shuffle (2024)
two dance pieces for symphonic band, 8’
commissioned by a consortium of ensembles and individuals led by TJ Mack and the Illinois State University Symphonic Band and completed in August 2024
Scored for picc, 2fl, 2ob, 3cl, bcl, 2bsn, 4sax, 3tpt, 2hn, 2trb, btrb, euph, tba, bgtr, pno, hp, 6perc
Last year, I composed a wind ensemble piece titled “Metaphors” which was inspired by a piece I wrote for an electronic music course. When writing the program notes for the work, I mentioned I didn’t take much inspiration or listened to much electronic music when writing the piece. I realized later that this was not true. After surfing through the music on my phone, I realized that I was drawing inspiration from many different genres subconsciously. Not only was electronic music finding its way into my classical works, but I could also notice jazz, pop, hip-hop, and even rock influences when looking back at my old works. This made me realize that my music and I are the sum of our parts and it’s better to acknowledge and lean into it rather than stay away from it. Shuffle is just that. A piece that merges pop, electronic, and jazz idioms with Western classical composition techniques intentionally draws from and connects our classical world to the one of popular music and brings lively, dance music to the concert stage.
Performances:
April 2025, McHenry Community High School, Ryan Cabildo, McHenry, IL
April 24, 2025, Saginaw Valley State University Wind Ensemble, Norman Wika, Saginaw, MI
February 20, 2024, Oakland University Wind Ensemble, Pam Klena, Rochester, MI
December 10, 2024, Normal Community High School, Paul Carter, Normal, IL
December 3, 2024, Oklahoma Baptist University Symphonic Winds, Timothy Kaiser, Shawnee, OK
November 21, 2024, Illinois State University Symphonic Band, TJ Mack, Center for the Performing Arts, Normal, IL
Consortium Members:
Alexander Gonzalez, Southern Oregon University (Ashland, OR)
Allison Allender, Monticello High School (Monticello, IL)
Andrew H. Davis, Reavis High School (Burbank, IL)
Brian Boron & Cody Halberstadt Glenbrook South High School (Glenview, IL)
Brian T. Harris & Kappa Kappa Psi, Nu Gamma Robert Morris University (Moon Township, PA)
Chris Barnum, Prospect High School (Mt. Prospect, IL)
Geoff DeSpain, Eastern Arizona College (Thatcher, AZ)
J. Nick Smith, Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, MI)
Josh Waymire, Valley High School (West Des Moines, IA)
Justin M. Johnson, Niles West High School (Skokie, IL)
Kathy Perring Parge and Ted Parge (Houston, TX)
Keith Levin, Crystal Lake Central High School (Crystal Lake, IL)
Norman Wika, Saginaw Valley State University (Saginaw, MI)
Pamela L. Klena, Oakland University (Rochester, MI)
Patrick Neff, West Park High School (Roseville, CA)
Paul Carter, Normal Community High School (Normal, IL)
Quinten Breach, Tri-Valley High School (Downs, IL)
Rachel J. Maxwell, Traughber Junior High School (Oswego, IL)
Ryan Cabildo, McHenry Community High School (McHenry, IL)
Timothy Kaiser, Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, OK)
Scot Schickel, Pontiac Township High School (Pontiac, IL)
Victor Anderson, Greg Hensel, & John Sierakowski, West Aurora High School Bands (Aurora, IL)
Zachary G. Hilligoss, Metamora Township High School (Metamora, IL)
