Recorded by Naked Rock Fight for their second album, "Rock Beats Scissors"

Rock Beats Scissors

Diminishing Returns (for Naked Rock Fight)

Recorded by Naked Rock Fight for their first album "Paper Beats Rock".

Keever's Blues (for Naked Rock Fight)

Recorded by Naked Rock Fight for their first album "Paper Beats Rock"

The Moneyshot (for Naked Rock Fight)

The Night Owl (for Naked Rock Fight)

"Andante for Winds" is a piece written for interchangeable woodwind ensemble. It was composed as a free resource for middle school students in the Saint Louis Metro 8 District to perform at the Middle School Solo & Ensemble Festival.

Andante For Winds

“Adventure Awaits!” is an exciting, cinematic piece that was written with the average high school-level band or advanced middle school band in mind. The piece begins with a brass fanfare, followed by a fast section of powerful statements from all parts of the band. The piece transitions into a slow, lyrical section that eventually builds to a triumphant climax. The piece ultimately returns to the fast section and concludes with a dramatic bang. The piece is meant to convey the anticipation of embarking on a new and exciting adventure in life.

Composed in 2017 by Matt McKeever. Copyright 2017 Matt McKeever Music.

"Adventure Awaits!" for Concert Band (Grade 2.5)

"The Friendly Beasts" is an arrangement of a Medieval French melody entitled "Orientis Partibus". With lyrics invoking the spirit of Christmas, this piece would be a great for a winter or holiday program. This is a great teaching piece, as it allows players to experience the less-common time signature of 3/4, and ranges are suitable for second-year players.

Arranged in 2019 by Matt McKeever.

"The Friendly Beasts" for Concert Band (Grade 1.5)

Opportunity, also known as Mars Exploration Rover B, is a robotic rover that was active on Mars from 2004 to 2018. Launched on July 7, 2003, it landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, 2004, three weeks after its twin Spirit touched down on the other side of the planet. With a planned lifespan of 90-sol, or 90 Mars days, Opportunity was able to stay operational for an astounding 5,111 sols, exceeding its operating plan by over 14 years. By the time it last contacted NASA, the rover had traveled over 28 miles on the Red Planet.

The Opportunity mission is considered one of NASA's most successful ventures. Mission highlights include finding extramartian meteorites, exploring and studying Victoria Crater, and reaching Endeavour Crater in 2011. Due to planetary dust storm on Mars, Opportunity ceased communications on June 10, 2018. On February 13, 2019, NASA declared that the Opportunity mission was complete, after the spacecraft had failed to respond to all signals sent over the previous six months.

Throughout the history of space exploration, we have had to face several tragic failures or near disasters, including Columbia, Challenger, and Apollo 13. Opportunity represents a resounding success that deserves accolades and celebration. This fanfare is dedicated to the men and women back here on Earth who made Opportunity’s historic run possible. In recognition of Opportunity’s historic 5,111 sols on Mars, the opening motif stated first by the trumpets and used throughout the piece is the scale degree pattern “5-1-1-1”. 

Composed in 2019 by Matt McKeever.

"Fanfare for Opportunity" for Concert Band (Grade 3)

“Sugarloaf Samba” is a piece written in the samba/bossa nova style that is meant to teach younger students the style. Ranges are appropriate for advanced middle school or early high school students, and all rhythm section parts are notated with chord changes. The piece features melody opportunities for all wind players, an extended sax soli, and a solo section that can be adapted and opened up for any member of the band. An overall enjoyable piece for both young and experienced ensembles!

Composed in 2019 by Matt McKeever.

"Sugarloaf Samba" for Jazz Band (Medium Easy)

“Scuttlebutt” was originally written in 2017 for my original jazz project Night Howler. I later brough it in to play with the group Naked Rock Fight, and in 2019, created this arrangement for large jazz ensemble. The piece is written in the style of a New Orleans “street-beat”, also referred to as “second line”. To understand this style, listen to New Orleans-based brass bands, such as Rebirth Brass Band. The groove is very reliant on the drums and bass. Execute your notes and rhythms precisely, but don’t be afraid to play with some funky swagger by adding tasteful scoops and glisses.

Matt McKeever Music

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