FILM
Earthcaster: A documentary about Artist Thomas Sayre
Commissioned by Minnow Media
Mixed ensemble – movie duration c. 60 minutes.
• Premiere: October, 2015 at HUNT AUDITORIUM at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC.
VOCAL—Solo and Ensemble
Approaching Ali (Opera in one act)
Commissioned by the Washington National Opera | Mark Campbell & Davis Miller, co-librettists
Baritone, Bass-Baritone, Soprano, Boy Soprano, Tenor, Mezzo-Soprano
flute (pic), clarinet (bass), 2 percussion, synthesizer, 2 violins, viola, cello, bass - Duration: c. 60 minutes
· Premiere: June, 2013 by THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA at the Kennedy Center, Washington, DC.
· Subsequent Performances in January & February 2015 by NORTH CAROLINA OPERA in Durham and Raleigh, NC.
Carnal Node
Soprano, flute, clarinet, piano, violin, viola, cello, percussion - Duration: 11 minutes
Jason Masimore and D. J. Sparr, Co-librettists
· Premiere: June 2001 by NORTH/SOUTH CONSONANCE at Christ and St. Stephen's Church, New York NY.
Subsequent performances in July, 2008 at the Capital Fringe Festival by the Great Noise Ensemble at the Harmon Center for the Arts, Washington, DC and in February 2012 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC.
Premiere recording by Great Noise Ensemble in 2013.
Carroll Canons
Commissioned by the Children’s Chorus of Carroll County | Henry Ditman, poet
A round for choir
· Premiere: February 2007 by the CHILDREN’S CHORUS OF CARROLL COUNTY in Westminster, MD.
Subsequent performances in July 2011 at THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR FESTIVAL at Canterbury Cathedral & London.
Ella Que Llora
Commissioned by UNCG-Greensboro, Texas Tech University and 12 universities | Libretto by Caitlin Vincent
soprano, flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet in Bb, bassoon, 2 horns in F, trombone, 2 percussion, Hammond organ or synthesizer, double bass – duration 15 minutes
· Premiere: April 2019 by LINDSAY KESSELMAN and UNC GREENSBORO WIND ENSEMBLE with KEVIN GERALDI at UNCG Auditorium in Greensboro, NC
· Subsequent performances by consortium members (scheduled).
I Can Hear Her through the Thin Wall Singing
Commissioned by Kristina Bachrach | Patrick Phillips, Poet
Soprano and electric guitar – duration 15 minutes
· Premiere: October 2017 by KRISTINA BACHRACH and D. J. SPARR at The Lilypad in Cambridge, MA
· Subsequent performances at Avaloch Farm Music Institute in October 2017 and September 2019
· Premiere recording on Innova Records
In Our Care
Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera | Poem by Janine Joseph
Baritone solo, chorus, and piano – duration 5 minutes
· Premiere to be scheduled 2019-20 season
· Subsequent performance scheduled by WASHINGTON MASTER CHORALE for 2020-21 season.
Lament: Johnny Cadence
Commissioned by the Albany Symphony Orchestra
Nick Harp, Poet
soprano and chamber orchestra – duration: 6 minutes
· Premiere: March 2001 by the DOGS OF DESIRE in Saratoga Springs, NY.
On This Muddy Water
Commissioned by the Houston Grand Opera
Libretto by Janine Joseph
Mezzo-soprano, Baritone, Clarinet, Percussion, Violin, Cello
• Premiere: December 2014 by the HOUSTON GRAND OPERA at the Julia Ideson Building in Houston, TX.
· Subsequent performance in February 2015 at RICE UNIVERSITY in Houston, TX.
To Love a Thing
Commissioned by Collaborations Faculty Chamber Music Series, Texas Tech University
Patrick Phillips, Poet
Baritone voice and viola – duration 10 minutes
· Premiere January 2018 by COLLABORATIONS FACULTY CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES at Texas Tech University
· Subsequent performances at San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, NM and San Angelo Chamber Music Series, TX
…to me from the earth…
Commissioned by CAM Raleigh on behalf of North Carolina Symphony and New Music Raleigh
soprano, flute, clarinet, percussion, electronic soundscape, amplified violin, violin, viola, cello, double bass. – duration 30 minutes
• Premiere: November 2016 in four performances by the NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHOY AND NEW MUSIC RALEIGH at CAM Raleigh in Raleigh, NC.
