Compositions
Wily Nonchalance (2020) – 6'
Solo B-flat clarinet - $10
Commissioned by Season Cowley, Eva Hagan, and Calla Olson. Exploration of the secret
inner workings of our feline friends: seemingly disengaged, then suddenly right on top of
whatever adventure happens to present itself in a given moment.
Winter Fantasy (2019) – 8'
Solo B-flat clarinet - $10
Commissioned by Olivia Meadows. The many moods of winter expressed in a format inspired by
Wilson Osborne's Rhapsody, with an introduction to microtones and multiphonics for the
adventurous young performer.
Songs from Afar (2019)– 6’
Violin and clarinet - $25
Commissioned by Gretchen Hill with assistance from the Hansen Fellowship and
Bowling Green State University. Several “songs” contained in a single movement,
celebrating the marvelous balance between uniqueness and shared common experiences
among our world’s myriad cultures.
Desperate Measures (2019)– 7’
Solo bass clarinet - $20
Commissioned by Jack Liang. Desperation and inspiration are strong intuitive feelings
that call us to effect change. Inspiration unacted upon can morph into desperation, where
the spark of enlightenment can transform itself into a looming darkness, while
desperation’s attendant urgency to act can prod us to heightened states of inspiration.
Of Foxes, Dragons, and Leprechauns (2018) – 4’
for band - Rental/purchase details by request
Commissioned by Desert Ridge Junior High Band, Mesa, AZ, Brian Mabry,
Director of Bands. Celebrating the traditions we share with our neighbors across
the Atlantic, the work re-imagines four popular folk songs: “Rickett’s Hornpipe”
(England), “Pais Dinogåd” (Wales), “A Fig for a Kiss” (Ireland), and “Off She Goes” (Ireland)
Togetherness (2017) – 11'
Duet for flute/piccolo and B-flat/E-flat clarinet, performance score and practice score - $20
Commissioned by the Scott/Garrison Duo, Shannon Scott, clarinet, Leonard Garrison, flute
This work explores the flow of confluent and divergent energies in heightened states, as if
these subtle microworlds were suddenly transformed into a macrovibrant bustling metropolises.
I. Profound – Contemplative, dusky, and ethereal multiphonics.
II. Quirky – Crystalline whimsy, interrupted by occasional boorish outbursts
III. Driving – Triumphant and purposeful, with the performers taking turns leading the action.
Ignorance and Blitz (2017) – 6'
Clarinet Quintet (E-flat, 2 B-flat, 2 bass) score and parts - $25
Commissioned by Buffet Crampon USA for the Buffet Summer Academy faculty
(Mark Nuccio, Victoria Luperi, Pascual Martinez Forteza, J. Lawrie Bloom, André Moisan).
Two contrasting movements: the dark antagonistic energy of willful ignorance, and a swift
kick in the pants to send broody moodiness packing.
The Bangui Anomaly (2017) – 9'
B-flat clarinet and bass clarinet duet, performance score and practice score - $25
Commissioned by the Egide Duo, Joshua and Stefanie Gardner
A themeless set of variations based on a 10-note row, wandering, angry, grotesque,
uncomfortable.
Ruff 'em Up (2016) – 6'
Clarinet Quintet (E-flat, 2 B-flat, 2 bass) score and parts - $20
Commissioned by Buffet Crampon USA for the Buffet Summer Academy faculty
(Mark Nuccio, Ixi Chen, Pascual Martinez Forteza, J. Lawrie Bloom, André Moisan). Bumps
and grinds in the basses provide the foundation for floating B-flat clarinet lines, while the
E-flat clarinet plays spoiler throughout.
Two Reflections on the Crab Nebula (2016) – 9'
Solo Alto Saxophone - $20
Commissioned by Christopher Creviston. Reflections on a white dwarf star going supernova,
that was recorded by astronomers in China and what is now Iraq, even in the daytime, in the
year 1054, the remnants of which are known today as the Crab Nebula.
I. The Chandrasekhar Limit – Relentless lurching and heaving from the wild unstable
energy of a white dwarf star ready to explode
II. The Pulsar Wind in Taurus – Effortless floating in an endlessly deep cosmic
environment
Parallel Histories: An Excursion (2016) – 9’
2 clarinet/bass clarinet soloists and band - Rental/purchase details by request
Commissioned by Jay Niepoetter and written for Jay Niepoetter and Jihoon Chang and The
President’s Own Marine Band. Conceived as a showpiece for outdoor performance during the
4th of July weekend celebrations at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this work also
explores the personal and collective triumphs and struggles we all have faced throughout the
history of this American Experiment.
