I finally recorded my "Super Mario Bros" Suite for trumpets! I've performed this twice at Syracuse, and for some reason in the 7 years it has existed I had not thought to multitrack this. All parts played by me, enjoy!

Super Mario Suite - Trumpet Quartet

This is a transcription I did of "Dogs of War" from the Medal of Honor: European Assault soundtrack. What a wonderful piece of music, and this is a 6-part multitrack with me playing all parts. 

Dogs of War - Main Title (Trumpet Sextet)

This piece is based on the idea of an afternoon hike through the forested mountains. The picture in my mind comes from looking out to the west at the gorgeous sunsets from the highest point in Centreville, Virginia from my time living there. The idea is not necessarily the grand majesty of a scenic picture, however. It is more of an introspective journey that one may encounter when on such a hike in the woods. It is during these times that we might start to really appreciate what is around us, removed from the hustly and bustle of everyday life. I've always found these experiences to be quite relaxing and calming, so that is the mood I tried to depict in this piece. 

Writing for the bass trombone was actually more of a challenge than I anticipated. I wanted to create something that was more bass trombone-specific. My experiences with the instrument have been more about power and force than delicate melodic lines. It can have quite a nice sound to it, even up towards the higher register, so that is what I leaned towards in writing the piece. Don't fear though, there are still a couple of loud, low notes to enjoy. 

An Afternoon in the Mountains was premiered on April 6, 2014 in the DeLaski Performance Space at George Mason University. The piece was commissioned by Andrew Comparin. 

An Afternoon In The Mountains

I decided to have a go at transcribing and recording the Credits music from Super Mario Galaxy for 6 trumpets. I'm very happy with the final result! 

Mario Galaxy Credits - for six trumpets

Sounds of the Wilderness (2015) was a commission by former classmate and colleague Buddy Deshler who approached five composers based out of the Northern Virginia area to write pieces for solo trumpet with various accompanying ensembles. The idea was to expand the trumpet repertoire while also giving up-and-coming composers a chance to showcase their music in a concert of premieres. 

The inspiration for this piece was found on a camping trip I took with one of my long-time childhood friends, Scott Summers, into the forests of Goose Creek State Park in eastern North Carolina. As I walked through the forest out onto the banks of the Pamlico River I couldn't help but marvel at the serenity and sense of isolation one gets when removed from this technology-filled world we live in. Granted, we were not far from civilization, but these momentary reminders that there is more in the world than what we find on our screens become ever more beautiful to me. 

I chose the string quartet for its lush texture and great flexibility in choices it gives a composer. The first movement represents the isolation I was feeling while on the trip, while the second movement represents the actual melodic ideas going through my mind while walking through the forests.

Sounds of the Wilderness was selected for performance at the 2017 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Hershey, PA as part of their New Works Recital.

Sounds of the Wilderness

Fanfare and Interlude was written in 2009 for the Syracuse University Trumpet Ensemble. This recording was a multitrack recording done by the composer playing all 6 parts

Fanfare and Interlude - Multitrack Version

First full piece from playing around with FamiTracker. Clearly inspired by Mega Man and Shovel Knight. Hoping to continue learning the program and making more music in this style!

The part that loops could loop infinitely.

NES Sample #1

This work was commissioned by a dear friend I grew up with back in New Jersey, Christopher Hess. The idea of writing a piece for solo horn and piano had been something we had talked about for a few years, and it finally came to fruition with the scheduling of his senior recital. 
The first challenge about writing the piece was trying to write the horn in a way that it would not be covered up by the piano. The challenge of writing for an instrument whose bell faces away from the audience was more daunting than I anticipated. Range and accuracy also tend to be an issue on the horn, so taking that all into consideration was a lot different from writing a piece for, say, solo violin. 
The title, "The Crusader," is actually an inside joke between Chris and I, but the three movements try to convey just a short adventure of a caped crusader trying to end death forever. 


The Crusader

This piece was written in 2008 during my time at Syracuse University. Looking out at campus and the city is quite a gorgeous sight, especially in the winter. I would look out from a large hill, named Mount Olympus, and just gaze out into the scenic horizon and imagine what it would be like to walk through the forests and hills that surround the campus and the city. 
	The string quartet is the perfect ensemble to convey this sense of serene nature. The range of textures and colors that the string quartet is able to achieve is unparalleled by any other ensemble of its size. The piece itself is based around quartal harmonies, or harmony based on fourths. This gives the harmonic language of the piece quite a bit of tension, and the moments that the tensions release are somewhat magical. 

