Alfred Music Orchestra Class of 2023

June 20, 2023| Alfred Music Official

Our new orchestra releases for 2023-24 feature works from ten 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 orchestras. Let's meet the Alfred Music Orchestra Class of 2023!

Morgan Denney is a composer and arranger who writes art music for many contexts including concert settings, theater, education, film, and dance. She enjoys experimenting with musical textures, psychology, and humor. Morgan holds a Master’s degree in music composition from the University of Miami and a Bachelor’s degree in music composition from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Currently based in South Florida, she also works as a freelance violinist and as a Production Editor for Alfred Music.

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Cooper Ford began learning the violin and trumpet at a young age in the school music program in his hometown of Chatham, New Jersey. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The College of New Jersey and Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida. He is currently the Orchestra Director at North Brunswick Township High School in North Brunswick, New Jersey, where he also teaches classes in Music Production. Previously, he was on the conducting staff of the New Jersey Youth Symphony, working primarily with students in grades 5-7.

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Adrian Gordon is an active performer, composer, and music educator living in Charlotte, NC. He received his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Miami and his master’s degree in music education from Florida International University. Mr. Gordon has more than 25 published educational string compositions that are performed throughout the world. In addition to teaching, Mr. Gordon enjoys musical engagements, such as being a clinician and an all-state conductor. Adrian currently resides in Charlotte with his wife, Kelly, and their two sons.

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C. Vanessa Fanning , a native of Atlanta, Ga., is a renowned orchestra instructor, director, composer, adjudicator, and contractor. She received her Bachelors in Music Education from Georgia State University, Masters in Music Education from State University of West Georgia, and Ed.S from Georgia State University. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Fanning realizes the importance of having good music for all musicians to play. Her selections have been included on several state and national orchestra music lists, and performed by numerous musicians around the country and abroad.

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Tyler S. Grant is an Atlanta-based composer/arranger whose music for concert bands, marching bands, orchestras, and chamber groups has been performed around the world by musicians of all levels. While he has never formally studied composition, he credits his mentors Brian Balmages and Randall Coleman as being pivotal to his success as a composer and a conductor. In addition to his writing, Tyler enjoys conducting and clinic engagements with ensembles throughout the United States. Tyler is a graduate of the University of Alabama where he earned a degree in instrumental music education.

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Robert D. McCashin , DMA, is Professor Emeritus and former Director of Orchestras and Professor of Conducting at James Madison University. He earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in violin performance from Louisiana State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Arizona. Dr. McCashin has been a successful writer and arranger of educational publications, having now published nearly 80 works for the Grade I through V educational performance levels. He is co-author of the popular string class methods, New Directions® for Strings and A Scale in Time , published by The FJH Music Company Inc.

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Internationally known artist Kirt Mosier brings the unique perspective of being both a conductor and a composer. Mosier’s engaging personality and sense of humor spread joy to orchestras and audiences worldwide. He has conducted numerous performances with international orchestras at venues and locations which include New York’s Carnegie Hall, Reykjavik Iceland’s Harpa Hall, Australia’s famed Sydney Opera House, and more. Mr. Mosier was the founding teacher of the Digital Media Technology program at Summit Technology Academy. He is also sought after as a keynote and motivational speaker by school districts and various organizations throughout the United States.

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Soon Hee Newbold is an internationally acclaimed composer and conductor known for incorporating differing cultural and ethnic styles in her writing, inspired by her experiences and travel. She started her musical journey at the age of 5 on piano and violin at age 7 and performed as a concert artist in professional ensembles around the world. Ms. Newbold has conducted and worked with orchestras and bands throughout the U.S. and overseas such as The Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, and China. As a filmmaker and composer in Hollywood, her music can also be heard in film and other recording projects.

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Neridah Oostenbroek has been teaching strings and classroom music in Brisbane, Australia for over 20 years. She gained her Bachelor of Music and a Diploma of Secondary Education before later completing a Master of Philosophy in Violin Performance at the University of Queensland with Spiros Rantos. Neridah currently teaches at several schools in Brisbane, as well as at home, and is in demand as a conductor, adjudicator, tutor, and teacher for music camps and festivals.

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Chris Thomas is a composer for film, television, theme parks, and a TED speaker. Chris has written music for several Emmy-nominated films, and for The Woman Rebel, which was shortlisted for an Academy Award. In television, he works as a composer, orchestrator, and conductor for studios such as Sony, ABC, FOX, CBS, and HBO. Chris’s works can be heard in theme parks all over the world. Chris's music for the concert hall has been performed in notable venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Hollywood Bowl.