**Consortium performance by Justin Weis (euphonium) and Sophia Lo (vibraphone) at the University of North Texas**

CYCLES is the result of a consortium for tuba and vibraphone (and a version for euphonium and vibraphone) written in memory of Dr. Doug Whitten, professor of tuba and euphonium at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. The consortium was led by tubist and former student of Doug, Johnathan De Soto Jr. CYCLES consists of two movements. The first movement, “The Gifts that Life Brings”, was inspired by the stories I was told by those who knew Doug, describing him as kind, accepting, selfless, loving, among many other things. This movement also represents Doug’s love for tuba, and music in general, by revolving around an ethereal chord progression and melody that develops and transforms over time. The second movement, “Embrace the Grind” is up-tempo and energetic, representing Doug’s love for cycling and roller derby. It also contains a slower, more flowing B section, as if momentarily stopping a cycle ride to admire the beautiful Kansan sunset.

Sheet music available here: https://www.ianlestermusic.com/store/p25/CYCLES_%282022%29_for_Tuba_%28or_Euphonium%29_and_Vibraphone.html

Copyright © 2022 Ian Lester

CYCLES (Euphonium and Vibraphone version)

Premiere recording by Brent Mead.
Recording engineer/mixing/mastering by Ben Baker 

S0c1AL was written in 2022 for Brent Mead as part of his grant-based project to commission several new works for trombone that all were to relate to issues, disorders, and traumas that many people face. The project is aimed towards younger people in an effort to show through music that these negativities in life can be dealt with and managed in a healthy way, and more importantly, to show that there are others who have faced similar obstacles; you are not alone. S0c1AL deals with the topic of social anxiety, a type of anxiety disorder, that many people, including myself, struggle with to some extent. Social anxiety is persistent and makes it difficult to do things such as meet new people, develop new relationships, and attend social gatherings. Furthermore, someone with social anxiety may fear that they are being judged by others and feel helpless to control these feelings. S0c1AL is a through-composed work that consists of three main thematic sections:

I. There are Almost 8 Billion People on This Planet, yet I Feel so Alone: This first section portrays the constant pendulum of emotions associated with social anxiety. One is fearful of being around others, yet simultaneously yearns for friendship. This inner conflict is represented frequent shifting between “bright” and “dark” melodic and harmonic structures in both the solo trombone part and the backing track. Optional pedals used: Reverb, Octave, and Delay.

II. Risk with a Side of Self-doubt: This movement represents the anxiety, fear, and questions that arise when approaching someone new: “What should I say? What if they think I’m weird? Do I make small talk?” Optional pedals used: Overdrive and Chorus.

III. Free: Finally, this optimistic movement represents the relief and weight off the shoulders when one successfully makes a new friend. Optional pedals used: Reverb.

Sheet music available here: https://www.ianlestermusic.com/store/p34/S0c1AL_-_for_trombone%2C_fixed_media%2C_and_optional_guitar_pedals.html

Copyright © 2022 Ian Lester

S0c1AL - for trombone, fixed media, and optional guitar pedals

L'Blatinx by Adolphus Hailstork (arranged for euphonium trio with permission from the publisher)

Performed by The Troubled Euphs at the 2024 Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Originally commissioned by Northwest Passage Trumpet Trio, Adolphus Hailstork's thrilling work L'Blatinx makes use of the term BLatinx—a combination of Black and Latinx.  This dissonant, blues-filled work utilizes foot-stomping inspired by Black traditions from New Orleans, has a Mariachi feel, and uses Latin rhythms throughout.

You can purchase the original version of L'Blatinx for 3 Trumpets in C (both the high brass and low brass versions) here: https://www.presser.com/114-42244-l-27blatinx.html

L'Blatinx - Adolphus Hailstork

Performed by The Troubled Euphs at the 2024 Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Against All Odds was written for the Troubled Euphs euphonium trio in late 2022. The work was inspired by the many cases throughout history of people surviving the seemingly un-survivable. Two specific instances that came to mind were the separate stories of Kamel Abdel Rahman and Phineas Gage. Both were impaled through the head in horrific accidents yet survived against all odds.

Sheet music available here: www.ianlestermusic.com/store/p32/Aga…ium_Trio.html

Copyright © 2023 Ian Lester

Against All Odds - Ian Lester

Premiere performance by the 2024 KC Trombone Workshop conducted by Grant Morgan

Infinity is a piece for trombone ensemble (sextet) commissioned by the KC Trombone Workshop in the Spring of 2024. Infinity is dedicated to loved ones of all kinds. I am fortunate to have loving parents, an amazing sister, and a wonderful extended family, all of whom have supported me in many ways throughout my music career. The title of the piece is directly inspired by my parents, who frequently told me “I love you infinity” when I was a young child. I encourage performers to think of someone (or something) they care for deeply when playing Infinity and channel that warmth and love into the music.

Sheet music available here: https://www.ianlestermusic.com/store/p43/Infinity_%282024%29_-_for_Trombone_Sextet.html

Infinity - for trombone ensemble

The Troubled Euphs is a euphonium trio founded in 2021 by Drew Leslie, Dr. Ian Lester, and Jared Sherman, all students at the University of Missouri – Kansas City at the time of the ensemble’s inception. The trio's objective is to commission, promote, and perform new repertoire for euphonium trio and demonstrate the unique strengths and capabilities of their instrumentation. Within the first two and a half years of their existence, the trio has commissioned ten new works for the medium, several of which were composed by local Kansas City-area composers. The trio has been recognized for their talents and musicianship, earning a 4th place finish at the North American Brass Band Association chamber ensemble competition, and being invited as semi-finalists for the small ensemble competition at the 2023 International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Tempe, Arizona, where they received 4th place. Most recently, the Troubled Euphs have been invited to perform at the South Central Regional Tuba Euphonium conference at the University of Memphis as well as the Southeast Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at Middle Tennessee State University.