CURRICULUM VITAE

Education

Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition
Michigan State University ◆ East Lansing, MI
Primary Advisor: Jere Hutcheson
Secondary Advisor: Ricardo Lorenz
Degree Document: The Standard Model for wind band (in three movements)
Completed: May, 2009

Master of Music in Composition
Michigan State University ◆ East Lansing, MI
Advisor: Jere Hutcheson
Thesis: Quantum States for large orchestra
Completed: May, 2006

Bachelor of Music in Composition and Education, Magna cum laude
Western Michigan University ◆ Kalamazoo, MI
Advisors: Curtis Curtis-Smith, Robert Ricci
Completed: December, 2001

Honors and Awards

Annual ASCAPlus Award (2006 – 2010)

Winner, Michigan State University College of Music Honors (2005)

Winner, NPR member station WMUK Fanfare Competition (Kalamazoo, MI). Awarded for Fanfare ‘Vox Publicus.’ (2001)

Western Michigan University Lee Honors College Undergraduate Research Award. (2001)

Participant, pilot program of the Young Composers Mentor Project through the National Band Association. Awarded for Cloak and Dagger…the games spies play… (2000)

Winner, West Michigan Cancer Center’s “Creations” Performing Arts Series (Kalamazoo, MI). Awarded for Quintet No. 1 for Brass Quintet (1999)

Teaching Experience

Instructor, Music Theory and Composition (2010 – Present)
Wayne State University ◆ Detroit, MI
• Instructor of undergraduate music theory and ear training sequence
• Private instructor of beginning to graduate level composition students
• Interim administrator of composition department (sabbatical replacement: January – May, 2018)

Instructor, Composition, Theory, and Songwriting (February 2018 – Present)
Flint Institute of Music ◆ Flint, MI
• Private instructor and administrator of budding composition and songwriting studio

Instructor, Private Composition (January – May 2019)
Saginaw Valley State University ◆ University Center, MI
• Private instructor of undergraduate composition students

Theory and Composition Chair (2013 – 2016)
National; Music Institute for Young Artists, on the campus of the Cranbrook Educational Community ◆ Bloomfield Hills, MI

Graduate assistant in music theory (2005 – 2009)
Michigan State University ◆ East Lansing, MI
• Sole instructor for graduate remedial music theory course
• Assisted music theory faculty with undergraduate music theory courses: two semesters with freshman theory sequence, five semesters with sophomore theory sequence
• Conducted lab classes (three per week) for each semester of undergraduate music theory course assistance

Part-time instructor (May – August 2008)
Wayne State University ◆ Detroit, MI
• Summer term instructor for second-semester undergraduate music theory and aural skills courses

Instrumental music teacher, grades 6 – 12 (2002 – 2003)
Coldwater Community Schools ◆ Coldwater, MI
• Sole instructor for 8th grade band class and three sections of 6th grade beginning instrument classes
• Assisted with 7th grade and remedial band classes
• Assisted with high school symphonic, concert, and marching bands

Instructor, music theory and composition (2001 – 2006)
Mott Community College Jim Lee Fine Arts Camp ◆ Flint, MI
• Taught private beginning composition lessons to middle and high school-level camp students
• Instructor for beginning music theory class
• Assisted with performing ensembles, including intermittent conduction of rehearsals with camp concert band

Professional Service

Adjudicator, NAfME Student Composition Competition (2019 – Present)
National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Council for Student Composition

Guest Composer, 2021 EMU Virtual Honor Band (2021)
Eastern Michigan University ◆ Ypsilanti, MI

Guest Artist and Presenter, 2017 New Music Symposium (2017)
Del Mar College ◆ Corpus Christi, TX

Conductor; Roles performed – Marullo and Il Conte di Ceprano, ‘Rigoletto’ (2015)
Metro Opera Workshop of Detroit ◆ Dearborn, MI

Guest Presenter, ‘Patch In’ (electronic music/tech podcast)
Episode 24 – “TBA”
http://www.soundnotion.tv ◆ East Lansing, MI (2015)

