Hi Friends,

Greetings from grey and chilly Baltimore!

True story: I have started this newsletter four times over the last several weeks, and… walked away after just a few words. I let myself be distracted and upset by “The Circus,” but I know if I let that derail my stuff, then they have won. And we can’t have that. It is once again sleeting, so may today be the day of newslettering! ✍🏻

FALL / WINTER 2025 RECAP

Finished the huge project with the tight deadline I mentioned in the last newsletter! I wasn't sure I could make it, but I’m a sucker for a personal challenge. Still can’t talk about it; hopefully soon. For now, I can say that I am (still) tired, relieved, and happy.

Took a road trip to West Virginia with my mother, one of my cool aunties, and my wife to explore the tiny town where my amazing grandfather (an innovative thoracic surgeon) was born and raised. He would never talk much about his background and vehemently denied incredible stories, like the one about his pool-shark skills helping pay for medical school! (I totally believe that happened.) Webster Springs is nestled in the mountains beside the Elk River. We visited the cemeteries of our great-grandparents and great-greats; serene places, remote yet well-maintained, with a warm, welcoming energy. I don’t normally think of cemeteries that way, but maybe the ancestors were happy to see us? It was comforting to see my middle name (for which I was teased extensively growing up) on so many tombstones. 10/10 recommend driving through West Virginia in autumn! It’s like the Shenandoah Valley on steroids. 🍂 ⛰

Taught 1:1 composition lessons at Peabody for a few weeks to cover for a colleague on leave. The students were wonderfully energetic and inquisitive!

Time Unfolding was chosen as a winner of the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Concerto Competition! So happy for my friend and consortium leader, Sarah Hetrick, who will be performing at the conference in March. (Keep reading for details!)

Celebrated the New Year in New Orleans! Visited more cemeteries, wandered the streets, visited record stores, enjoyed time with friends, ate crawfish. 🦐🥂

🎶🎷 UPCOMING PERFORMANCES 🎷🎶

Time Unfolding is going on a mini-tour! I will be tagging along to work with the performing ensembles.

Here is the schedule of all performances through March:

February 25, 2026 — 7:30 p.m. EST
Time Unfolding — concerto for alto saxophone and wind ensemble
Rowan University Wind Ensemble
Noa Even, saxophone
Joseph Higgins, conductor
Pfleeger Concert Hall at Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
Tickets and Livestream Info

March 2, 2026 — 7:00 p.m. CST
Time Unfolding — concerto for alto saxophone and wind ensemble
University of Arkansas Wind Ensemble
Sarah Hetrick, saxophone
Chase Jones, conductor
Faulkner Performing Arts Center
Fayetteville, AR

March 7, 2026 — 5:30 p.m. CST
Time Unfolding — version for alto saxophone and piano
Sarah Hetrick, saxophone; Tomoko Kashiwagi, piano
SHE Festival
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

March 10, 2026 — 7:30 p.m. CST
Just Say Yes — version for wind ensemble
University of Nebraska Lincoln Wind Ensemble
Emily Salgado, drum set
Carolyn Barber, conductor
Lincoln, NE
Tickets and Livestream Info

March 13, 2026 — 7:30 p.m. EST
Time Unfolding — concerto for alto saxophone and wind ensemble
North American Saxophone Association Biennial Conference
Ohio State University Wind Ensemble
Sarah Hetrick, saxophone
Scott Jones, conductor
OSU Mershon Auditorium
Columbus, OH
More Info

🚜 WORK IN PROGRESS 🚜

I am finishing up a commission from clarinetist Natalie Groom for her trio of clarinet, horn, and bassoon. Ultimately, this piece will be for flexible ensemble, meaning that each instrumental part can be adapted for other instruments in the given range, making it playable for many different groups. Flexible ensemble requires flexible thinking, and I appreciate the challenge of making something that will work for a wide variety of instrumentations.

☀ OUT & ABOUT ☀

🧳 Fellow Travelers

Jane O’Leary is a wonderful composer who recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Concert Hall in Ireland. We both attended Vassar College, and although we have not met in person, she’s an A+ email pal and a true “good musical citizen.” 

I got to know Podge Thomas this fall when I helped with her website. She is an expert Notion practitioner, an engaging and patient teacher, and a former musician (I knew there was a reason we hit it off). I enjoyed taking her Digital Gardening course! 🌱

👀 Watching

You know what has kept me on track during this ridiculous, turbulent period of life on earth? The Walk for Peace monks. We drove to D.C. to see them finish their 2,300-mile walk from Texas. What a special experience to be in their presence. I’ve been doing their loving-kindness meditation every day since and plan to continue indefinitely. 🧘

👂 Listening

This generative sound art piece is charming, and this one could become mildly addictive.

🔧 Tools

The Creative Independent is a wonderful resource for artists of all types, full of interviews, tips, and ideas.

For those engaging in civil action / protests / what-have-you, have a peek at The Activist Checklists.

😜 Shenanigans

A silly treat for the dog lovers out there! 🐶