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The Logan High School Wind Symphony in La Crosse, Wisconsin, premiered “Elegy” by Travis J. Cross on Monday, March 9, 2009. The work was commissioned by a consortium of high school bands in southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin under the leadership of Mark Lakmann at Logan and Dr. Christopher Werner at La Crosse Central High School. Click here to hear a demo recording of the piece. “Everlasting Light” was premiered by the St. Olaf Band, Northfield, Minn., on Sunday, December 7, 2008, with the composer conducting. The work was commissioned by the Miles Johnson Endowment as the musical prelude for the Sunday chapel service held in conjuction with the St. Olaf Christmas Festival. Click here to hear a recording of the premiere. GIA Publications has released volume four of Composers on Composing for Band, edited by Mark Camphouse. Travis J. Cross is one of the 17 “young and emerging” composers who have contributed chapters to the book. Also in December 2008, GIA released volume seven of the Teaching Music through Performance in Band book and compact disc recording series, which includes an article about “Tribute.” Travis J. Cross co-presented a session entitled “Four Centuries of Masterworks for Brass” with Gail Williams, Gerard Morris, Alicia Neal, and Robert Taylor at the Midwest Clinic, An International Band and Orchestra Conference, at the Hilton Chicago and Towers on Wednesday, December 17, 2008. The session featured the Northwestern University Brass Ensemble performing several selections from the brass repertory. Cross also guest conducted a piece with the Minnesota Symphonic Winds, Timothy Mahr, conductor, at the Midwest Clinic on Friday, December 19, 2008. Cross also recently guest conducted the Symphonic Band at the All New England Band Festival at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Jersey. The program included works by Dmitri Shostakovich and Frank Ticheli, in addition to “Rizzendo” and “Tribute.” Cross will lead the Gold Band at the Virginia Tech Honor Band Festival in January 2009 and the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association District V High School Symphonic Band in February 2009. Upcoming works over the next few years include commissions from the Indiana Bandmasters Association, Eagan (Minn.) High School, and the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association. If you would like to perform any of my works or receive perusal
scores and additional recordings, please e-mail me at cross@theodoremusic.com. Thank
you for listening to my music and visiting my
website! |
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 | Alleluia (1997) for mixed chorus by Ralph Manuel transcribed for symphonic wind ensemble In composing “Alleluia,” Ralph Manuel created a masterwork for the a capella choir. Through its melodic simplicity and warm harmonic textures, it beautifully expresses the sentiments of “Alleluia,” its only word of text. The numerous timbral possibilities of the symphonic wind ensemble provides an exciting palette of sound for this arrangement. Premiered by the Ankeny High School Band at spring contests in 1997, the piece seems right at home in the wind band world. The Gahanna Lincoln High School performed the work at the 2002 Ohio Music Educators Association conference, and the Ankeny High School Band performed the work at the 2002 Iowa Bandmasters Association conference. Now published by Daehn Publications of New Glarus, Wis., and available through fine music stores everywhere! For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING |
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 | Be Thou My Vision (1999) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 4’ “Be Thou My Vision” incorporates a traditional Irish melody found in the 1909 edition of Old Irish Folk Music and Songs. In 1927, the tune was harmonized and matched with the ancient Irish hymn text with which it has come to be so closely associated today. This arrangement for wind band seeks to capture the humble simplicity and deep faith represented by the hymn text. The hymn tune is heard three times in the piece — once with light accompaniment, once with traditional harmonization, and finally in a rich and powerful statement of victory and joy. All vocal parts are optional and cued in wind instruments. Commissioned by the St. Olaf Band, Northfield, Minn., Dr. Timothy Mahr, conductor, “Be Thou My Vision” was premiered on the band’s 1999 winter concert tour with the composer conducting. The Minnesota Symphonic Winds performed the work at the 2002 Minnesota Music Educators Association Mid-winter Inservice Clinic, and the Northshore Concert Band performed the work at the 2005 Midwest Clinic. “Be Thou My Vision” has been released on the St. Olaf Band Dreams and Visions CD, available from St. Olaf Records, as well as recordings entitled In the Spring by the Concordia University (Nebraska) Wind Ensemble and American Patrol by the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band. Now published by Boosey & Hawkes of New York, N.Y., and available through fine music stores everywhere! For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING ERRATA |
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 | Dawning Day (2006) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 5’30” Commissioned by the Falcon Ridge (Apple Valley, Minn.) Eighth Grade Band, the piece begins with a slow and expansive tune, gradually adding layers of harmony and counter-melody. A percussion swell and insistent eighth-note accompaniment introduce a faster, more animated melody, which continues even as the opening material returns simultaneously and drives towards a climactic finish. A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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 | Elegy (2009) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 4’30” “Elegy” was commissioned by a consortium of high school and university bands under the leadership of Mark J. Lakmann and Dr. Christopher Werner at La Crosse (Wisconsin) Logan and Central high schools, respectively. The premiere performance was given by the Logan High School Wind Symphony, with the composer conducting, on March 9, 2009. The work is dedicated with love, gratitude, and affection to the memory of the composer’s grandmother, Juanita Grimes (1922-2008). The piece serves as a companion to “Tribute,” written in memory of James Hubert Grimes (1920-2005). A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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 | NEW! Everlasting Light (2008) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 4’ Commissioned by the Miles Johnson Endowment for the St. Olaf Band, this piece premiered as the prelude to the 2008 St. Olaf Christmas Festival chapel service. A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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The Further Adventures of the Cowboy Kid and His
Trusty Sidekick Carlos (2004) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 6’ Commissioned by the Farmington Middle School East 7th Grade Band, this programmatic work follows our hero, The Cowboy Kid, as he rides through the sleepy town of Cowboy City; attends a barn dance and waltzes with the lovely and talented Miss Annabelle; goes to Mexico in search of his nemesis, Dylan the Villain; and returns triumphantly home to the music of a parade. Click here to download the performance notes, which include descriptions of each of the musical scenes. A fun-filled selection that covers several different styles of movie-inspired music! A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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 | Le vent de tristesse
