Premiered October 29, 2015 at Sam Houston University, Texas

Sam Houston Percussion Group:
Casey Garcia
Joel Garza
Hannah Talton
Kin Lam Lam

chain maille (otherwise known as mail) is a type of armour consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a protective mesh. With an exclusively metal timbral palette, this percussion quartet explores the concept of chain maille from several entry points – using the mesh pattern as fodder for musical material, examining associations of its medieval history, and most directly, using a chain maille hood as a percussion instrument. chain maille also investigates the idea of armour – the heavy armour we carry to protect against harm, both physical and emotional.

"chain maille" is the first in a set of a multiple-work piece based on the history and associations of various textiles/patterns. In each of these works, the textile or pattern is used both as inspiration (history, tone, physical characteristics) and as a physically present element, either visually or sonically.

"chain maille" was written for the Sam Houston Percussion Group under the direction of John Lane.

chain maille (for percussion quartet)

World premiere performance on November 1, 2015 of my original composition for chamber orchestra by the McConnell Arts Center Chamber Orchestra, Antoine Clark, music director and conductor.

...into the suggestive waters...

Ictus (2015) for fixed media

An ambient work composed for an audiovisual installation. A single screen version of the video installation can be found here: https://youtu.be/v5T1NgS9vss

Subcellular Abstractions (2016) for fixed media

21 June performance at King's Chapel in Boston.

Guest artists Maria Bablyak & Irina Pisarenko

The k a rl h e nn i ng Ensemble:
Carol Epple & Peter H, Bloom, flutes
Pamela Marshall, horn
kh, clarinet

Sound and Sight Op.140 | 21 June 2016

score: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fv4l0ddnxv4am6d/Brooks%20-%20Divergent%20Melodies%20-%20Score.pdf?dl=0
Commissioned by the NC New Music Initiative.
Recorded by the ECU Chamber Winds under the direction of Scott Carter.
Engineered by Adam Scott Neal.
Edited/mixed by Aaron Myers-Brooks.

Divergent Melodies

Divergent Melodies (fl, cl, ob, bsn, tpt, tbn, pno, perc)

In this week's Episode, host Joseph Morris talks with ECU Theory and Composition Professor Dr. Ed Jacobs about New Music at ECU and the North Carolina New Music Initiative.

Practice Room, Ep. 4 | Dr. Ed Jacobs

In this episode, Host Joseph Morris talks with ECU coordinator of audio services for the School of Music, Adam Scott Neal, and his work as a composer of innovative music.  Clips of Neal's work include 'hammers' a piece for toy piano, and 'Tidal' a piece for piano and fixed media. Be sure to check out his work at adamscottneal.com

Practice Room Ep. 5 | Adam Scott Neal

Hee Yeon Kim, violin; Candace Thomas, horn; Brandon Banks, piano

Program note:
Rivermist is a non-programmatic work concerned with typical musical ideas like harmony and texture. As I wrote it, the ebbing, flowing, and undulation of the music began to make me envision cool mountain streams.

Rivermist (violin, horn, piano, 2015)

Audio from the world premiere of 'in the space that separates' by the Central Dauphin Wind Ensemble and Matt Carraher. 

Commissioned by Central Dauphin, Matt Carraher, Central Dauphin East, and Curtis Glidewell in partnership with Composers and Schools in Concert. For more information, visit: www.chriscresswellmusic.com

in the space that separates (2018)

A remote collaboration between woodwind students at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities and composer Adam Scott Neal.

Cari Ann Nazario, flute
Sophie MacRae, oboe
Keah Rodwell, clarinet
Hampton Stroble, bassoon
Mikey Silva, saxophone

with 
Kyra Zhang, clarinetist and instructor
and 
Adam Scott Neal, pianist and audio engineer

Prelude for Chamber Ensemble by SCGSAH Woodwinds

minimal | instrumental | video | improv | electronics
Music also on Bandcamp: http://adamscottneal.bandcamp.com

Rivermist (violin, horn, piano, 2015)

adam scott neal

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