Mope & Boogie (2014) – 7’
B-flat clarinet and piano - $30
Commissioned by Ben Redwine for the 2014 Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium Young Artist
Competition. The balance between disciplined patience and reckless abandon is in full force
in this two-movement ditty. Lots of work for the pianist's left hand!
Chiral Symmetries (2013) – 24’
Solo B-flat clarinet - $20
Six deep movements exploring the intricacies of the universe with extremely challenging
multiphonics and fingering intricacies: Stars Twinkle, Planets Shine; Strings of Waves of
Strings; Dancing on the Light’s Edge; Origins; Infinity’s Embrace; The Universe Stops
Expanding Briefly to Offer Advice.
2 Teez (2013) – 12’
B-flat clarinet and string quartet, score and parts - $40
Commissioned by DANSR for the Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition. Two twisted movements:
Absurdities – the clarinet weaves in and out of plucking and chugging from the strings; Incongruities –
heavy grinding energy from all at full tilt
Pursuits of Happiness (2011) – 8’
Clarinet sextet (E-flat, 3 B-flat, basset horn, bass) (2011), score and parts, including alternate
alto clarinet part - $40
Composed for Rose Sperrazza and the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble
Written for three clarinetist couples: Stanley and Naomi Drucker, John Bruce Yeh and Teresa Reilly,
and Rose Sperraza and David Tuttle. Each movement highlights one of the couples
I. Romp
II. Honesty
III. Stomp
Shadows from Flames (2011) – 22’
B-flat clarinet solo with bass clarinet quartet backup band, score and parts - $50
Written for Edmund Welles, the Bass Clarinet Quartet
A rock epic in five connected movements:
I. Intensity
II. Longing
III. Cauldron
IV. Oracle
V. Assault
Lines, Spaces, Planes (2010) – 8’30"
Clarinet trio (2 B-flat, B-flat/bass), score and parts - $30
I. Lines – Swanky counterpoint, but everyone’s their own boss
II. Spaces – Drifting glissandi under a languid melody
III. Planes – Thick parallel lines searing into your consciousness
Three Hasty Studies (2010) – 8’
B-flat clarinet ensemble (5 parts), score and parts - $25
Composed for the 2010 ClarinetFest® tribute to legendary Eastman teacher, Stanley Hasty.
Each short movement is based on one of Mr. Hasty’s teaching concepts:
I. H’tah Molly – Preparing the air before making clean attacks, creating a pyramid effect
II. Klose Calls – Expressive wide interval gestures passed fro one part to the other, with an
optional multiphonic solo coda
III. Trill Ride – Keeping fingers close to the holes and moving evenly back and forth
Four Tempers (2009) – 17’
Three clarinetists (B-flat/bass, 2 bass) and drum set, score and parts - $50
Requires skilled drum set improviser. Check your anger management skills at the door! Four
uncompromisingly intense movements:
I. Burning Up
II. Patience
III. Aggression
IV. Burning Down
Bipolarang (2008) – 8’
Two B-flat clarinets, performance score and practice score - $25
Composed for Robert Spring and Jana Starling. Lots oppositional energy and manic mood shifts out
to the edge and back again.
The Moon in My Window (2007) – 10’
Solo B-flat clarinet - $20
Written for Kelly Johnson. The daily activities of a child – waking, playing, eating, nap time, more play
(always!), and finally, bedtime are depicted in six innocent and light, yet technically challenging movements.
Double Life (2007) – 10’
Solo clarinet (B-flat and A), also PVC extension (included) - $25
Composed in honor of clarinetist/composer William O. Smith
I. Double Life – Alternation between B-flat and A clarinets playing jazzy (Bill) and free, expansive
(William O.) motives, then playing both clarinets simultaneously
II. Deep Thoughts – for B-flat clarinet with PVC extension to access some of those deep thought
III. To Be Continued… - Always moving forward, always energetic, just like Bill
Peg & Hole Collide (2006) – 7’
Clarinet quartet (E-flat, E-flat/B-flat, B-flat, bass), score and parts - $20
Opposing forces congregate in the same place, with each instrument holding firm to its voice;
a unified collective statement emerges despite stubborn individualities.
Rrowzer! (2005) – 8’
Solo B-flat clarinet - $10
A grouchy old dog barking in the low register sets up the main ideas in this piece of flexible
length, as the performer builds the shape by determining the number of repetitions of each cell.