· Subsequent performances in April 2018 by MISSISSIPPI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, MS.
William & Emily
Composers Guild Vocal Award–1996
1996 Oregon Bach Festival Fellowship Commission | Edgar Lee Masters, Poet
solo voice in any range- performer also plays tambourine – duration: 4 minutes
· Premiere: July 1996 at the OREGON BACH FESTIVAL at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, OR.
· Subsequent performance in October 2016 by LORELEI ENSEMBLE at the 808 Gallery in Boston, MA
With Every Gust of Wind: Four Haiku
Written for Lakeridge Chamber Orchestra
Tenor, Piano, and String Orchestra
· Premiere: February 2018 by LAKERIDGE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Eric Allen, Conductor in Lubbock, TX
· Subsequent performance in January 2019 by CHICAGO COMPOSERS ORCHESTRA Allen Tinkham, Conductor at Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University Chicago, IL.
Instrumental—Large Ensemble
Catch That Catch Can
Commissioned by Williamsburg Symphonia
2 (2-pic)-2-2 (2 b.cl)-2; 2-2-0-0; 1 perc; strings - duration: 10’
· Premiere: January 10 & 11, 2011 by the WILLIASMBURG SYMPHONIA at Kimball Theatre in Williamsburg, VA
Cloud of Witnesses
Commissioned by a consortium led by Texas Tech University and nineteen universities including Eastman School of Music, Florida State University, Iowa State University, Kent State University, Oregon State University, Southeast Oklahoma State University, State University of New York at Potsdam, Texas State University, University of California – Los Angeles, University of California – Stanislaus, University of Michigan, University of Montana, University of Oregon, University of Wisconsin, & Youngstown State University
Picc, Fl 1-4, Ob 1-2, corA, Cl 1-6, bcl, asax 1-2, tsax, barsax, bn1-2, dbn, Hn 1-4, tpt1-4, flgn 1-2, ttrbn 1-2, btrbn, euph, tuba 1-2, timp, perc 1-4, Harp, pft, synth or org, db – duration: 10’
• Premiere: October, 2014 by TEXAS TECH SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE at Hemmle Hall, Lubbock, TX. Sarah McKoin, conductor
• Subsequent Performances by UT AUSTIN, November 2016 + Consortium Members
DACCA : DECCA : GaFfA
Commissioned by New Music Detroit
2009 League of Composers/ISCM Composers’ Competition Winner
fl, ob, cl, 2 perc, 12 st. gtr, 6 st. gtr, violin, viola, cello (individual or section) – duration: 10’
· Premiere: September 2008 at the “Strange Beautiful Music II Marathon” by NEW MUSIC DETROIT in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit, MI.
· Subsequent performances in June 2010 by THE ORCHESTRA OF THE LEAGUE OF COMPOSERS in Miller Theatre of Columbia University in New York, NY and in October, 2011 by the CALIFORNIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at the Leshner Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA, Nicholas McGegan, conductor. LUBBOCK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, January 2019
Dreams of the Old Believers
Commissioned by California Symphony
2222-4231-tmp+3-Hp-str – duration: c. 11’
• Premiere performance: May May 2014 by the CALIFORNIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at the Leshner Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA, Donato Cabrera, conductor.
• Subsequent performance in May 2016 by LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC at the Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV.
The Fire and the Water
Commissioned by Artis-Naples and Andrey Boreyko for the Naples Philharmonic
3(pic)222-4231-tmp+3-Soundscape-Hp-str – duration: c. 5’
Premiere: October 2019 by the NAPLES PHILHARMONC Andrey Boreyko-Conductor, in Naples, FL.
General Electric: A Concerto Grosso for Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Synthesizer, Percussion and Large Chamber Ensemble
Orchestra version: fl/pic, ob, cl, t.sax, b.sax, bsn, hrn, tpt, trb, solo perc, solo e.gtr, solo e.bass, solo synth, strings– duration: 25’
Premiere: November 2006 by the GREAT NOISE ENSEMBLE, Charles Sumner School in Washington, DC. Armando Bayolo, Conductor.