Through a Wintry Landscape

Shades of Gold (2012), for clarinet, violin, and cello, was written for the first-ever George Mason 24-hour Composition Challenge. Each composer drew participating performers out of a hat, and had 12 hours to write a piece using that instrumentation. The performers then had 12 hours to rehearse the piece, with the recital scheduled for the end of the 24-hour block of time. 
	Writing a piece in this short amount of time was a very challenging task, and inspiration had to come very quickly. The inspiration for this piece had to come quickly, so I drew from something very close to me, my pet cat, Buddy. The idea of a curious cat wandering through the house piqued my interest, shown through the pizzicato sections through the piece. The work serves now as sort of a remembrance of him, having passed on earlier this school year. 
	This work was premiered on April 21, 2012 as part of the GMU 24-hour Composition Challenge. 

This recording is from my Masters Composition Recital

Shades of Gold

At Dawn (2011) took about three years to develop into the form that it exists in now. While at Syracuse, my private instructor approached me about writing a piece for a Pierrot ensemble. The instruments include a flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. I began writing the piece with a short two-note motif. The piece developed into a very segmented work, so I shelved the project for a while until I had the time and the mindset to continue composing and essentially re-work the entire piece. 
	Two years later, after arriving in Fairfax, I decided it was time to finish this piece that I had started. I had a feeling of incompleteness about myself since the piece was just stagnant and uninspired. I started composing again with that same two-note motif, and instead of trying to force a fast section into the work, I started to develop it as a flowing slow movement for chamber ensemble. 
	The title, “At Dawn,” comes from my morning drives into campus, watching the sunrise as the dew sits on the grass. The piece fades into the distance just as the moon fades into the sunlight. 

This is the premiere recording from my Masters Recital. 

At Dawn

Written by John Williams, from the motion picture "Empire of the Sun"
Arrangement by Stefan Schuck

Multitrack Recording:
Stefan Schuck - trumpets
Christopher Hess - french horns
Drew Comparin - trombones, bass trombone
Bryce Owen - tuba

Toyplanes, Home, and Hearth

Stefan Schuck (b.1988) is an American composer whose works have been premiered across the United States, and his lyrical style is prevalent through most of his works. He has recently been commissioned by various performers and performing ensembles, including the Kansas City Horn Club and the Westfield High School Band. His movement of a collaborative work, When Petals Fall, for brass quintet and wind ensemble, was written to commemorate the 125th annual Tournament of Roses Parade. He has also written numerous chamber and solo works that have been performed and premiered at various venues across the east coast. 

Mr. Schuck holds a Masters degree (M.M) in composition from George Mason University and a Bachelors degree (B.M.) in composition from Syracuse University. During his studies he was recognized at both institutions for his achievement, receiving the Irene L. Crooker Award for excellence in music from Syracuse, and the Achievement Award in Graduate Study of Music from George Mason. Teachers of composition include Mark Camphouse, Dr. Daniel Godfrey, Dr. Jesse Guessford, Dr. Andrew Waggoner, Dr. Nicolas Scherzinger, and Gregory Mertl. Stefan is also a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composer, Authors and Publishers) and SCI (Society of Composers, Inc.). 

As a trumpet player, Stefan has performed in such venues as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ and the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, VA. He was selected to the 2005 Hershey’s All-USA High School Band, and has performed solo and in a featured brass quintet with the Syracuse University Wind Ensemble. While at Mason, Stefan was selected to the Mason Brass Quintet as a scholarship player. Stefan has studied trumpet with Gabriel DiMartino, Daniel Sapochetti, and John Tumminia. 

During his graduate study, Stefan served on the teaching faculty at the Potomac Arts Academy in Fairfax, VA, teaching class composition. He was also the Marketing Coordinator for the Mason Symphony Orchestra for their 2012-13 season. Stefan spent three years as a teaching assistant in Ear Training while at Syracuse University, and currently teaches composition, trumpet, and aural skills privately. 



Stefan Schuck

Popular tracks