Composer in Residence/Principal Arranger (2012 – 2017)
NUCLASSICA Talent and Entertainment ◆ Detroit, MI

Arranger, “Opera Remix” project (2011 – 2012)
Townsend Opera Company ◆ Modesto, CA

Guest Presenter, SoundNotion (new music podcast) (2011 – 2014)
• Episode 9 – “Seventeen Alto Saxophones”
• Episode 60 – “I Dare You Not To Cry”
Episode 164 – “Accidental Saxophone Piece”
http://www.soundnotion.tv ◆ East Lansing, MI/Winter Park, FL

Co-composer, score for short film Download (2010)
Folio Film Productions ◆ East Lansing, MI

Contributor to the CD ‘Tangents’ (2007)
Released by the Alliance of MSU Composers
Michigan State University ◆ East Lansing, MI

Guest Conductor (2003 – 2004)
Ann Arbor Concert Band ◆ Ann Arbor, MI
• Organized concert programs
• Directed weekly rehearsals
• Conducted scheduled concerts

Composer-in-Residence/Instrumental Music Advisor (1999 – 2010)
Manchester Community Schools ◆ Manchester, MI
• Created classroom materials, including co-authorship of a young band warm up method: Building Good Habits: A Practical Approach to Making Music – Warm Up and Musicianship Resources for the Young Band. (2005, revised 2008)
• Composed a new young band work every year for the 7th grade band, 2000 – 2009

Invited Publications

Contributor, Musicianship: Composing in Band and Orchestra (2013)
• Contributed a lesson plan on composing in the classroom for the GIA Publications book

Contributor, Composers on Composing for Band, Vol. 4 (2008)
• Contributed a chapter to the final volume released in the critically acclaimed book series
• Edited by Mark Camphouse; published by GIA Publications

Published Works

Hymn Hiraeth for wind band (2016)
Commissioned by the John Agnew Band; Sarah Nielsen, conductor
Part of the Canberra City Band, Inc.; Canberra, Australia
MSB Publishing Co.

Fugue State for young band (2012)
Commissioned by the Oakland Junior High School Band; Columbia, MO
Patrick Sullivan, director
Grand Mesa Music Publishers

Heist for young band (2011)
For the Manchester Middle School 7th Grade Band; Manchester, MI
Edward A. Schoendorff, director
Grand Mesa Music Publishers

In Retrospect for wind band (2006)
Commissioned by the Manchester High School Band Class of 2004; Manchester, MI
Grand Mesa Music Publishers

Pandemonium for young band (2006)
For the Manchester Middle School 7th Grade Band; Manchester, MI
Edward A. Schoendorff, director
Grand Mesa Music Publishers

Solitude for string orchestra (2005)
MSB Publishing Co.

In Search of…The Wild Saxamuhphones for saxophone quartet (2004)
For Erin Melody McLennon, saxophone; Kalamazoo, MI
Advance Music

This Photograph Is My Proof (after Duane Michals) for string orchestra (2003)
MSB Publishing Co.

Artifact for young band (2003)
For the Manchester Middle School 7th Grade Band; Manchester, MI
Edward A. Schoendorff, director
Grand Mesa Music Publishers

Requiem in Memoriam for wind band – In memory of James D. Lee (2003)
For the Comstock High School Band of Blue; Comstock, MI
Mark Nelson, director
TRN Music Publisher

Agincourt, 1415 for young band (2002)
For the Manchester Middle School 7th Grade Band; Manchester, MI
Edward A. Schoendorff, director
Grand Mesa Music Publishers

Adagio for euphonium quartet and tuba/euphonium quartet/ensemble (2002)
The Tuba Press

The Bridge for tuba/euphonium quartet/ensemble (2002)
The Tuba Press

Volcano! for young band (2001)
For the Manchester Middle School 7th Grade Band; Manchester, MI
Edward A. Schoendorff, director
TRN Music Publisher

The Coventry Carol for young band (2001)
For the Manchester Middle School 7th Grade Band; Manchester, MI
Edward A. Schoendorff, director
TRN Music Publisher

Published Recordings

Drumpetello. “Ancient Deities.” The Beginning of Everything. Summit Records. (2018)

