Wide Awake (for jazz ensemble)

“Wide Awake” is a swing piece with a loose feel and dense (and occasionally dissonant) harmony. What can I say, I’m a fan of dissonance! This is an advanced-level piece that will challenge high school groups. Check out the score below. For Review: Wide Awake (Full Score) – comp-arr by Shawn A. Harrel Style: Swing […]

Machine Shop (for Solo Trombone, Concert Band, & recorded media)

Machine Shop was written for trombonist Dave Cooper. Many years ago when I was in high school I worked with Dave at a mall which has since been torn down. Dave was one of the first people to get me interested in jazz recordings and even played some Aebersold play-a-longs with me before I had […]

Clamored Cantos (Solo Trumpet with live effects and Media)

Clamored Cantos was composed for Alex Caselman’s doctoral recital. The piece incorporates solo trumpet, piano, prerecorded media and live effects (processed using the very affordable Apple Mainstage). The soloist typically uses a small MIDI keyboard to trigger different channel strip settings and an foot switch (sustain pedal) to enable/disable delay. This can be configured to […]

Glitch (for Concert Band and Electronic Media)

Glitch was composed for the combined bands at Lee’s Summit West High School and was performed on April 28th, 2014. The premier performance featured Mr. Bob Harvey (LSR7 band director, trumpet) and Isaiah Carter (LSW ’14, Berklee College of Music ’19, drum set). Because these two excellent jazz players were added, this piece was extended […]

Pathways (for jazz ensemble)

About this piece: “Pathways” was written for the West Central Missouri Music Educators Association and C. Grant Maledy, Jazz Vice President, to be performed by the 2015-16 All District Jazz Band. The title of the piece sheds some light on the creative genesis behind it: as musicians, students, and teachers, we’re all traveling on different […]

Sight Reading Practice (for concert band)

This collection of 6 short sight reading examples was inspired by the concept of music cues for film and television. These examples are Grade 3 but challenge the players to capture the correct style and mood of each one. Just like playing for a professional recording gig, you only get one take! For review: Sight-Reading-Music-Cues […]

Syndrome (for concert band)

“Syndrome” was commissioned by Clif Thurmond and the 2012 Symphonic Band from Lee’s Summit West High School. They performed the piece on the 74th Annual Missouri Music Educator’s Conference/Workshop. It uses a drum set and double bass and is based on a 5-note recurring motive (which happens to be based on the LSW school song) […]

Between Us (for jazz ensemble)

“Between Us” is a piece written for big band featuring an improvised solo for trumpet. The lead alto player will need to play soprano, and for best results you should have 2-3 trumpets double on flugelhorn. This piece has the feel of a conversation between old friends. The rhythm section has moments of driving swing […]

Spectrum (for concert band)

“Spectrum” was commissioned by R. Brady Finch for the 2010 performance of the LSHS Symphonic Band at MMEA. It requires 7 percussionists with multiple mallet technique to keep the players in the back of the room as busy as the ones in front.

Right There (for jazz ensemble)

“Right There” is a jazz ensemble piece commissioned by Eric Griffin and the Olathe East High School Jazz Band for their performance at the KMEA convention. The piece challenges to the soloist to learn a 1/2-W diminished scale that can be applied over several chord changes throughout the solo section. Style: Swing Tempo: 140-160 Trumpet […]