Brimming with excitement from the opening measures, this bold piece gives each section of the band opportunities to shine, while also challenging them to expand their playing ranges and their understanding of accidentals.  The contrasting middle section of the piece also provides young players the opportunity to play with expressive phrasing and dynamics.

Published by Alfred Music
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice

This fanfare for young band celebrates the spirit of creation from the moment of inspiration to the celebration of completion.  The piece begins with a flourish depicting the "aha!" moment of inspiration, followed by a strong theme of determination and perseverance.  A reflective theme appears halfway through, before giving way to the main theme once again, this time in a spirit of celebration.

Published by Alfred Music
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice

With the musical call of, "Land, ho!" echoing across the band, the tale of pirates, buried treasure, and battle is underway!  Written in rondo form, a strong, driving pirate theme serves as the main theme throughout the piece, surrounding two contrasting sections: a serene treasure theme introduced by the woodwinds, and a "battle" across the band, featuring the percussion section.

Published by Alfred Music
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice

A sense of wonder, intrigue, and adventure are all captured in this unique setting of two traditional Wise Men carols.  The journey begins with a reflective, somewhat mysterious minor arrangement of What Star is This?, which eventually gives way to an exciting, driving setting of We Three Kings.  The piece builds to a climax with the majestic return of What Star is This? in its traditional major key.

Published by Alfred Music

The popular carols Away in a Manger and The First Noel are woven together in this uniquely expressive arrangement.  The piece begins serenely with Away in a Manger, and uses brief, evolving interludes to gradually propel the piece toward a climactic statement of The First Noel.

Published by Alfred Music
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice

From the bold chords of the opening statement to the lush, shifting harmonic progressions, this piece captures the grandeur of this South Dakota canyon's majestic mountains, and the winding waters of Spearfish Creek.  A serene, lyrical theme emerges to depict the breathtaking views of the valleys from the mountain trails.  A call of the opening theme builds across the ensemble, signaling a return to the trek, and leading the canyon adventure to an exciting close.

Published by Alfred Music
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
Stanton's Sheet Music Five Star Feature
Teaching Music through Performance in Band, Volume 12

This piece captures the anticipation, arrival, and celebration of the holidays through the use of sacred and secular carols alike.  The piece opens with a quiet setting of O Come, O Come Emmanuel, then continues with a colorful and energetic rendition of the Ukrainian Bell Carol before drawing to an exciting conclusion against a cacophony of ringing bells.

Published by Alfred Music
Performed at the 2013 Midwest Clinic, Grisham Middle School Honors Band.

A musical adventure sure to stir up images of some of nature's most majestic landscapes and mountain ranges!  The journey begins with a majestic call and response theme divided among the sections, chasing after one another.  Eventually, a lighter, yet driving theme appears, signifying the discovery of a breathtaking view at the summit.  The piece takes off once again, building all the way to the end, hinting that the adventure continues, or perhaps begins, Beyond the Summit.

Published by C.L. Barnhouse Company
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
Stanton's Sheet Music Five Star Feature

The pioneering spirit is captured in this original concert overture.  The adventure begins as a subdued call of the unknown beckons, giving way to lyrical, triumphant melody accompanied by driving percussion.  The piece transitions to a quiet, pastoral melody, reflecting the beauty of the open plains.  The unknown horizon calls again and builds into a soaring statement of the opening theme, leading to an energetic conclusion.

Performed at the 2023 South Dakota Middle School All-State Band Festival.

The Lost Temple captures the mystique of ancient legends, lost treasures, and adventures into the unknown.  A quiet, lyrical melody opens the piece, eventually giving way to a driving adventure theme.  A sense of calm and wonder emerges, but dangers soon reveal themselves.  The heroic theme emerges once again, leading to a triumphant ending.

Published by Alfred Music
Performed at the 2017 Midwest Clinic, Arbor Creek Middle School Honors Band.
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
Stanton's Sheet Music Five Star Feature
Bandworld Top 100

This reflective piece explores a path through the complex emotions of loss and uncertainty to a place of peace and resolution.  The melody is constantly evolving and expanding, exploring a variety of instrumental colors and shifting tonal centers to travel through transparent moments of calm and wonder to a soaring, triumphant climax.  The quiet theme of wonder returns one more time in the end, however, this time the theme has a sense of peace about it as it ascends to a final resolution.

Published by Alfred Music
Currently available on MakeMusic Cloud and for digital download.