absolute music
Music designed for it's own sake
program music
Music designed to enhance other media
Paladino, URI Symphonic Wind Ensemble
This work was composed under the mentorship of Dr. Gene Pollart, Director of Bands at the University of Rhode Island. The piece title is the Italian word for "hero". The inspiration for the work came from the intensity of Beethoven's work, Eroica, Symphony No. 3.
Sonatina for Viola and Piano, movement 1
Composed for advanced players, this challenging movement explores modern scales, including the octatonic scale, developing an interesting middle eastern style. Each instrument has solo and virtuosic sections.
Sonatina for Viola and Piano, movement 2
This slow movement is very expressive, giving each instrument the opportunity to give voice to the melody.
Dover Beach, Soprano, Flute,
Clarinet, Violoncello, and Piano
The lyrics in this composition are based on Matthew Arnold's poem entitled "Dover Beach", written circa 1851. The poem's text reflects humanity's struggle between religious beliefs and scientific advancement. The range of emotions caused by this internal conflict are reflected in the piece’s construction and stylistic interpretation.
News Promotional Music Collage
These are custom music scores designed for news promotional use. They were each commisioned works. Some of the pieces were created as single-use promotions, and some were written as packages, creating uniform identities for clients.
TV Spot Music Score Collage
These samples were custom-scored for a range of clients, including Swarovski Crystal, Citizens Bank, Harris Methodist Health Plan, W.B. Mason, and Ross Simons Jewelers.
Pandora for Saxophone Quartet
Pandora is a rhythmic adventure which refuses to settle into any regular rhythmic patterns, or diatonic harmony, until the very end of the piece. It’s mood is unsettled, by use of atonal harmony and irregular rhythms, although the work does contain some positive, and emotionally moving sections. It’s composed for highly advanced players, as there are virtuosic sections in Pandora.
Clarinet Solo 1
This clarinet solo was designed using non-conventional scales, and explores a range of moods and textures, including some middle-eastern and European flavors. The piece has several virtuosic sections, and was composed for the highly advanced player.
The Spirit of Manchester for symphonic wind ensemble
This piece takes the listener on a journey through the composer's youth in the region called Manchester, in western Pennsylvania. It includes several mallet parts, including marimba, vibraphone, xylophone and orchestra bells. Grade 4.
Capriccio and Fantasy for string quintet and piano, movement 1
This piece was inspired by the musical techniques used by Steve Reich, a minimalist composer. During the 1st movement, the ostinato of the piano becomes the basis for a developing melodic journey which begins in the string section with a mysterious pizzicato, followed by an intense arco theme.
Capriccio and Fantasy for string quintet and piano, movement 2
The 2nd movement continues the mysterious feel, including more pizzicato, but in a much slower tempo. During this movement, the piano takes center stage, revealing the main theme during it’s solo sections.
A Celtic Blessing for symphonic wind ensemble
Taking inspiration from Percy Grainger’s piece, Irish Tune from County Derry, this work is a simple, heart-felt song, describing the subject’s love, and longing for home, “on the cliff by the sea.”