Winds-only version premiere: May 2007 CSU STANISLAUS WIND ENSEMBLE at the Bernell and Flora Snider Music Recital Hall in Turlock CA. Stuart Sims, conductor.
Subsequent performances in November 2016 by UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN, Dan Welcher, conductor.
Guitar Folio: concerto for guitar and chamber orchestra
BMI Student Composer Award (2000)
Honorable Mention, Third International Guitar Composition Competition Rodrigo Riera (1999)
flute/piccolo, 2 oboes, clarinet, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, trumpet, bass trombone, 1 percussion, solo classical guitar, strings – duration: 17’
· Premiere: December, 2000 by the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA in Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, MI. D. J. Sparr, guitar – Joana Carneiro, conductor.
Katrina: Concerto for Jazz Guitar and Orchestra
Commissioned by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
2-2-2-2; 4-2-3-1; 3 perc; e. bass, e. org., solo e, gtr; strings - duration: 22’
Premiere: April 2016 by the ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center in Little Rock, AR. Phillip Mann, conductor & Ted Ludwig, guitarist.
Larghetto cum Loco
Commissioned by the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras
3 flutes, 2 oboes, 3 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, harp, celesta, timpani, 3 perc., strings – duration: 12’
Premiere: December 2006 by the CYSO CONCERT ORCHESTRA at the Chicago Cultural Center in Chicago, IL. Terrance Gray, conductor.
Life Between Lives
Commissioned by Pro Musica Colorado
Harpsichord, 3 violins, 3 violas, 3 cellos, double bass – duration: 15’
· Premiere performances: January 2016 by PRO MUSICA COLORADO in Denver and Boulder, CO.
Optima Vota: Overture-Fantasia
Commissioned by the California Symphony
(2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in A/Bb, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tmp+3 percussion, harp, strings – duration: c. 10’
· Premiere performances: May 4, 5, & 6, 2012 by the CALIFORNIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore, CA and at the Leshner Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA, Donato Cabrera, conductor.
Precious Metal: a concerto for flute and winds
Commissioned by a consortium of 33 wind ensembles led by the University of Washington
2 flutes (1 doubles piccolo),2 oboes,2 clarinets in Bb, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, solo flute, 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in Bb, 2 trombones, bass trombone, tuba, contrabass, timpani, 4 percussion, harp, piano – duration: 20’
· Premieres: March 2010 by the UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON in Seattle, WA and in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hyogo, Shiga,
Izumo, and Wakayama, Japan and April 2010 by the BAND OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY.
· Subsequent performances by numerous ensembles nationwide.
Prelude & the Velvet Fugue
Commissioned by the California State University, Stanislaus Wind Ensemble
wind ensemble – duration: 12 minutes
• Premiere: May 2006 by the CSU STANISLAUS WIND ENSEMBLE at the Bernell and Flora Snider Music Recital Hall – Turlock, CA. Stuart Sims, conductor.
• Subsequent Performance: October 2011 by CONCORDIA SANTA FE at the St. Francis Auditorium in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Miller Asbill, conductor.
St. John’s on Church Hill
Commissioned by the Richmond Symphony
3 (pic)-3 (eh)-3 (b.cl)-3 (c.bsn); 4-3-3 -1; t+3 perc; strings – duration: 4’
· Premiere: November 2010 by the RICHMOND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at the Siegel Center in Richmond, VA.
· Subsequent Performance: July 2015 by SEWANEE SYMPHONY at Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Sewanee, TN. Alan
Tinkham, conductor.
Superstring Serenade (orchestra version)
Commissioned by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
Harp, 3 percussion, strings (12, 10, 8, 8, 6) – Duration: 7’
· Premiere: March 2011 by the DAYTON PHILHARMONIC at the Schuster Center in Dayton, OH.
· Version for stings only in January 2012 by COUNTERPOINT at the Atlas Theater in Washington, DC.
The Wow! Signal / Schrödinger’s Cat / Many Worlds Interpretation
Commissioned by Richmond Symphony Orchestra
• Premiere: May 2010 by the RICHMOND SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA PROGRAM at the Carpenter Center in Richmond, VA.
