Marching Band Composing / Arranging Information

After joining the San Benito High School Marching Band in 2006, I was influenced to write music. As the first freshman on the drumline in years, I was met with the music of Key Poulan’s Labyrinth. The idea of a marching band show was one I had never experienced before, and I was floored after the first full-band rehearsal. The intricate nature of the Lydian melody in the trumpets against the countermelody of Poulan’s mellophone lines mixed with the technically-demanding battery parts changed my life. I couldn’t forget that moment.

Ever.

I toyed around with the idea of composing thereafter, but I had absolutely no idea how to recreate that same visceral feeling with my own music. I was determined to teach myself how to write music that made me feel that same way. After more than a decade of seeking that feeling, I can’t stop writing music. I can’t stop creating. At the end of the day, I can’t thank marching band enough for lighting a fire in me. The only thing I’m missing now is to light that same fire in students with my own music. Contributing to this genre of music is paying it forward for future generations of performers who will inevitably become composers.

My intent with designing original marching band shows is to alleviate the grueling process of designing a show and making the staff’s collective lives easier by including wind arrangements (specific to your ensemble’s capabilities), percussion arrangements (which will never be recycled), electronic designs, and winds/percussion choreography. If you have a vision for a show, let’s see what we can come up with that works for you and your group! In addition to this, you would be able to purchase the concert versions of these pieces to play on a Spring (or End-of-Year) Concert to prepare your students ahead of time for marching band season.

At the end of the day, I want to make your life easier. On the other hand, I am only human. I will only take a certain amount of ensembles per season to make sure each of them receives my full attention to detail. The following is a list of original works that I can already envision as marching band shows. If you have others pieces of mine in mind, let’s work together to create a new show concept!

Eclipse (string orchestra)

Event Horizon (indoor marching percussion)

Nightmare Fuel (concert band)

As the World Waits (concert band)

PAEAN: to those who inspire us (brass quintet)

Until We Meet Again (concert band)