Chamber Music
Three Scenes for Wind and Hammer (2020) - Flute/Piccolo and Piano
A suite depicting the various ways that the blowing of the wind and the striking of a hammer might intertwine.The first movement depicts the fine chiseling and chilly atmosphere needed for creating a sculpture from ice. The second movement find a miner toiling away in the dark, only to begin to hear whispers that drive the mind to madness. The final movement invokes metal-crafting and the brutal process of using searing flame to shape steel.
I. Ice Sculptures
II. Whispering Mines
III. Forged in Flames
A suite depicting the various ways that the blowing of the wind and the striking of a hammer might intertwine.The first movement depicts the fine chiseling and chilly atmosphere needed for creating a sculpture from ice. The second movement find a miner toiling away in the dark, only to begin to hear whispers that drive the mind to madness. The final movement invokes metal-crafting and the brutal process of using searing flame to shape steel.
I. Ice Sculptures
II. Whispering Mines
III. Forged in Flames
The Silver Raven (2017) - Flute Choir
The mythical silver raven begins as a calm, cool egg. Surreptitiously, it begins to stir and gradually morph the shape of its shell into elegant wings before ascending to flight. (Performed by the Kansas State University Flute Choir)
The mythical silver raven begins as a calm, cool egg. Surreptitiously, it begins to stir and gradually morph the shape of its shell into elegant wings before ascending to flight. (Performed by the Kansas State University Flute Choir)
What Words Cannot Say (2017) - Trombone Quartet
A lyric setting that is both poignant and unsettled, this work exemplifies the knotted anxiety we all feel just under the surface but cannot truly give a name to.
(Written for and performed by Tom Macaluso, Matt Bragstad, Kevin Schoeller, and Nick Lawrence)
A lyric setting that is both poignant and unsettled, this work exemplifies the knotted anxiety we all feel just under the surface but cannot truly give a name to.
(Written for and performed by Tom Macaluso, Matt Bragstad, Kevin Schoeller, and Nick Lawrence)
Vantages (2017) - Flute, Violin, and Piano
This continuous, five-movement work explores various vantage points, from featuring each instrument in the inner movements, to depicting the four classical elements. Each movement examines one element, divided into three sections, with the final movement being a culmination of the previous four movements to create a new element, Spirit.
I. Earth - The Deep, Plains, Mountain
II. Air - Sky, Storm, Snow
III. Water - Ice, Ocean, Rivers
IV. Fire - Blaze, Embers, Burning
V. Spirit - Pilgrims, Communion, Enlightened
(Written for and performed by the New Muse Ensemble: Danielle Breisach, flute; Peter Milickzy, violin; and Yana Avedyan, piano)
This continuous, five-movement work explores various vantage points, from featuring each instrument in the inner movements, to depicting the four classical elements. Each movement examines one element, divided into three sections, with the final movement being a culmination of the previous four movements to create a new element, Spirit.
I. Earth - The Deep, Plains, Mountain
II. Air - Sky, Storm, Snow
III. Water - Ice, Ocean, Rivers
IV. Fire - Blaze, Embers, Burning
V. Spirit - Pilgrims, Communion, Enlightened
(Written for and performed by the New Muse Ensemble: Danielle Breisach, flute; Peter Milickzy, violin; and Yana Avedyan, piano)
Zealotry (2016) - Percussion and Piano
An intense and rollicking ride, where the material becomes obsessive in its intent and fanatically whirls and wheels.
(Written for and performed by Garrett Mendelow, perucssion, with Yana Avedyan, piano.)
An intense and rollicking ride, where the material becomes obsessive in its intent and fanatically whirls and wheels.
(Written for and performed by Garrett Mendelow, perucssion, with Yana Avedyan, piano.)
Songs of... (2015) - Alto Saxophone, Cello, Piano, Percussion
A series of continuous 'songs' based off a common index of material, this work explores a plethora of colors, techniques, and emotions with its unique combination of instruments. The description of a specific program for the songs is avoided, so the listener may freely impose their own interpretation.
(Written for and performed by Steve Carmichael, saxophone; with Kyle Price, cello; Kyle Johnson, piano; and Somali Wilson and James McKenzie, percussion.)
A series of continuous 'songs' based off a common index of material, this work explores a plethora of colors, techniques, and emotions with its unique combination of instruments. The description of a specific program for the songs is avoided, so the listener may freely impose their own interpretation.
(Written for and performed by Steve Carmichael, saxophone; with Kyle Price, cello; Kyle Johnson, piano; and Somali Wilson and James McKenzie, percussion.)
Enthralled, Enraptured, Emanciapted (2016) - Soprano Saxophone and Percussion
Two lovers come together, letting their chemistry unfold as they orbit one another.
(Written for and performed by Steve Carmichael, saxophone; with Somali Wilson, percussion.)
Two lovers come together, letting their chemistry unfold as they orbit one another.
(Written for and performed by Steve Carmichael, saxophone; with Somali Wilson, percussion.)
Extemporanea: Prelude & Caprice (2015) - Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano
Through-composed, this piece is a feature for the flute where the ensemble chases after it through a variety of scenes.
