Thesis (M.M.)--Missouri State University, 2008. / "May 2008." Instrumentation: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 3 clarinets in Bb, bass clarinet, 2 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, bass saxophone, solo alto saxophone, 3 trumpets in Bb, 4 horns in F, 2 trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, timpani, percussion. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-68). Also available online.

Grimaldi is a synesthetic work composed of aural and visual media including noise, tone, electronic devices, lighting and theatrical events. It is designed for solo saxophone with an accompanying ensemble of eight wind instruments and four percussion. The most important aspect of the piece is its texture, which consists of constantly changing and interacting aural and visual events. The compositional process of Grimaldi began with the selection of a form constructed of two equal arches of unequal subdivision, and the designation of texture for each section. After these selections were made, the theatrical elements were selected, based on a traditional story about the clown Joseph Grimaldi (1787-1836). By gradually refining these general selections into specific notation, and by considering them as a whole rather than individually, consistent relationships were maintained.