Alfred Music Band Class of 2023
June 20, 2023|
Alfred Music Official
Our new band releases for 2023-24 feature works from seven names new to the Alfred Music roster! Their compositions and arrangements are wonderful additions to our catalog, and are sure to fuel musical growth in your bands. Let's meet the Alfred Music Band Class of 2023!
JaRod Hall is a Texas-native educator, performer, and composer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of North Texas where he studied conducting with Nicholas Williams and Dennis Fisher. A passionate performer, JaRod has been a part of many ensembles such as the North Texas Wind Symphony, 3 O’Clock Lab Band, Carrollton Wind Symphony, and Metropolitan Winds. As a composer, JaRod’s compositions appear on the Texas Prescribed Music List, The J.W. Pepper Editors’ Choice list, and the Bandworld Top 100. He is a nationwide marching band and WGI arranger and consultant. He resides in San Antonio, Texas with his wife Rachel.
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Timothy Loest is a name in music synonymous with creativity, versatility, and accessibility. His works for young band are performed worldwide and his pedagogical methods and conducting appearances impact performers and audiences at the state and national levels. With over three decades in the classroom, Tim is no stranger to instrumental pedagogy; he is associated with several best-selling methods, his music has appeared on numerous network TV shows. Tim received his Bachelor of Music Education degree with high honors from Illinois State University and his Master of Music degree with program honors from Northwestern University.
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Ryan Nowlin is an active composer, arranger, and clinician whose music has been performed throughout the world. In addition to numerous publications for bands and choirs, he has co-authored multiple comprehensive band methods. In 2010, Mr. Nowlin joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band as staff arranger before being appointed to his current position of Assistant Director in 2014. In this role, Mr. Nowlin regularly conducts the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra in the Washington D.C. area, at the White House, and across the United States.
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William Owens is a native of Gary, Indiana. A seasoned music educator, he is highly active as a composer, clinician, and conductor throughout North America. His compositional style for young ensembles displays a keen, practical approach which has firmly established him as a leader in the field. Since 1993, Mr. Owens has written over 300 titles for concert band, string orchestra, and small ensemble. William is a 1985 graduate of Chicago’s VanderCook College of Music and the recipient of numerous awards and grants for composition. In 2014, William formally retired from duty as band director in Texas after 30 years of service. His spare time interests include traveling, United States history, and being a proud Chevrolet Corvette owner/enthusiast.
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Steven Pyter is a music educator, composer, and arranger from the Chicago area. He began his teaching career in 2007 and has taught a variety of instrumental, vocal, and general music classes at the high school level. Steven received his Bachelor of Music degree from Northern Illinois University (DeKalb) and his Master of Music Education Degree with teacher certification from VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, IL). His compositions and arrangements have been performed at concerts and festivals throughout the United States, including the Midwest Clinic Band and Orchestra Conference.
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Adrian B. Sims is an emerging composer, conductor, educator, and trombonist. Adrian graduated from Catonsville High School located in Catonsville, Maryland. Adrian has been selected as a winner in multiple composition competitions including the Maryland Music Educators Association Young Composers Project and the Make Music Young Composers Contest. As a trombonist, Adrian has performed in a wide variety of musical ensembles including pit and symphony orchestras as well as jazz and concert bands. Adrian is grateful for the continued support from his band directors Christopher Gnagey and Cindy Stevenson, and is pursuing a dual degree in Music Education and Composition at The University of Maryland.
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Jack Wilds is a composer and educator whose works have brought him into collaboration with musicians aged 5 to 95. Ranging from children’s choirs to collegiate wind ensembles and professional chamber groups, Jack’s music draws on visual art, philosophical and religious texts, poetry, and absolute musical influences to create vibrant works that meet performers where they are while inspiring authentic, artistic music making. A former public school band director, Jack’s works for wind ensemble and choir include over 40 publications for developing musicians. Jack is a lecturer at Texas State University, where he teaches composition, music theory, ear training, and music technology courses.