Vancouver, and a number of orchestra performances. This weekend I will be playing Pines of Rome with the Mid-Columbia Symphony in the Tri-Cities. I absolutely love this piece, and playing principal horn on it is both challenging and extremely rewarding. Before I do that, I will be conducing the South Eastern Washington Middle School Mass Band in Asotin, WA. I've never done something exactly like this, so I'm very excited.
50th Annual International Horn Symposium
I just returned to Pullman after an amazing week at IHS 50. Thank you so much to Gene Berger and Ball State University for hosting such an incredible event. I heard incredible performances from Josh Williams, Frank Lloyd, Leelanee Sterrett, Denise Tryon, Karl Pittuck, and others. I heard an incredible lecture by Froydis Ree Wekre. I played some incredible horns and got to meet Ricco Kuehn himself. I also had the opportunity to perform The Confessions of St. Augustine on a contributing artist's recital and give a lecture on new music. I also got to judge the horn quartet and horn ensemble competitions. It was an incredibly productive week, and I'm so glad I was able to attend!
WSU Horn Camp Coming Up!
The second WSU Horn Camp is coming up from June 24-29 2018. I am so excited to welcome 11 student to the WSU campus in Pullman. Students will perform in quartets and a horn ensemble, work on their solo playing, and spend a great week on the campus of WSU. The camp is held every year the last week of July. If you are interested in more information, please check out this link: https://music.wsu.edu/area-information/brass-percussion/wsu-horn-camp/
Busy Schedule at Northwest Horn Symposium 2018
The 2018 Northwest Horn Symposium was held at Pacific Lutheran University. My students and I had a wonderful time hearing performances from Lelanee Sterrett, Bernhard Scully, and the Seattle Symphony Horns. The WSU Horn Ensemble performed with the University of Idaho Horn Ensemble and enjoyed sharing our music with the conference. I had a very busy weekend as well. I performed Jan Bach's Four 2-Bit Contraptions for Horn and Flute with my colleague, Dr. Sophia Tegart. I gave a talk about performing new music on horn. Also, I had the privilege of conducting the massed horn ensemble, made up of 50 conference attendees. Thank you Dr. Gina Gillie and the Northwest Horn Society for an amazing event!
Busy Orchestra Schedule
The fall 2017 semester is half over, and I have already had the opportunity to perform with three excellent orchestras. I have played Brahms 3 and Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 2 with Rajung Yang and the Washington Idaho Symphony, Brahms 1 and the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Walla Walla Symphony, and Beethoven 6 and Mark O'Connor's Double Violin Concerto with Mark and Maggie O'Connor and the Mid Columbia Symphony. It has been a busy few weeks, but I have cherished the opportunity to perform the monumental works. Thanks to the wonderful orchestras, and I am looking forward to the upcoming concerts!!
Pan pacific ensmble performance at the ticf
I just returned from a wonderful trip to the Thailand International Composition Festival with the Pan Pacific Ensemble. I had a great time meeting and collaborating with composers such as Chaipruk Mekara, Yii Kah Hoe, Tanapon Chiwinpiti, Narong Prangcharoen, Ingrid Stolzel, and Nick Omiccioli. I had never been to Thailand before, and it was a wonderful experience. Thanks to the Mahidol Conservatory and Narong Prangcharoen for being such wonderful hosts.
Glass Bead Game with the WSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble
This week I will be performing the first movement of Jim Beckel's Glass Bead Game with the WSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble. This is an amazing new concerto, and it has been a joy to prepare. A huge thanks to Dr. Danh Pham for inviting me to perform as well as the students in the Wind Ensemble who have done a wonderful job of preparing this work. The concert is Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8 pm in Bryan Hall Theater.
First Pan-Pacific Ensemble CD Recording Done
After a long week of over 30 hours in the studio, the first Pan-Pacific Ensemble CD is in the can. This was a huge undertaking, and I could not be more proud of the hard work that my colleagues put into this project. We hope that the CD will be published this summer. Stay tuned for more information!
Solitary Freedom Released
My first solo CD, Solitary Freedom, is now available online. You can find it on Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon. In addition, each individual track can be found on Youtube. I am so excited to have this CD out, and I hope you enjoy it!! Physical CDs will soon be available at this website.
Faculty Artist Series Recital
Last night was my second Faculty Artist Series recital here at WSU. I always enjoy performing for my colleagues, my students, and the Pullman community! In this recital, I performed pieces that are/were frequently played by some of my all time favorite horn players. Dennis Brain, Barry Tuckwell, Michael Thompson, and Richard Watkins have all had a major influence on my playing, even though I have never met any of them. I performed Persichetti's Parable for Horn, Gounod's Six Melodies, Rosetti's D minor Concerto, and my own transcription of Marais' Five Old French Dances.
