This study traces the development of the baton conductor from his earliest origin up to and including the present day. From his initial role, that of a time beater and teacher, he has progressed to that of an interpreter and creator of music.

A set of variations can be any length and contain any number of variations. The same set of variations also can be fashioned to resemble any musical form. On this basic premise, Theme and Variations for Wind Ensemble was written. It is a continuous one movement composition. There is a statement of a theme with five subsequent variations.

The purpose of this study is to trace the development of the concert band from its earliest stages to the present time and to compile a list of original compositions for band that are worthy of serious concert performance, including compositions from 1750 until the present.

Thesis (D.M.A.)--Arizona State University, 1992. / "Biographical sketch": p. [368]. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [288]-327).

abstract: Symphonic Movement: On Works of H. P. Lovecraft is a single movement composition for wind band lasting approximately 11 minutes. The instrumentation for the work is as follows: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 3 clarinets, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 2 trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, string bass, timpani, 5 percussionists, and piano. Symphonic Movement: On Works of H. P. Lovecraft is inspired by the horror fiction writer H. P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft was famous for his ability to create a sense of creeping dread and terror in his stories. The composition evokes this dark atmosphere and uses a combination of melodic, harmonic, and orchestrational devices to imitate this ambience. The primary musical material of the work is a melody consisting of all twelve tones. The composition explores this melody through motivic development and phrase segmentation derived from the source material. This heavy use of chromaticism helps to create a dissonant and brooding atmosphere throughout. The work fluctuates between soft, lyrical passages and loud, cacophonous sections. The alternation of exposed melodic lines with large bombastic climaxes is a major component of the overall structure of the composition. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Music 2016

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A Child's life (symphony for band) is a work for concert band in three contrasting movements. It is programmatic and the movements are compositionally linked by a network of motives and a large-scale tonal plan. The piece gravitates around the pitch center C, branching out symmetrically within each movement to explore neighboring key areas. Though tonal, the piece incorporates much chromaticism and features techniques of contemporary and jazz composition. The total performance duration is approximately 22 minutes. / text

abstract: American Primitive is a composition written for wind ensemble with an instrumentation of flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, piano, and percussion. The piece is approximately twelve minutes in duration and was written September - December 2013. American Primitive is absolute music (i.e. it does not follow a specific narrative) comprising blocks of distinct, contrasting gestures which bookend a central region of delicate textural layering and minimal gestural contrast. Though three gestures (a descending interval followed by a smaller ascending interval, a dynamic swell, and a chordal "chop") were consciously employed throughout, it is the first gesture of the three that creates a sense of unification and overall coherence to the work. Additionally, the work challenges listeners' expectations of traditional wind ensemble music by featuring the trumpet as a quasi-soloist whose material is predominately inspired by transcriptions of jazz solos. This jazz-inspired material is at times mimicked and further developed by the ensemble, also often in a soloistic manner while the trumpet maintains its role throughout. This interplay of dialogue between the "soloists" and the "ensemble" further skews listeners' conceptions of traditional wind ensemble music by featuring almost every instrument in the ensemble. Though the term "American Primitive" is usually associated with the "naïve art" movement, it bears no association to the music presented in this work. Instead, the term refers to the author's own compositional attitudes, education, and aesthetic interests. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.M. Composition 2014

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