Score and parts available for purchase at www.amalgampublishing.net

Queen Bess  was composed in 2018 as a way to honor the extraordinary life of Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman (1892-1926), who overcame the tremendous obstacles of her time in order to become the first African American female pilot in American history.

Queen Bess (Wes Stephens)

Score and parts available for purchase at www.amalgampublishing.net

Four African Dances was composed in 2006 while the composer was a student at Missouri Western State University. The work is through composed and has four sections, each with their own distinct personality. This visceral work for percussion septet is perfect for closing a recital or percussion ensemble concert.

Performed by Sheena Richardson, Von Best, Alexander Gooding, Brian Kushmaul, Dareem Chandler, Raven Urquart, and Tamba Gwindi at the University of Trinidad and Tobago on May 16th,  2014.

2014 Degree Recital

Four African Dances by Wes Stephens

Score available for purchase at www.amalgampublishing.net

Program Notes

An invitation to write for solo tenor pan from the virtuosic pan soloist, Jason Baskin, was an irresistible challenge. The title, My Mind’s Attic, suggests a mental attic where a jumble of ideas waited to be chosen and then shaped into six movements. The six movement titles are not quite programs, but they do give the listener a handle for listening: “Flowering Cherry” is about elegant gestures. “Playful” describes the mood and character of playfulness. “Lyrical Clowning” explores the idea of lyrical melodies with a touch of humorous clowning. “Buzz Rattle Sparkle” takes advantage of the pan’s ability to buzz, rattle, and sparkle. “My Clock Runs Strangely” presents incongruous musical gestures that fit together like a clock that runs, but not quite correctly. “Yin Yang” is about opposites.

—Robert Martin

Truman State University New Music Festival 2012

My Mind's Attic by Robert Martin

Score and parts available for purchase at www.amalgampublishing.net

The Politicians is a humorous parody on politics written in a march style. Quirky percussion parts serve to highlight the comical nature of the piece. A special thanks to the Truman and Bode Middle School Bands of St. Joseph, MO for the wonderful recording.

The Politicians

The Politicians by Wes Stephens

Score and parts available for purchase at www.amalgampublishing.net

Luna’s Tea Party is a fun Basie-style swing chart that can be done with as few as 9 players (3 Saxes, 2 Trumpets, 1 Trombone, Piano, Bass Drums) and also features optional parts for flute an clarinet. The piano and bass parts are fully written out to help younger players.

Luna's Tea Party by Wes Stephens

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