· Subsequent Performance of Schrödinger’s Cat: October 2011 by DAYTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA at at the Schuster Center in Dayton, OH.
Violet Bond: Concerto for electric guitar and orchestra
Commissioned by the California Symphony
2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 1 percussion, solo e. guitar, strings – duration: c. 15’
· Premiere: May 3, 4, & 5, 2013 by the CALIFORNIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore, CA and at the Leshner Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA, Robert Treviño, conductor.
Wrought Hocket
Alternate, Rome Prize, American Academy in Rome (1998–99)
Grand Prize, BMG/Williams College National Young Composers Competition–1997 / Howard Hanson Ensemble Prize–1997
2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, tuba, 3 percussion, strings – duration: 11’
· Premiere: Oct. 1997 by the BERKSHIRE SYMPHONY at the Berkshire New Music Festival, Chapin Hall in Williamstown, MA. Ronald Feldman, conductor.
· Subsequent Performance in March, 1998 by the YMF “DEBUT” ORCHESTRA at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Bundit Ungrangsee, conductor.
Instrumental—Solo and Chamber
The 41st Rudiment: Concerto for Sculptured Percussion
Collaboration with sculpture artist Terry Berlier (Stanford University)
fl, cl, bsn, synth, solo perc, strings - duration: 30’
· Premiere: April 2010 by the GREAT NOISE ENSEMBLE at Ward Recital Hall of the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
The Crescent Chorales
Commissioned by the National Flute Association for Sarah Jackson (piccolo) and the Collegiate Flute Choir
Piccolo solo and flute choir – duration: 6’
Premiere: August 11, 2013 at the NATIONAL FLUTE ASSOCIATION CONVENTION in New Orleans, LA.
The Glam Seduction
2000 BMI/Boudleaux Bryant Fund commission for Eighth Blackbird
flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion – duration: 12’
· Premiere: EIGHTH BLACKBIRD on numerous concerts during their 2003-2004 season.
· Subsequent performances in November 2006 by the CONTEMPORARY DIRECTIONS ENSEMBLE of the University of Michigan, in April 2008 by the VERGE ENSEMBLE at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC., in February 2009 by COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY in Fort Collins, CO and FIREBIRD ENSEMBLE at Redbones in Boston, MA, in September 2012 by NEW MUSIC RALEIGH at Burning Coal Theater in Raleigh, NC in October 2013 by BRIGHTWORK NEWMUSIC in Orange, CA, and in January 2014 by APERIO ENSEMBLE in Houston, TX.
Premiere recording on Centaur Records.
Lost in the Old South Tower
Commissioned by Ellipsis Trio
For piano trio – duration 8 minutes and 30 seconds
• Premiere: April 2104 by the ELLIPSIS TRIO at Killian Hall of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA
· Subsequent Performances by LUBBOCK SYMPHONY in 2018 and THE LEE TRIO at Piedmont Center for the Arts, in Piedmont, CA
META444
Commissioned by The Response Project, Brianna Matzke
Violin, piano, and electronic soundscape – duration 8 minutes
· Premiere: March 2017 by the THE RESPONSE PROJECT at Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, OH.\
· Premiere Recording on Innova Records
Percussion Quartet: Compass Chrome
Commissioned by a consortium including Chapman University, Colorado State University, Eastman School of Music, George Mason University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Lindenwood University, McMaster University, McMurry University, Northwestern University, Tennessee Tech University, University of Central Florida, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina, University of Virginia, University of Windsor, & Virginia Commonwealth University
Four percussionists - duration: c. 10’
· Premiere: November, 2103 by the VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE in
Richmond, VA.
· Recorded by THIRD COAST PERCUSSION for future release
River Seine’s Open Air
fl., hp., vla. - duration: 8’
· Premiere: August 2015 by the LAKE GEORGE MUSIC FESTIVAL in Lake George, NY.
· Subsequent Performances in December 2015 by TRIO ALEXANDER at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY
and on February 2016 by the CAERUS ENSEMBLE in Lubbock, TX. Recorded by THE ALEXANDER TRIO for future release.
