I've included here pretty much all the 'classical' music that's been completed, even if not finally orchestrated, and several songs from the 'pop era'. The songs are MP3s since that's the only way to reproduce them digitally, but many of the 'classical' pieces are actually MIDI files, since these things have never been recorded by live musicians. Of course that means that the MIDI files will not play back the music exactly as it was intended. The notes are all there and, to a lesser degree, the dynamics, but articulations and even actual sounds, which are only sampled at best, won't sound the way I would ultimately like them to. Hopefully I will someday find groups that might be willing to record some if this, but until then, this is whatcha get. I hope you enjoy it all. And if you did not reach this page through the quintet web site, please visit us at www.blackdiamondbrass.com. Thanks for listening.
Classical    Pop

String Symphony (2006 [1999])

There is a bracketed year on this piece for a very good reason (though I can't remember what it is.) OK, I guess I do, sort of. Back about the time I had written the existing portion of my second String Quartet, I decided to experiment again with what I would consider a little more "contemporary" sound. I had nothing serious in mind and had no destination determined, I just wanted to see what would happen if I let the music flow. The result, while mostly completed at the time, was nevertheless simply thrown into the files and ignored. A year or two ago I rediscovered this piece and thought it had great potential for strings. With the latest music software I've been using (Notion) I not only had a great urge to complete it but to make plans to use it as the basis for a larger work. Hence, I present to you now the first (tentatively - yes I may decide to expand it) completed movement of a Symphony for String Orchestra.
String Symphony - I. Largo   [6.27, MP3-6.05MB]

Blues Town for Brass Quintet (2006)

We've had the distinct privilege of being guinea pigs for a composer friend (David Baptist) of the horn player in our quintet. The first piece he wrote for us, "Brass Noire", includes a rather jazzy section which is a nice contrast to the more traditional writing on either side of it. I found it personally inspiring and started throwing my own ideas into a mix of notes in a somewhat similar fashion.
I did not set out to write "program" music in this case and will not publicly acknowledge any sort of story line to the music. I am willing to admit, however, that the blues section is relevant to the title. I'll leave the rest up to your own imaginations.
Blues Town   [5:42, MP3-2.68MB]

Horny Happy Birthday (2006-for DB)

A horn trio Happy Birthday to our distant friend, David Baptist.
Horny Happy Birthday   [0:20, MP3-323KB]

Tribute (2006)

My father died at the end of September in 2006. For his memorial service I wanted to pay tribute to him as an accomplished musician and valiant soldier as well as a wonderful father. This piece was actually written to be played on his flugelhorn with muted bugle and organ accompaniment, but this particular rendition using two trumpets and strings seems to work just as well. I hope I can continue to honor him by making this music available to those who visit this site.
Tribute (to William Taylor)   [1:31, MP3-1.43MB]

Blue Moon Variations for Brass Quintet (2006)

I recently had the pleasure of sitting in with the Rainier Symphony for their Spring Pops Concerts. Unlike most pops productions, which usually consist of all manner of popular music performed exclusively by the orchestra with perhaps an occasional soloist or two, this one was entirely orchestral accompaniment to a husband-wife team known as the Bottom Line Duo, a name reflecting the fact that both their normal parts are found at the bottom of a score, string bass and 'cello. The two were outstanding and I thoroughly enjoyed playing with them. But, of course, tubas invariably don't have parts to play in all music, so I sat back and enjoyed those tunes for which I had tacits. One piece in particular grabbed my attention. It was the old Rogers and Hart song "Blue Moon". This wonderful duo took the tune and turned it around, hamming it up along the way, kind of the traditional variations when playing pop music. By the end of the second concert I began to consider the fun I might have writing some variations of my own for brass quintet.
As I got started that evening I began to realize just how many other tunes shared the same or similar harmonies and I perhaps got a little crazy with laying things on top of each other. In fact I had so many ideas I wanted to include that I had to begin whittling them down when I realized I was already at about six minutes to that point. So within a matter of just a couple days the piece was at least playable by the quintet and has now been (I expect) finally revised. I'm sure you will recognize many of the tunes other than Blue Moon, but lest I be remiss in my acknowledgements I'd like to pay my respects to the composers of the following music: Mr. Sandman, Gilligan's Island Theme, The Hornpipe, Heart and Soul, Scheherezade, Music of the Night from "Phantom of the Opera", An American in Paris, and On the Trail from the "Grand Canyon Suite". Have fun! I certainly did.
Blue Moon Variations   [6:39, MP3-2.34MB]