Follow-up on Asia Trip
I had an amazing experience in Southeast Asia! In Vietnam, I was a soloist with the Saigon Wind Ensemble. I performed Pele by Brian Balmages. This was a wonderful experience working with some great musicians from Ho Chi Minh City. While in Vietnam, I also took multiple tours, ate some amazing food, and shopped in the Ben Thanh Market. In China, I was part of the debut performances of the brand-new Pan-Pacific Ensemble. We are a new music ensemble that specializes in performing the work of composers from around the Pacific Rim. I was very busy in China. After rehearsing and performing with the Guangxi Symphony at the opening of the China-ASEAN Music Week, I performed two concerts in three days with the Pan-Pacific Ensemble. We got to meet and work with wonderful composers such as Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Narong Prangcharoen, and Yii Kah Hoe. The Pan-Pacific Ensemble is actively planning what comes next for us, so stay tuned!! A huge thanks to Keri McCarthy and Danh Pham for extending these wonderful opportunities to me.
Performances in Southeast Asia
Over the next several weeks, I will be performing in China and Vietnam in a variety of capacities. In Vietnam, I will be soloing with my colleague, Danh Pham's, Winds and Percussion institute at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory. In China, I will be performing with the Solstice Woodwind Quintet in the China ASEAN Music Week, which is a conference for Southeast Asian composers. In addition, I will be performing with the Guang Xi and Turkish Chamber Orchestras. I am thrilled about these opportunities. Check out my twitter account for daily pictures!
Graduation Weekend
This weekend I will be graduating with my DMA from the University of Alabama. I have had an amazing 4 years on campus at Bama. This past year I have been working at WSU while finishing my DMA research. Choosing Alabama was one of the best decisions I have ever made for my career, and I am so thankful for Skip Snead and all my wonderful professors. Their investment in me is the reason that I am where I am today.
Northwest Horn Symposium
Jeff Snedeker hosted a wonderful horn workshop at Central Washington University this past weekend. The featured artists were Gail Williams, Paul Basler, and Lowell Shaw. It was amazing to spend time around these and all the other wonderful musicians at the workshop. In addition, I had a busy weekend. I gave a presentation on creative use of Kopprasch book 1, I performed Erika Raum's The Confessions of St. Augustine, and I judged the mock orchestral auditions. Thanks to everyone who made this concert so wonderful!
Yakima Symphony Orchestra
I had a great time this past weekend performing with the Yakima Symphony for the first time. The program was comprised of musical representations of Shakespeare's The Tempest by Paine, Sibelius, and Tchaikovsky. This was a wonderful concert in one of the most beautiful places I have been. Thanks to Jeff Snedeker and Maestro Golan for such a wonderful experience.
Debut Solo Recital
Tonight is my first solo recital as a faculty member at WSU! I can't say how excited I am to give my first recital at Bryan Hall Theater. I will be performing works by Gliere, Raum, Neuling, Bozza, and Wilder. Joining me will be Dr. Karen Savage on piano and Dr. Chris Dickey on tuba. The concert is at 8, and admission is $10 for adults and free with a WSU ID.
Quintet Recitals
I have my first full recitals with the WSU Faculty Brass and Faculty Woodwind Quintets this week. The Brass Quintet plays on Tuesday and the Solstice Wind Quintet plays on Friday. Both recitals are at 8 in Bryan Hall Theater. I would love to see you there!
Happy New Year!!
I am looking forward to a wonderful new year of horn playing and teaching. I performed in the Washington Idaho Symphony Christmas Concerts and the WSU Fall Commencement before leaving for the holidays. I am excited for an action-packed 2016, including a solo recital, a brass quintet and a woodwind quintet recital, and a trip to China just to name a few.
Walla Walla Symphony
On Tuesday, Nov. 17 I will play third horn with the Walla Walla Symphony. We are playing La Gazza Ladra Overture, Elgar Cello Concerto, and Beethoven 5. This will be a wonderful concert with an amazing orchestra. Please come and listen if you are in Eastern Washington.
Spokane Symphony
On Saturday, Nov. 14 I performed for the first time with the Spokane Symphony. This was a wonderful opportunity to play with an amazing orchestra in the Northwest. The concert was a tribute to the Boston Pops featuring music such as Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Mambo from West Side Story, music from Star Wars, and Stravinsky's Firebird.
DMA Lecture at the University of Alabama
On Monday Nov. 26 I gave a lecture at the University of Alabama. The title was Kopprasch Book 1: A Book for All Seasons. In the lecture I discussed how this basic, widely used book can be used to address multiple aspects of playing. It is the one book that I carry with me everywhere I go, and I gave the attendees new ideas on how to use this standard text.
Performances with Walla Walla and Washington Idaho Symphonies
I have had the opportunity to perform with the Walla Walla and Washington Idaho Symphonies in the past two weeks. It was great to perform with so many of my new colleagues! There is some fantastic music making going on in Eastern Washington!
Faculty Brass Quintet on Dave Turnbull's Recital
The WSU faculty brass quintet gave our first public performance of the year on the second half of Dave Turnbull's recital. We performed Escape by Kevin McKee and Fire Suite by Noah Taylor. Both pieces are new compositions that effectively feature the entire quintet and would work well for advanced student ensembles. It has been great getting to work with these amazing players.