(Performed by Danielle Breisach, flute; Peter Milickzy, violin; Joshua Dieranger, viola; Ben Bauer, cello; and Yana Avedyan, piano.)
Through-composed, this piece is a feature for the flute where the ensemble chases after it through a variety of scenes.
(Performed by Danielle Breisach, flute; Peter Milickzy, violin; Joshua Dieranger, viola; Ben Bauer, cello; and Yana Avedyan, piano.)
Conversations (2016/2017) - Trumpet, Trombone, and Piano
This works casts the trumpet and trombone as two people who meet and begin forging an intense and unique friendship. The first movement they are trading off lines, still getting to know one another. The second movement represents the more intimate and sometimes heart-wrenching moments a friendship can endure. The third movement shows the two friends coming into their own, having developed their own language and idiosyncrasies.
(Performed by Dan Cross, trumpet; Matt Bragstad, trombone; and Yana Avedyan, piano.)
This works casts the trumpet and trombone as two people who meet and begin forging an intense and unique friendship. The first movement they are trading off lines, still getting to know one another. The second movement represents the more intimate and sometimes heart-wrenching moments a friendship can endure. The third movement shows the two friends coming into their own, having developed their own language and idiosyncrasies.
(Performed by Dan Cross, trumpet; Matt Bragstad, trombone; and Yana Avedyan, piano.)
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I. Happy and Bright
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II. Heartfelt
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III. Energetically
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Obnoxia (2015) - Tenor Saxophone solo
A unique character piece that employs a variety of extended techniques to embody an
array of off-beat moods, such as that of a cantankerous old man, a whiny middle school
girl, and a boisterous little child on a sugar rush.
(Written for and performed by Steve Carmichael.)
A unique character piece that employs a variety of extended techniques to embody an
array of off-beat moods, such as that of a cantankerous old man, a whiny middle school
girl, and a boisterous little child on a sugar rush.
(Written for and performed by Steve Carmichael.)
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I. Cantankerous |
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II. Whiny |
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III. Boisterous |
My Shadow (2014) - Soprano, Bassoon (or Bass Clarinet), and Vibraphone
Based on a child's poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, this song is light-hearted in nature
and details a child's multi-faceted relationship to their permanent playmate, their shadow.
Based on a child's poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, this song is light-hearted in nature
and details a child's multi-faceted relationship to their permanent playmate, their shadow.
Glint (2015) - Trumpet and Vibraphone
A foggy and hazy work utilizing the more lyric sides of these two instruments.
(Performed by Eric Siereveld and Andrew Baldwin.)
A foggy and hazy work utilizing the more lyric sides of these two instruments.
(Performed by Eric Siereveld and Andrew Baldwin.)
Here The Frailest Leaves / This Moment Yearning and Thoughtful (2014)
- Low Voice & Piano
Two poems by Walt Whitman, performed attaca, excerpted from a larger song cycle.
- Low Voice & Piano
Two poems by Walt Whitman, performed attaca, excerpted from a larger song cycle.
Sawblade (2013) - Electric Cello and Piano
Shred away!
Shred away!
To A Stranger (2013) - High Voice, Low Voice, and Piano
From Walt Whitman's Calamus section of "Leaves of Grass," this song details the
emotions and events that occur between two people when they first meet and wonder
if they will then be able to meet again.
From Walt Whitman's Calamus section of "Leaves of Grass," this song details the
emotions and events that occur between two people when they first meet and wonder
if they will then be able to meet again.
Rollick (2013) - Piano, Trumpet, and Euphonium or Tenor Sax
A fast and fun opener or closer. Borrowing from Mark Twain "“Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot.”
A fast and fun opener or closer. Borrowing from Mark Twain "“Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot.”
Fantasia (2012)- Alto Saxophone or Bb Clarinet and Piano
Described as 'darkly romantic', this work is based upon small fragments of motives that
spin around to a dizzying climax before calmly coming to rest. (Recording: Sax version)
Described as 'darkly romantic', this work is based upon small fragments of motives that
spin around to a dizzying climax before calmly coming to rest. (Recording: Sax version)
Five Sketches for Piano (2013) - Piano
Five short movements meant to represent a variety of musical selections, emulating the
process of choosing repertoire for a concert.
Five short movements meant to represent a variety of musical selections, emulating the
process of choosing repertoire for a concert.
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I. Agitato Marcato II. Tranquillo Notturno III. Intermezzo Scherzando IV. Adagio Drammatico V. Presto Ritmico |
My Puppy's Adventures (2013) - Percussion Ensemble (9 players)
A character piece based on the habits and behaviors of my wonderful canine companion,
Terra, the best black labrador retriever and friend a guy could ask for!
A character piece based on the habits and behaviors of my wonderful canine companion,
Terra, the best black labrador retriever and friend a guy could ask for!
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I. Inquisitive II. Asleep? III. Playtime! |
For Him I Sing (2013) - High Voice and piano
Based on a text by Walt Whitman, this song is both eerie and intense, describing a
relationship that has endured many trials.
Based on a text by Walt Whitman, this song is both eerie and intense, describing a
relationship that has endured many trials.