(2002) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 4’ Commissioned by the Southeast Polk (Iowa) High School Concert Band, “Le vent de tristesse” is French for “the wind of sorrow.” An excellent and emotional piece for young high school bands! A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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 | Morning Song (2000) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 4’ The first sketches for “Morning Song” were composed as a setting of the short poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” The brilliant text by Robert Frost deals with the beauty and innocence of youth as described metaphorically in the golden colors of the early morning, and although the composer departed melodically from a direct setting of the text, his intent remained to describe musically the simple beauty of what Frost called “nature’s first green.” “Morning Song” was commissioned by the Valhalla Band, James Miller and Jayce Ogren, conductors, through the generous support of a grant from the St. Olaf College Student Organizations Committee. The piece was premiered by the Valhalla Band at Boe Memorial Chapel in Northfield, Minn., on May 15, 2000. A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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 | NEW! Rizzendo (2008) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 4’ Commissioned by Center Area (Monaca, Pa.) High School, “Rizzendo” is dedicated to James M. Rizzo in honor of his retirement after 35 years of teaching. The piece celebrates the achievements and reflects on the extraordinary efforts of James M. Rizzo and other fine music educators like him who contribute so much to the lives of their students. A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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 | Short Essay (2003) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 4’ Commissioned by the St. Ambrose University Symphony Band, this piece features driving rhythmic intensity and a charming melody. A great opener! A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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 | South Valley Fanfare (2002) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 1’30” Written for the first-ever Edina Honors Wind Symphony, an ensemble that brought together students from both South View Middle School and Valley View Middle School. A short, colorful, and rhythmic opener for young band! A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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Tribute (2006) for symphonic wind ensemble approximate duration: 4’30” “Tribute” was commissioned by the Southwest Iowa Bandmasters Association and premiered by their 11-12 grade honor band on January 16, 2006, with the composer conducting. The piece begins with two statements of the main theme, presented first with relatively straightforward accompaniment and then with a descant in the upper woodwinds. A contrasting section features a lilting eighth-note motive that moves throughout the ensemble, leading to the climactic return of the main theme. A brief coda reprises both of the primary melodic ideas in alternating trumpet solos and brings the piece to a close. The Austin Symphonic Band performed the work at the 2007 Midwest Clinic, and a commercial recording by a major American wind ensemble is forthcoming. Now published by Boosey & Hawkes of New York, N.Y., and available through fine music stores everywhere! For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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 | Variations on a Welsh
Blessing (2001) for symphonic wind ensemble and piano approximate duration: 5’ Although commissioned and premiered by the Highview Middle School 8th Grade Band from Mounds View, Minn., “Variations on a Welsh Blessing” is suitable for many high school groups. The four variations on the hymn tune commonly known as “Go My Children” or “All Through the Night” feature a prominent piano part and enough interesting percussion writing to keep the entire section involved. A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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 | Haste, ye Shepherds for soprano, baritone, and continuo by J.S. Bach transcribed for flute, bassoon, and chamber winds approximate duration: 5’ This air from the Christmas Oratorio has been arranged for many instruments with piano. This tasteful setting for chamber winds includes clarinet choir, oboes, horns, and string bass. Different solo instruments may be substituted. A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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 | Agnus Dei (1999) for string orchestra and piano approximate duration: 4’ “Agnus Dei” was composed for the Anoka (Minn.) High School Concert Orchestra, Michael Halstenson, conductor, and premiered by that ensemble in October 1999. Based on a short choral setting of the “Lamb of God” text, this deeply emotional piece features mournful melodic writing and rich harmonic scoring throughout the entire string orchestra. A score and set of parts are available for only $65. For more information, email cross@theodoremusic.com. ONLINE RECORDING WEB-VIEWABLE SCORE |
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Travis J. Cross (b. 1977) is an assistant professor of music at Virginia Tech, where he conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in conducting. He completed doctoral coursework at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he studied with Mallory Thompson. He previously earned the bachelor of music degree cum laude in vocal and instrumental music education from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., and the master of music degree in conducting from Northwestern. Cross taught for four years at Edina (Minn.) High School, where he conducted two concert bands and oversaw the marching band program. In 2004, he was selected to participate in the inaugural Young Conductor/Mentor Project sponsored by the National Band Association. The same year he received the Distinguished Young Band Director Award from the American School Band Directors Association of Minnesota. From 2001-2003, Cross served a two-year term as the recent graduate on the St. Olaf College Board of Regents. In 2006, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the United States Department of Education. A graduate of Ankeny (Iowa) High School, Cross has served as staff arranger for the Ankeny Marching Hawks from 1995-2002, during which time the band earned top honors at contests in Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In 1996, he was named Collegiate Composer of the Year by the Minnesota Music Educators Association. Cross contributed a chapter to volume four of Composers on Composing for Band, available from GIA Publications. His original works and arrangements for band, choir, and orchestra have been performed by college, high school, and civic ensembles across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Singapore and are published by Boosey & Hawkes, Daehn Publications, and Theodore Music. He has appeared as a guest conductor, composer, and clinician in several states and at the Midwest Clinic and will lead honor bands in New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Virginia during the 2008-2009 season. Click here to download a current curriculum vitae. |
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