Expressions for Trombone and Piano (2006)

Don't ask me why I wrote this because I can't honestly tell you except to say I had the urge. It was just one of those days when the sound of trombone and piano happened to be haunting my head and so I started writing things down. The piece goes through several small-scale transitions in tempo and endeavors to make use of traditional harmonies with a little creative variation. The title "Expressions" was arrived at through a good deal of contemplation, since I really had no idea what sort of piece I was writing. Was this to be a sonata? A concertpiece? Should it be called something traditional? I finally began to picture the trombone sitting on the piano twisting its face into various expressions. Well, maybe "twisting" isn't quite the word, but then we are talking trombone here. There may be more to this piece in the near future.
Expressions for Trombone and Piano   [5:09, MP3-1.82MB]

Concertino for Tuba and Concert Band (2005)

It is pretty common for composers to write for the instruments they play or at least know the best. A plethora of music is written for piano, violin, 'cello, and various woodwinds. When you get to the brass instruments the quantity begins to drop off and certainly on the bottom of the ladder, in more ways than one, sits the tuba. But as a tubist myself, I have been moved to do a few things for the instrument, including the earlier Tuba Sonata. The Concertino for Tuba and Concert Band has been intended as my own performance venue, should the occasion arise, or for others playing in concert bands. The current scoring you will hear is more the sound of an orchestra than of a band, but it is not realistically intended for orchestra.
The piece is in a single continuous 'movement' divided into several sections: basically moderate, slow, fast, slow, fast. When I began writing I had wanted to produce something that was harmonically and melodically pleasing, but was also not terribly difficult to play, not only for me, but for anyone else, particularly younger people that might wish to take it on. I'll have to admit, though, there are a couple spots that might just require some work on the part of the soloist.
Concertino for Tuba and Concert Band   [7:26, MP3-2.62MB]

Woodwind Quintet (2005)

This is the first movement of a (possibly) five-movement piece for traditional woodwind quintet. When I was working on the string quartets I purchased a violin so I could have a better feel for the sound and limitations of the instrument. In this case, I had begun learning the flute and wanted to have some kind of ensemble work in which to play it, so I started writing this. It had no particular name and for all practical purposes, still doesn't, but this seems like as good a title for it as any at the moment. I think this is kind of a catchy, rollicking number, if a bit short. Sometimes short is sweet.
Woodwind Quintet - first movement   [1:25, MP3-667KB]

In Memoriam 911 (2001)

This piece was begun seven days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, and the short score was completed just four weeks later on October 26. Memorial contributions as a result of the tragic events of that day have been poured out almost universally since that time. I hope this music, however insignificant when compared to all other efforts, may at least become a part of the collection of works dedicated to human resitance and resiliency.
The music is divided into five distict parts. Part 1 begins and ends with the opening and closing bells of Wall Street, between which is the hustle and bustle of the everyday activities surrounding it. The first four notes of the repeating syncopated theme eventually become the cornerstone for the last part. In Part 2 the city falls asleep, the closing bell of the day immediately leading to the Nocturne. As the sun rises for the new day fragments of melody hint at the new business day awakening, unaware of the tragedy soon to emerge. Part 3 erupts out of the peaceful nocturne, the roar of drums and the dissonant blast of the full orchestra four times representing each of the individual and heinous acts. By the third attack, reality is beginning to set in as to what has occurred and by the end of this section it is apparent there must be time to reflect. The Hymn and Elegy of Part 4 leads prayers for the victims and allows that time necessary to begin the serious task of healing. At the close of the Elegy are horn calls to announce a new beginning. The last part, People of Resolve, is actually in itself, two distinct parts, a Moderato which recalls the four note theme from the first part, a refusal to let go of life as it has been and must be or to let any criminal act take control, followed by a March, derived from the Elegy's horn calls, leading all people of hope and honor to triumph over the actions of evil.
The parts are continuous from one to the next, but for this latest MP3 upload they have been separated. (The original MIDI version I had here, which was continuous, was too inconsistent and in some cases sounded downright not right.) To get the full effect, download all five parts and put them all on a playlist in your Media Player in performance order. (Download by right-clicking on the link and selecting "Save Target As".) You can, of course, play the piece one movement at a time by simply clicking each link.
Part 1: Wall Street   [2:05, MP3-1.97MB]
Part 2: Nocturne   [2:10, MP3-2.05MB]
Part 3: The Attacks   [1:44, MP3-1.64MB]
Part 4: Hymn and Elegy   [1:59, MP3-1.87MB]
Part 5: People of Resolve   [3:11, MP3-2.99MB]
  [latest upload - 12/13/2006]

