Category Archives: Performances

3 World Premieres!

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This will be an amazing few weeks!

Mezzo soprano Shelley Waite will sing the world premiere of “Advent Trilogy” in a concert at the First Baptist Church of Morristown, Tennessee on Sunday evening, March 8th. Thanks to dear friends Mark and Johanna Hostetter for arranging for the invitation and to Dr. Dean Haun, Senior Pastor, and John Greene, Worship Pastor, for believing in the music!

Megumi Kanda will perform the world premiere of Red Dragonfly, Sonata for Trombone and Band with The United States Army Band on March 21 during the American Trombone Festival. She premiered the original version for trombone and piano at the International Trombone Festival in 2013, and when The US Army band asked her to perform with them, she asked me if I thought it would work for band… I said, yes! The concert is free and open to the public, get there early, it will be full.

Professional clarinetist Anna Najoom introduced my 3 movement “New Dancing Shoes” to her fabulous Chicago-based Sapphire Woodwind Quintet, and they have decided to program it for their April 3rd concert in Chicago!

It is thrilling to have such great artists present these compositions. Thanks to all the performers and all the listeners! I hope to have some of these up on YouTube for you all to enjoy soon.

 

Amy Mills’ Music at the International Women’s Brass Conference

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I am honored and delighted to have two of my major works programmed by two wonderful artists at featured recitals at this year’s IWBC!

Dr. Natalie Mannix of Towson University has chosen to perform the first movement of “Red Dragonfly, Sonata for Trombone and Piano.”  Thanks for sharing the piece on this international stage!

And Amy McCabe of the US Marine Band will perform the live world premiere of “Journey One, Concerto for Solo Trumpet.”  Thanks Amy McCabe, for your courage and vision!  http://www.iwbc2014.com/2013/02/12/amy-mccabe/

Red Dragonfly grounded at Towson, flew at West Virginia University…Heading East.

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My sincere thanks go to Dr. Natalie Mannix of Towson University for selecting “Red Dragonfly, Sonata for Trombone and Piano” for your recitals at Towson University and West Virginia University!

While we were disappointed that one of the snowstorms grounded the Dragonfly and cancelled the recital in Towson, I am honored and delighted that Dr. Mannix has chosen to play the first movement on her featured recital at the International Women’s Brass Conference!

Thanks Natalie!

Megumi Kanda’s Stunning World Premiere of “Red Dragonfly”

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“Red Dragonfly” took flight and soared in its world premiere at the International Trombone Festival in Columbus, Georgia in June.

Megumi Kanda, Principal Trombone of the Milwaukee Symphony, and commissioner of the piece, played a spectacular, flawless performance in the world premiere…despite a small incident where, after the dramatic first movement, her water key fell off her slide!  Yes, that was, fell off.  Thankfully, a trombonist in the audience had the same make of instrument, so he ran and got his slide for her.  Megumi invited me to the stage to fill time, so I told the audience about the genesis of the piece.  In only a few minutes, the new slide was in place and she was able to continue.  After a tender second movement and a joyful final movement, the audience gave her a long and enthusiastic ovation…. a wonderful beginning of a fabulous recital, congratulations and thank you Megumi!

Thanks everyone, for your wonderful comments about the piece!  And special thanks go to Dennis Klophaus of Anthem Works Publishing who hosted the music for “Red Dragonfly” at his table.  We sold copies to people who live on three continents, so “Red Dragonfly” is going worldwide, thanks to all of you who will be performing it in the future!