Smoke Screen is a fanfare for winds and percussion that would fit best opening or closing a concert program. Recurring, contrary-motion woodwind flourishes combined with shimmering percussive textures create a haze in and around aggressive brass lines that soar across the ensemble. A driving bass line and ride cymbal pave the way for an almost noir-like action sequence in the middle section of the work, which upon its resolution, recapitulates a percussion ensemble transition and the final fulfilling build of the piece.

Thank-you to the Norwin High School Wind Ensemble for this wonderful recording.

Smoke Screen is available to purchase from C. Alan Publications here: https://c-alanpublications.com/smoke-screen/

PC: Sergey Rumyantsev

Smoke Screen (fanfare for winds and percussion)

This recording is a MIDI mock-up of the work.

Notes from the score: Melting Clocks is a quirky romp through Salvador Dalí’s painting 'The Persistence of Memory.' Quotes of the commissioning school’s fight song and alma mater are synthesized with bending melodies, tick-tocking elements, and a unique harmonic language.

Melting Clocks is available to purchase from C. Alan Publications here: https://c-alanpublications.com/melting-clocks/

PC: Veit Schagow

Melting Clocks (for winds and percussion)

This recording is a MIDI mock-up of the work.

Notes from the score: Towards the Light was written with an unrelenting optimism towards the return of brighter days, especially after what can seem like a never-ending period of darkness. Composed as a concert closer, it is my hope that the work will inspire both audiences and performers alike to always come back to music when our hearts need a little “pick-me-up.”

Towards the Light is available to purchase from C. Alan Publications here: https://c-alanpublications.com/towards-the-light/

PC: Anna

Towards The Light (for winds and percussion)

performed by the Vox Trio:
Lindsey Goodman, alto flute
Victoria Bass, cello
Lisa Pegher, marimba

Notes from the score: Seductions for alto flute, cello, & marimba is inspired by the beautiful poetry of author Anne Carson and specifically her poem "Stanzas, Sexes, Seductions."  Each movement is my direct reflection of individual words, collections of words or phrases, and just my general feeling after internalizing the work through many readings and eventually memorization and recitation myself.

(photo credit: narendra44mail)

Seductions - 5. more things unbearable (for alto flute, cello & marimba)

Perched - duet for Drum Set & Multiple-Percussion

Stanton Moore, Drum Set 
Brett William Dietz, Percussion

Notes from the score: Perched upon each of our shoulders are the constant inner conversations of what is right vs. wrong, self-doubt vs. self-confidence, worry vs. bravery, etc… It can be paralyzing to listen too much, but also reckless to not listen at all. In writing Perched, I sought to place each performer on their (literal) throne behind a comfort zone of instruments, and compose a work that was song-like, dynamic, fun, and a break from all the mental chatter that can distract us from living this life to it’s fullest potential.

Perched was commissioned by Brett William Dietz and is dedicated to Brett and Stanton Moore.

(photo credit: flowersforthoughts)

Perched (duet for drum set & percussion)

entangled is a concert work for solo marimba and bamboo wind chimes. It is part of the composer's collection of Nocturnes for Solo Percussion.

This recording is a MIDI mock-up of the work.

(photo credit: kevin round)

entangled (solo for marimba and bamboo chimes)

This recording is a MIDI mock-up of the work.

Notes from the score: Droids on Parade is a progressive set of twelve etudes for either snare drum alone, snare drum with pedal bass drum, or for two players; as duets for snare drum & bass drum. The collection both explores different snare drum challenges & styles that today’s percussionist most certainly should be confident with, but also attempts, through the integration of alternative metronome approaches, to provide an enriching vehicle for the development of rock-solid internal pulse. The culmination of the snare, bass & metronome “live” in performance — especially the “b” options listed, will create as my son Christopher phrased: a “droids that are playing drums in a parade” sentiment.

Droids on Parade is dedicated to my long-time hero, mentor, and friend: Dr. Gary Olmstead.

(photo credit: Gille Monte Riucci)

Popular tracks by Chad Heiny