Instrumental Solo / Chamber Ensembles

Visions at a County Fair (2012-13)

 Brass Quintet. "Visions at a County Fair" uses three short movements to evoke images of a local county fair at three different times of day: "Morning Prelude: Gates of mist," "Afternoon Waltz: Lazy Carousel," and "Evening Fugue: Neon Midway." The opening chord progression becomes a unifying motive for all three movements, either treated homophonically or by using independent lines as solo melodies (especially in Mvt I and II). The final movement introduces a fast syncopated theme which builds momentum in a fugal texture that quotes motives from earlier in the suite. Although most of "Visions at a County Fair" was completed in Summer and Fall 2012, the final version was revised in January 2013.

Gabriel Takes Flight (2012)

Bb trumpet and piano.  The horn-blowing angel Gabriel is often portrayed as a very serious character who is given the weighty responsibility of delivering important messages such as the Annunciation to the virgin Mary or the final trumpet blast that signals Christ's return. In "Gabriel Takes Flight," we see a much different angel, perhaps well-rested 
after the final battle and relaxing in heaven but still seeking adventure through flight. This tone poem depicts the angel Gabriel soaring through the clouds, dodging thunderclouds, and bursting through layers of white into brilliant sunlight. Many sections of "Gabriel Takes Flight" are reminiscent of the type of soundtrack that might underscore the inspiring moment of flight within the animated films of Hayao Miyazaki such as "Howl's Moving Castle," "Spirited Away," or "Castle in the Sky." The piece is dedicated to Peter Kuipers, whose lyrical trumpet-playing inspired the long flowing lines and dynamic phrasing found throughout "Gabriel Takes Flight."

Paul Klee: Painted Songs (2011)

An ongoing series of instrumental solos or chamber music inspired by artwork of Paul Klee. Each installment uses a unique instrumentation can be performed independently, conceived as part of a series, not a suite. Most of the pieces use a solo instrument and an accompanying voice, in some cases mallet percussion.

"Fugue in Red" (trumpet quartet)
"Twittering Machine" (clarinet, piano)
"Red Balloon" (tuba, marimba/vibraphone) 
"High Spirits" (flute, marimba)
"Separation in the Evening" (tenor sax, vibraphone)
"Fire in the Evening" (tenor sax, vibraphone) 
"White-Framed Polyphonically" (octet - four clarinets, two horns, two euphoniums)
"Heroic Strokes of the Box" (soprano, piano duet)

Cottage Flowers (2011)

Seven flute solos inspired by seven classic English cottage flowers. Originally inspired by a call for scores called "The Flutist's Field Guide." Each movement is a narrative describing the characteristics of that plant. Some movements use extended technique, while others are more traditional. 

I. Alcea (Hollyhock)
II. Dianthus (Sweet William)
III. Digitalis (Foxglove)
IV. Lavendula (Lavender)
V. Leucanthemum (Daisy)
VI. Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal) 
VII.Primulacea (Primrose)

Synthesis (2011)

An invigorating and rhythmic saxophone quartet (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bari) that requires tight playing with soloistic passages. While being reminiscent of Renaissance consort music, this quartet takes the family of saxophones in a new direction. Dedicated to the Dordt College Saxophone Quartet. 

"Synthesis" Dordt College, April 4, 2011 at Jenn Roetmann's senior saxophone recital

Memorial for Anna's Father (2011)

Bb clarinet and piano.

Written for Anna Kalfs, in memory of her father Curtis Lloyd Kalfs. Premiered at Anna's junior clarinet recital in Spring 2011.

Premiere Dordt College, April 12, 2011

Dialogues: for 10 Instruments (2010)

A series of duets and interludes that discuss over 25 original themes.

Premiered Spring 2012.

Moving Still: Three short movements for flute, clarinet, piano, and violincello (2010)

Created for Rapido! 14-day composition competition