Two E-flat clarinets and piano (2005), piano score and clarinet parts $40
I. E force – A heavy march
II. E 4 Too – Variations combining “Tea for Two” and an original introduction motive
III. Contemplation – A very slow and free exploration of inner selves
IV. Eefer Madness – The title says it all, so hold on to your horns!
Two B-flat clarinets, performance score and practice score - $25
Companion piece to Ritual. A cyclone blows through your town in four minutes, paced with microtones.
Finger Food (2001-02)
Etudes for clarinet - $20
A collection of 14 little left hand and right hand studies, plus a couple bonuses; fun for all.
“A wonderful resource…Finger Food is a worthy contribution to the repertoire because of the musical value of the
works, the clear focus of each etude on a certain aspect of finger technique, [and] the clever and compelling title…
This is such a valuable and exciting book.” ~ Kennen White, The Clarinet
B-flat clarinet and percussion - $40
Composed for Robert Spring and J.B. Smith
I. Pruned Danish – Twisted licks from the Nielsen Concerto
II. Veiled Images – Poignant reflection with vibes
III. Outta My Way! – Non-stop blasts from clarinet and kitchen sink percussion setup.
Two B-flat clarinets, version A or version B, score and practice score - $7
Version A is a slow, contemplative with extensive choreography for the adventurous duo;
version B has less extensive choreography.
Coconut Candy (2000) – 4’
Solo B-flat clarinet - $7
Light and sweet, but you’ll burn a few calories working out the fingering combinations!
Clarinet trio (E-flat/B-flat, B-flat, B-flat/bass), score and parts - $40
Lots of tasty tidbits, and number of which may be played in any order. Something for everyone, from a
demented reel to a poignant chorale to a loose canon, and everything in between.
Chips Off the Ol’ Block (1999) – 8’30"
Solo bass clarinet - $20
One little theme after another, each breaking off in mid-development to make way for the next; eventually
the themes all coalesce in a fiery cauldron of notes.
So What Elsa’s New (1997) – 3’
Two B-flat clarinets, performance score and practice score - $15
Written for Gerry Errante and Elsa Verdehr and the 1997 Michigan State Clarinet Contemporary
Festival. Refrain and verses, floating and dizzy.
Sub(t)rains O’ Strata’s Fears (1996) – 12’
Solo B-flat clarinet - $35
Written for clarinet virtuoso Robert Spring. Circular breathing, double tonguing, and lots of
unconventional fingerings and microtones. A wild rollercoaster ride – the title says it all.
“An array of beautiful rhythmic drones with interspersed melodies, circular breathing, double
tonguing and multiphonics…both Mandat and Spring manage to make gorgeous sense of it.”
~ The Clarinet
Preludes, book I (1994) – 9’30"
Solo B-flat clarinet - $20
Five short lyrical pieces exploring a variety of multiphonic and microtonal techniques.
“Witty and even sly.” ~ Elena Lence Talley, The Clarinet
Music for Clarinets (1991-94) – 24’30"
Solo B-flat clarinet and clarinet ensemble (3 B-flat, 2 bass/B-flat, contra alto) score and parts - $80
Three full-blown connected movements exploring the microtonal possibilities of all:
Concertino, Interlude, and Finale.
Etude for Barney (1990) – 3’
Solo B-flat clarinet - $7
A snappy quarter-tone study in rondo form written for composer Barney Childs. Required piece for
2014 International Clarinet Association Young Artist Competition
Solo B-flat clarinet - $25
I. Call to Arms – Juxtaposition of static machine-like rhythms and quirky microtonal outbursts
II. Lament – Perfect-interval multiphonics gradually pulled out of tune
III. Apotheosis – Reconciliation between the static rhythms and microtones, or is it a surrender?
“A jazzy tour de force…vaguely familiar yet totally refreshing…it grows on you rather quickly.”
~ Ted Shen, Chicago Reader
Solo B-flat clarinet - $35
Five movements; not actual folk songs, but each with a distinct folk-like character, from Appalachian
fiddling to Japanese shakuhachi music to “star songs.”
"A composition of this caliber will most likely enter the performance repertoire as the representative piece
of the decade!” ~ Linda Pierce, The Clarinet
Solo B-flat clarinet - $20
I. Portent – Multiphonic trills and melodic fragments signaling movements 2 and 3
II. Sway – A drunken quarter tone wobble
III. Bop – A jazz-inspired frenzy of notes.
“This piece is to the 80s what Donald Martino’s A Set for Clarinet was to the 50s.”
~ composer Barney Childs