Been trying to get this one right. Another song from my play (music theater), ALL THOSE STRANGE YEARS. 

Reckless Rider, Stan Shawnee Boyd, 2-24-14

But be careful how you speak

To Lucy was commissioned by Stacey Barelos and written as a birthday present to my niece, Lucy Moore, just as she was turning 2. The piece is in three movements: 

I. Lucy Explores
II. Lucy Plays
III. Lucy Dreams

The first movement's musical material is from a recording of Lucy on her toy keyboard. I took what Lucy played, wrote it down, and used those gestures as the starting point for the movement. 

The second movement is a depiction of what it may or may not sound like when a toddler is presented with the opportunity to bash away on a piano's keys. 

The third movement is a lullaby. Brahms may or may not show up.

Performer: Stacey Barelos - toy piano.

To Lucy - for Toy Piano

Performed on April 16th, 2017 by Nick Dinucci at CSULA Music Hall.

New Mexico

New Mexico (live performance)

The premiere recording of A Soldier's Memory:

Conductor - Hector Guzman
Ensemble - Irving Symphony Orchestra
Composer - Christian James Jesse
Premiere Date - 11/3/2018 @ Irving Arts Center

Program Notes:
After each tour of duty, every soldier has a range of emotions and thoughts racing through his or her head as the make the trip home. A Soldier’s Memory explores a few of those emotions including feelings of heroism, memories of being reunited and PTSD flashbacks. I wanted to share my love and support of our nation’s military by telling a more realistic story rather than an idealized victorious celebration. Coming from a family of many veterans, I am honored to write a piece remembering our nation’s veterans’ stories. A Soldier’s Memory was commissioned by Maestro Hector Guzman for the Irving Symphony Orchestra as part of the SMU-Irving Symphony Orchestra Student Composer-in-Residence program for the 2018-2019 Concert Season. A Soldier’s Memory premiered on November 3rd, 2018 at the Irving Arts Center by the Irving Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Hector Guzman.

Purchase Score Here: https://christianjesse.com/a-soldiers-memory

A Soldier's Memory - November 3rd, 2018 Premiere

Kirsten Ashley Wiest, soprano
Kyle Adam Blair, piano
world premiere performance
5 November 2018
UC San Diego Recital Hall

kirsten's Album

Gérard Pape: Being Beauteous (world premiere)

Anthony Donofrio - Marimba

It's been a long time since I've written a piece with electronics. For this piece, my goal was to create a very thin fabric of sound - something that could be pierced if not too careful. There may be some changes to the electronics in the future, but we'll see.

Please Stop Shouting - for marimba and electronics

I composed this three-minute segment of a silent film for the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival (the fade out music belongs to another composer's three-minute segment).

The Boat

Feast of the Sunrise

Shawnee, composition, cornet, keyboard and percussion.
Image, oil and mixed media on canvas, 18"x26", Shawnee.

But be careful how you speak

Samara Rice