My Path From Band Hall to Full-Time Composer
Voyage Austin ran a profile on me this week. Nine years as a band director at Cedar Park High School, the leap into composing full-time, writing for the Santa Clara Vanguard, and what it's actually like running the creative and business sides of this life at the same...
Making Space for Yourself: A Band Director’s Guide to Staying Energized
You arrived in this field because music matters and young people matter. You plan shows, rehearse long hours, troubleshoot logistics, and guide students through growth. But what if your own battery is running low—and you’re not even aware of it?Taking time to...
Marching Band: Sport or Art? Why Great Marching Band Shows Are Both
Is marching band a sport or an art? The answer most directors already feel in their bones is: yes. The best marching band shows demand the discipline of athletics and the nuance of performing arts—strength, stamina, precision, expression, storytelling, and teamwork,...
The Hidden Cost of Cutting Marching Band Programs
Marching band is one of the most visible programs in a school district. Instruments, uniforms, travel, and staff stipends appear clearly in the budget. When financial pressure hits, it's often seen as an easy place to cut. That visibility creates a misleading picture....
New Marching Band Show for 2026: “Frozen in Time”
Award-winning marching band show featuring the music of Sergei Prokofiev, Mykola Leontovych, and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky!
Conquering Imposter Syndrome as a Composer: How to Beat the Blank Page and Create with Confidence
Every composer knows the feeling: you sit down to write, full of ideas, but the blank page stares back. And somewhere between the staff lines and self-doubt, a quiet voice whispers, “Who am I to write this?” That voice — the one that questions your worth, your talent,...
New Marching Band Show for 2026: “Wayfarers”
Award-winning marching band show featuring the music of Frank Ticheli, Pat Metheny, Philip Glass, and Tchaikovsky!
Four New Works Selected as J.W. Pepper Editor’s Choice for 2026–2027
There’s always a little uncertainty when releasing new music into the world. You spend months shaping ideas, refining details, imagining how students and audiences might respond, and then eventually the pieces leave your desk and begin their own lives in rehearsal...
10 Life-Changing Benefits of Marching Band: Why Every Student Should Join
If you’ve ever wondered whether marching band shows are worth your child’s time, the answer is simple: absolutely. Marching band isn’t just about halftime performances or contests — it’s about growth, belonging, and confidence. From building discipline to boosting...
New Marching Band Show for 2026: “Through Darkened Streets”
Award-winning marching band show featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein, David Raskin, and Bernard Hermann!
New Marching Band Show for 2026: “Perplex”
Award-winning marching band show featuring the music of Berend Salverda, Steve Reich, Max Richter, and Peter Graham!
Podcast: The Story Behind My Career as a Composer
I recently had the chance to sit down with Jason K. Nitsch on the Composer Chats podcast, and it turned into one of those conversations that goes way beyond surface-level “composer talk.” We got into my path from the classroom to full-time composing, what I’ve learned...