This was my favorite piece on the AFB Departures CD! Great piece, bravo! The band nailed it

Next Generation

This original composition for concert band is the title track for The United States Air Force Band's CD "Departures," released December 2, 2014. 

"Departures" premiered on March 7, 2014 at the American Bandmasters Association convention in Montgomery AL, with Col. Larry Lang conducting The US Air Force Band.

Departures, for Band (2014)

Dennis Hoffmann, Steel Drums, Bottles, Kick Drum
Shawn Galvin, Vibraphone, Kick Drum 
Learn more about Missy Mazzoli here: missymazzoli.com

Volume - Missy Mazzoli

The name in itself is somewhat of an oxymoron. It's a kind of medieval dance that's traditionally faster and more upbeat, but slowed down to a relaxing tempo. It's dumb, hope you enjoy.

Saltarello Rilassato

Mighty Have Fallen  FULL

Mechanika

Shine Like The Sun

Live recording from the world premiere of Lesions (2017) for clarinet, French horn and cello.
Performers: Paul Dean (clarinet), Peter Luff (horn), Trish O'Brien (cello)
Conservatorium Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
November 12, 2017 

Program notes:
Lesions was commissioned by Paul Dean for Ensemble Q and was written for Paul Dean, Trish O’Brien and Peter Luff.
The term “lesions” refers to regions in organs and tissue which have suffered damage through injury or disease, such as a wound, ulcer, abscess or tumour. I first heard this term in 2004, when my mother (age 42 at that time) was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis. While she had suffered from many disturbing, unexplainable and painful symptoms for sixteen years prior to that, the diagnosis of MS did not bring us any relief or closure.

Virtually every family has a loved one who is suffering or suffered from an incurable illness. While this is a very heavy subject, I believe it is definitely worth talking about, for two simple reasons:

1.	To show those who are affected that they are not alone and that there are millions of people in the world who are going through similar struggles;
2.	To remind those lucky few who have not been affected that we have to keep looking for cures every day.

Lesions is written in four parts that represent four most common stages of dealing with incurable illness: Sadness, Anxiety, Denial and finally Acceptance. The absence of a pause between the last two movements has an extra-musical meaning: though denial and acceptance are antithetical states of mind, many patients find themselves stuck between these two for a long time, sometimes for the rest of their lives. The new reality is too difficult to accept, yet the symptoms are just as difficult to deny.

On this photo: my mum holding me, about 2 years before MS came into our lives...

Lesions (2017) for clarinet, horn and cello

I compose and arrange music, mostly for concert band. My work is published by Excelcia, Carl Fischer, and Pro Jazz Charts. I'm the former chief composer-arranger for The US Air Force Band in Washington DC, having served from 1994 to 2014.

Departures, for Band (2014)

ItsOnlyBob

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Anthony O'Toole

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