Music from the Palouse
Each year, the Auditorium Chamber Music Series at the University of Idaho combines players from the U of I and WSU to perform wind chamber music. This year we played Stravinsky's Piano Concerto, Wagner's Siegfried's Idyll, Gounod's Petite Symphony, and Dukas' Fanfare from La Peri. This was an amazing opportunity to play with some of my new colleagues for the very first time. Thanks to all the donors and Leonard Garrison for making this event possible.
Performance Trip to Lincoln and Tuscaloosa
I just returned to Pullman from a trip to Lincoln, Nebraska and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I performed in the professional division of the International Horn Competition of America in Lincoln. It was amazing to play in a recital setting for judges such as Thomas Jostlein, Todd Bowermaster, and Martin Hackleman. I had a great time meeting the other professional performers from around the country. In Tuscaloosa I gave my final D.M.A. recital. It was good to be back at Alabama for a few days and interact with the students and observe some lessons.
New Job at Washington State University
I am so honored to announce that I have accepted a position at Washington State University for this upcoming year. I will be a Clinical Assistant Professor of Horn and Music Education. I have had such a great four years in Tuscaloosa, but my family and I are excited for this new challenge. I am looking forward to my teaching duties at the University and some new performing opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. Be sure to check this website and my social media for updates.
Vestavia Hills Baptist Church Shepard Scholarship Concert
This is the third time I have played on this great concert at Vestavia Baptist. The Shepard Scholarship provides education funding for local college students in return for helping with and singing in the Vestavia Baptist choir. This year, the concert celebrated the 150th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War. Local music legend Bobby Horton shared music and stories from the Civil War. Horton is an expert in music from this era, having recorded the soundtrack for Ken Burns' epic documentary The Civil War. The second half of the concert featured Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait," Narrated by Tony Giles. Giles is know throughout the region as the "Voice of the Tide." He is the PA announcer for many University of Alabama sports, including Football and Basketball. I always enjoy playing for Terre Johnson and his wonderful church music program at Vestavia Hills Baptist.
Gadsden Symphony orchestra with Three on a String
April 29th was a fun night in Gadsden, AL. The symphony was joined by the folk/comedy ensemble Three on a String. It was fun sharing the stage with these amazing entertainers who will be celebrating their 45th anniversary next year. Thanks to everyone involved for this great musical experience.
Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra Program Notes
I was recently contracted to write program notes for the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra for their concert on May 11. This was a tremendous honor for me, and I enjoyed researching and writing about the upcoming program of all music of Russian Composers. For more information on the TSO, check out their Facebook page. For tickets, go to their website. Having both played with and listened to this orchestra, I can say their concerts are always well worth your time.
Clinic for The Studio/Bibb County Concert Series
On April 11, 2015, I was invited to give a clinic on the basics of brass playing for The Studio in Centerville, AL. The Studio is an independent, non-profit music education organization that seeks to "provide artistic education and opportunity for students to develop their God-given creativity through the arts." I had a great time presenting the clinic and then playing with the Alabama horn ensemble as we performed a concert as part of the Bibb County Concert Series. A big thanks to Dr. John Waits, a local physician and graduate of the Alabama horn studio for coordinating this event and for all that he does to elevate music education in rural Alabama. For more information about The Studio, check out their Facebook page.
Easter Sunday at FUMC Columbus, MS
This Sunday I will be playing for the Easter Service at First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Mississippi. I have played at this church before, and I have always enjoyed working with the choir and the music director. One of the great things about being a brass player is getting to celebrate Easter in so many different locations.
Easter Pageant at the Bama Theater
I had a great time playing horn for the First Baptist Tuscaloosa Easter Pageant on Sunday, March 29 at the historic Bama Theater. The theater is a huge, old, beautifully decorated building in downtown Tuscaloosa. The music was reminiscent of a Broadway musical, and the performances by all of the church members were very well done. If you have never been to the Bama Theater, I strongly encourage you to go to see a musical or any of the other special events they host.
Chronicles of Blue and Grey
On March 28, I will participate in a very unique concert. The Columbus Pilgrimage is a celebration of history and culture in Columbus from March 26-28. As part of this celebration, members of the Starkville Symphony will be joining a mass choir led by the Columbus Choral Society in performing Chronicles of Blue and Gray by John Purifoy. The work features texts by Francis Miles Finch and provides a variety of perspectives on the Civil War. Here are program notes for this work. The concert is at 8 p.m. at Rent Auditorium on the campus of Mississippi University for Women.
Starkville Symphony Season Finale Concert
The Starkville Symphony will perform its season finale concert on March 21 at Lee Auditorium on the campus of Mississippi State University. The program will consist of Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien, Overture to La Gazza Ladra, the Grand March from Aida, and a collection of soprano arias from Puccini and Donizetti. Admission is free.
2015 Southeast Horn Workshop
I just returned from a great weekend at the Southeast Horn Workshop at LSU. I performed The Confessions of St. Augustine by Erika Raum for Solo Horn. I also participated in the premier of "My Way, And Now. . ." for two horns, piano, organ, electric guitar, and electronics by Amir Zaheri. I had the privilege of performing this premier with Charles "Skip" Snead, Amir Zaheri, Michael Wilk, and Tom Wolfe.