This soft beginning is absolutely gorgeous

Turbo Scramjet for Saxophone Quartet

I wrote this track for a live puppet show by Dragon Theater (www.dragontheater.com)  I finally upgraded my instrument library to the Hollywood Series by EastWest, and the difference is incredible!  I'm no longer afraid to write a string melody, or a solo instrument (like the oboe in this piece.)  This track started with some improvisational "aquatic" piano arpeggios.  My inspirations were John Williams and Thomas Newman.

Underwater Adventure

New beats, better notes, better sounds -- this is a rewrite of the Doctor Who front ensemble etude I made a couple years ago. 

I got so many requests to use it and play it, but it was never meant to be playable. Now it is. [Parts and score not yet available, though]

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This is "I Am the Doctor" from the new-series Doctor Who soundtrack, arranged for front ensemble as an ensemble tune/warmup.

Here is the original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7VmOZ4Ppj8

Doctor Who logo and music are copyright BBC, obviously.

"I Am The Doctor" from Doctor Who (for Front Ensemble)

Chase Holfelder, a very talented singer, made this awesome video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_PtnvVQhqA) of the Star Spangled Banner being sung in a minor key (instead of major). One commenter suggested that it would be awesome to hear it with a heavy metal backing. I agreed, thus this version was made. Enjoy!

Chase Holfelder - Star Spangled Banner in Minor Key (Metal Version)

Demo Recording as part of the ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop 2015 in Los Angeles. 

Composed and orchestrated by Stefan French, 2015. www.stefanfrench.com

Recorded at 20th Century Fox on the Newman Scoring Stage with the Hollywood Studio Symphony.

Scoring Mixer: Armin Steiner
Music Editor: Michael Ryan
Score Readers: Richard Bellis, Dave Slonaker
Orchestral Contractor: Peter Rotter
Music Preparation: Joann Kane Music Services

Special thanks to Richard Bellis, Mike Todd, Jennifer Harmon, Patrick Clancy, Yvette Mtz, and all those who generously gave their time and expertise over the duration of the workshop.

8M1 - I'm Sorry, My Friend

“It is true that life is difficult, but if it were not difficult we would not have a story worth telling.” 

-Anthony Flaherty

On September 12, 2012, one of my dearest friends, Anthony Flaherty, took his own life at his home.

I got the call at an ice cream social. A mutual friend told me the details. I didn’t believe her, so I called his phone. A family friend answered and confirmed. I rushed to the 3rd floor of the campus fine arts center: that’s where the pianos are. The piano has always been the medium by which I could feel. Unadulterated feeling.

The power of music.

For many hours I felt sorry for myself. I let my head lie on the keys. I prayed to God and asked for comfort through this situation. I didn’t understand it, and knew I probably never would. I let my right hand fall in the top register of the keys. My hand fell on a harmony of enlightenment and comfort to me: a mix of a major chord and suspension, completeness and confusion.

Through this chord, I feel like God gifted me with a vignette of peace.

I am happy to honor Anthony through a namesake piece. Anthony was a one of a kind friend: loving and compassionate to all, supportive, hilarious, and eccentric. He was passionate about young people finding their voices through public service. He was a generation or two removed. He listened to Frank Sinatra, loved The Golden Girls, wore sock suspenders, and had wisdom beyond his years. A true friend.

His suicide shocked his family and friends.

I struggled (and continue to struggle) to understand his decision. Flaher is my attempt.

Flaher (pronounced “flare”) explores the melodies and harmonic fabrics through the Flaher chord. An alto flute—A.F., his initials—is used to express his voice. Musical “flares” in the percussion show the ebb and flow of life, and are used at the conclusion as explosions of life.

I celebrate the memories, friendship, crazy shenanigans, and his playful personality. I explore Anthony’s pain of coming to this decision, and then the converse effect of grief for those he left behind. A celebration of life is built from the network of love communicated by those who remember and love Anthony.

We are all connected to a story of loss. But it is important to celebrate the beauty of life. It is important to talk about touchy subjects. If we can’t feel and express openly, we are not alive.

Flaher is Anthony’s story. And his is a story worth telling.

Flaher for wind ensemble (2015)

official demo for ProjectSAMs new samplelibrary "Orchestral Essentials"

Ginnungagap - ProjectSAM Orchestral Essentials

Movie trailer music

Composed by Alex Yoder, recorded by the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra.

http://www.twitter.com/alex_yoder
http://www.alexyoder.net

Flaher for wind ensemble (2015)

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