A wild race around the Arctic for Gerald and his friends!

An Arctic Farce - film score (2021)

Everyone loves a good m[air]itime song. 

Who says it always has to be about the sea?

Sky Shanty - film score (2021)

A theme I have been working with in several other pieces. 

This cue is very short, but it is only meant to span the length of a title card sequence in the original film.

Title Card Jig - film score (2021)

A short transition cue for the film where we see the sun slowly rise over the horizon as Gerald and his friends arrive in Ireland.

Sunrise Over Ireland - film score (2021)

Early in my studies at SFA, I was assigned to create an “Old Man River”-style tune, meaning that I was challenged to write a relatively short piece of music that maintained the same rhythmic idea throughout. After studying Aaron Copland in detail and drawing on Celtic musical influences from my youth, I chose to meld the two together. 

The initial eight-measure phase is repeated several times throughout the piece, but it is varied by a few key modulations, some melodic alterations and a bit of a Copland writing style woven into the fabric of the melody. The pentatonic scale is usually maintained throughout, but some notes here and there will stick out, giving the piece a bit more flavor. I am pleased with the overall effect of the piece and I find it helpful to know that rhythmic repetition in music is not to hard of a challenge. My hope is that A Morning in Ireland will evoke thoughts of wakening to a pleasant morning in Ireland, eager to enjoy life’s splendors. 

A Morning in Ireland - for piano (2008)

My film cues for the SFA School of Film's 2008 production, "All Good Years."

Lots of silent scheming taking place in this scene between two quirky characters; time to shine for the composer - just not too much.

[4m3] Planning The Big Capture - film score (2008)

My film cues for the SFA Film School's 2008 production, "All Good Years."

A long dialogue-heavy scene that needed cartoonish underscoring to move it along.

[3m3] Stalling At The Door - film score (2008)

Sometimes you just need some intro music for your friend's cooking show, you know?

Cooking Show Bumper - for jazz band (2020)

It's time for this year's Weekend Film Challenge!

Once again, I can have no idea what will be happening on-screen, but I was given a few plot elements for this scene, (one of which involves cheese?)

Anyway, I gave it my best with the time I had. Enjoy!

I Was Told There Would Be Cheese - film score (2020)

I originally had an idea for a string quartet back in late 2007 that I wrote down while it was snowing outside one day... but I never completely finished it.

My college schedule became hectic very quickly and this one just got shelved for a long time. I always wanted to revisit it, but I just never felt like I could give the attention it commanded... until today.

After some much-needed score maintenance and some minor edits to voicing and dynamic balance, I felt that it was worthy of sharing.

Envision waking up to an unexpected snow day and immediately running outside to enjoy the day off!

Snow Day - for string quartet (2020)

A little mouse on a big adventure...

With a little help from some friends, Gerald sails into the sky toward his next destination.

Russell D. Cannon

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