Sound Harmonies with Air
Commissioned by the Walden School for the Wet Ink Ensemble
fl., cl., percussion, piano, (tenor sax OR violin & cello), (live e. guitar optional), playback and live sound processing– duration: 9’
· Premiere: July 2009 by the WET INK ENSEMBLE in Dublin, NH.
· Subsequent performances in November 2010 by EIGHTH BLACKBIRD with D. J. Sparr, guitar at the Third Practice Festival, University of Richmond in Richmond, VA, in November 2011 by the GVSU NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA, Mobtown Modern in Baltimore, MD, the Atlas Theater in Washington, DC and at Sight/Sound in Grand Rapids, MI, and in September 2012 by NEW MUSIC RALEIGH at Burning Coal Theater in Raleigh, NC.
· Premiere recording on Centaur Records.
Silver Strettos
Flute & Piano– duration: 7’
· Multiple performances in March and April, 2010 by DONNA SHIN in Beijing, China at China Conservatory, Central Conservatory of Music, & Minzu University, and University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
String Quartet: Avaloch
2 violins, viola, cello – duration: 15’
· Premiere performances: May, 2015 by MOMENTA QUARTET at the Bucks County Performing Arts Center in Yardley, PA
and at Spectrum, NYC.
· Subsequent Performances by MOMENTA QUARTET in October, 2015 at Tenri Cultural Institute, New York City.
Superstring Serenade (ensemble version)
2 violins, viola, cello, doublebass – duration: 6’
· Premiere: January 2012 by COUNTERPOINT at the Atlas Theater in Washington, DC.
· Subsequent Performances in May 2015 by NAPLES PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER SERIES in Naples, FL.
· Recorded by DEL SOL STRING QUARTET for future release
The Trouble with Ben
Commissioned by Sound Impact
Violin, viola, cello + narrator– duration: 25’
· Premiere: January 2017 by SOUND IMPACT at the Woodside School in Concord, NH.
· Performed over fifty times on music outreach programs at NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, ROANOKE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, VIRGINIA COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS, & MUSIC AT KOHL MANSION
Vim-Hocket, Calm (duet)
Alternate, Rome Prize, American Academy in Rome (1998–99)
amplified violin & electric guitar – duration: 8’
· Premiere: May 1997, SUSANNA OGATA (violin) & D. J. SPARR (Guitar), Kilbourn Hall in Rochester, NY.
· Subsequent performance in September 2008 by NEW MUSIC DETROIT at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit, MI., and in October 2010 by the ALIAS ENSEMBLE at Blair School of Music's Turner Hall in Nashville, TN, and in August, 2011 at the CABRILLO FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSIC in Los Gatos, CA, and in September 2012 by NEW MUSIC RALEIGH at Burning Coal Theater in Raleigh, NC.
Premiere recording on Centaur Records.
Vim:Hocket:Calm (ensemble)
Commissioned by the Walden School for the Hexnut Ensemble
sopranino recorder (or clarinet), flute, trumpet, soprano, piano – duration: 7’
· Premiere: July 2010 by the HEXNUT ENSEMBLE in Dublin, NH.
· Subsequent performance by the HEXNUT ENSEMBLE in March 2011 in Amsterdam, Netherlands
· Premiere recording on Centaur Records.
Zarlino’s Cascades
Commissioned by the Motor City Brass
Horn, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, Tuba - duration: c. 10’
Woodlawn Drive
Aspen Music School Advanced Master class Commission
flute, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, cello – duration: 9 minutes
· Premiere: July 16, 1999 by the ASPEN CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE at the Aspen Music
Festival, Harris Hall in Aspen, CO. Sydney Hodkinson, conductor.
· Subsequent performances in October, 1999 at the MIDWEST COMPOSERS SYMPOSIUM at
the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI in November 2000 by THE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FORUM at the Hammer Auditorium of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and in September 2008 at the “Strange Beautiful Music II Marathon” by NEW MUSIC DETROIT at Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit, MI, and in June 2012 by the AMERICAN MODERN ENSEMBLE in Merkin Concert Hall, NYC, and in September 2012 by NEW MUSIC RALEIGH at Burning Coal Theater in Raleigh, NC.
· Premiere recording on Centaur Records.