String Quartet No. 1 (1987, 1996-7)

The first movement and beginning of the Rondo-finale of the first String Quartet were written in 1987. The middle three movements and the last three quarters of the finale happened during 1996 and early 1997. The Lento spent a great deal of its troubled life in revision. That second movement was even abandoned at one point, giving birth to the second quartet. Minor changes may still occur, but this music is effectively complete.
I. Introduction: Allegro   [3:23]  [latest upload - 12/20/1998]
II. Lento   [11:04]  [latest upload - 4/20/1999]
III. Prestissimo   [4:07]  [latest upload - 06/22/1999]
IV. Andante espressivo   [5:36]  [latest upload - 1/1/1999]

V. Rondo-finale   [12:28]  [latest upload - 06/22/1999]

String Quartet No. 2 (1997)

This movement was written in 1997 as the result of frustration over difficulties with the Lento of the first Quartet. Eventually I decided that its harmonic structure did not fit well with the other movements of that composition and went back to the original Lento, pursuing the revisions I felt were necessary. This particular movement made the most sense as the beginning of an entirely new piece. It will be in four movements, the other three having been started, but put aside for now in favor of other projects.
I. Adagio con moto   [8:26]  [latest upload - 06/22/1999]
This movement ends with a flurry of pizzicato tied together by a lone high string.

Piano Preludes (1983-4, 2000)

The Preludes originated in 1983 and 1984, though the third was never satisfactorily completed at that time. Being older works, there are elements of them which I don't particularly care for, and some that I like very much. The second and third have been extensively revised and declared complete. The first may one day experience a similar fate, but will remain in its current state for now.
Prelude No. 1   [5:05]  [latest upload - 12/20/1998]
Prelude No. 2   [3:33]  [latest upload - 6/12/2000]
Prelude No. 3   [4:39]  [latest upload - 6/12/2000]

Piano Etudes (1996)

This is the first of a planned series of etudes. It was composed in something of a flurry late in 1996, squeezed between work on the first Quartet. It's one of my favorites and I think tends to demonstrate the benefits of quick "from-the-heart" writing, rather than the slower, deliberate construction of a piece. Of course, there's something to be said for the craftsmanship aspect of the latter as well.
Etude No. 1  [1:43]  [latest upload - 12/20/1998]

Sonata for Tuba and Piano (1998...)

The Tuba Sonata was begun early in 1998. This is one of the pieces that suffered in the wake of the Great Computer Crash of August, 1999. This first movement had been essentially completed by then when all additions during the previous 5 months suddenly called an emergency group meeting and voted to disband. This was, perhaps, a blessing in disguise since I felt better about the rewritten notes than I had about the original ones. The second and third movements are currently in progress, though once again, other, more pressing efforts have kept them silent.
I. Allegro non troppo   [4:50]  [latest upload - 6/12/2000]

Woodwind Trio (1971)

The Trio for Clarinet, Oboe, and Bassoon is a legacy of some interest. It was originally scored in 1971 during my brief musical sojourn in college. It was a student piece, critiqued by the composition professor there at that time. His suggestions were never implemented because I felt the piece had no real, lasting merit. For the sake of interest, education, and attempts to raise fallen monsters from the dead, I spent some time revising it early in 2000. While it may suffer from pneumonia or a missing lung, some semblance of new life has been breathed back into it. It proved to have a contemporary feel that I had not visited in some time.
Andante   [5:05]  [latest upload - 6/12/2000]

Quintet for Brass (1969)

In 1969, my senior year in high school, I wrote the Brass Quintet, the only piece, thus far, to have had anything akin to a public performance, and that was in Humanities class at that time. That particular day, the trumpet players and trombonist were able to extricate themselves from their respective classes, but the French horn player was not. Perhaps it was fortuitous. I discovered some time later that I had transposed the horn part into the wrong key. The performance would have been a total disaster. With the exception of an additional 4-measure melodic line, the Quintet is in virtually the same shape now as it was those many years ago. It likely will not be revised any further.
Moderato - Con sprito   [2:29]  [latest upload - 6/12/2000]

Here is some pop music for you. The first three tunes, all 'love' songs, were written in the mid-1980s. (Forgive the somewhat shoddy vocals... I'm a tuba player, not a singer.) The last one, Butterfly, is an instrumental number written in 1989, and was one of the last of the pop songs I'd written. Some lyrics are included. Enjoy.