Jeffrey Loeffert, saxophone. “Differential Moods.” Differential Moods. Blue Griffin. (2014)

Works

(unpublished or self-published)

Girl, Uncorrupted for flute trio (SAB) (2016)
Commissioned by The Flutastic Flutes (made up of flutists from the Lansing Symphony Orchestra) for the “Concerts at St. Mary’s” (CASM) series;
Rockwood, MI

The Atomic Wait and Kaleisotope (two electro-acoustic miniatures) (2015)
For the 50 Years of Beam event honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) and the formation of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Ancient Deities for trumpet, cello, and percussion (2015)
Commissioned by Drumpetello at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi;
Corpus Christi, TX

Concerto for Tuba and Wind Ensemble (2013)
For Philip Sinder, tuba, and the Michigan State University Wind Symphony; John Madden, conductor
East Lansing, MI

Canonic Fanfares in Extraordinary Time for trumpet octet (2013)
For the Wayne State University Trumpet Ensemble; Mark Flegg and Wendy Mathews, directors
Detroit, MI

Running with Scissors* for saxophone duo and string quartet (2013)
Commissioned by Darryl Yokely, saxophone, of the Odd Men Out duo
New York City, NY

Distance Imagined for wind band (2011)
Commissioned by the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band; Grand Rapids, MI
In honor of past director, John Stanley Ross

The Standard Model for wind band (in three movements) (2009)
Doctor of Musical Arts degree document

Electron for young band (2009)
For the Manchester Middle School 7th Grade Band
Edward A. Schoendorff, director
Manchester, MI

Differential Moods for soprano saxophone and piano (2009)
(adapted and arranged from the original 2006 oboe and piano version)
For Jeffrey Loeffert, saxophone
East Lansing, MI

The Fantastical Mechanical Contraption for children’s choir and piano (2009)
Commissioned by the University of Michigan – Flint Summer Music Academy Choir
Flint, MI

Fibonacci’s Rabbits for saxophone quartet (TTBarB) (2008)
For the H2 Saxophone Quartet
East Lansing, MI

CUT for violin, clarinet, tenor saxophone, piano, and drum set (2007)
For Drew Whiting, saxophone
East Lansing, MI

Meditation for trombone and piano (2007)
For Edward Schoendorff, trombone
Manchester, MI

Sequenza for young band (2007)
For the Manchester Middle School 7th Grade Band
Edward A. Schoendorff, director
Manchester, MI

Concerto for Tuba and Piano (in two movements) (2006)
For Jon Schultz, tuba
East Lansing, MI

Differential Moods for oboe and piano (2006)
For Marie Charmaine Trudeau, oboe
East Lansing, MI

Urban Viscosity for young band and rhythm section (2006)
For the Manchester Middle School 7th Grade Band
Edward A. Schoendorff, director
Manchester, MI

Linear Spheres for wind band (2006)
For Professor Emeritus John Whitwell, in honor of his years of service as Director of Bands at Michigan State University
Premiered by the Michigan State University Wind Symphony
John Madden, conductor
East Lansing, MI

Quantum States for large orchestra (2005)
Master of Music degree thesis document

The Void and the Infinite* for full orchestra, SATB chorus, and pipe organ (2005)

Reminiscence for solo tenor voice and piano (2005)

You Try to Sleep* for SATB choir (2005)

Vitrum Coloratum for young band (2005)
For the Manchester Middle School 7th Grade Band
Edward A. Schoendorff, director
Manchester, MI

Sonata for Bass Trombone and Piano (in three movements) (2004)
For David Krosschell, bass trombone
Evanston, IL

N.B. For the purposes of this curriculum vitae, unpublished works composed previous to graduate study at Michigan State University are not considered recent enough to warrant inclusion here. All works listed have received at least a premiere performance, except those marked with an asterisk; most have received several additional performances especially the published works.

Professional Affiliations

Member, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)

Member, The College Music Society (CMS)

Member, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society

Member, Collegiate Music Educators National Conference (CMENC)

Former district member, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA)

Former individual member, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA)

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