for sopilka and piano

Approximate Duration: 3:20

Program notes: Zazhurena Kolomeyka is a short piece written for sopilka and piano. Sopilka is a traditional Ukrainian folk wind instrument that is often used to mimic birds, insects, and other sounds of nature. Shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains would often play a tune on their sopilka to herd their sheep. This piece reflects the sopilkas search for its place in our 21st century world.

Recording: Click here (to download: Right-Click and Save Link As…) to listen to an .mp3 recording of the world premier; performed by Mike Romaniak (sopilka) and Nicholas King (piano) in March 2010.

Video info: Here’s some footage from the premier at the University of Toronto.

for saxophone quartet

Approximate Duration: 3:10

Program notes: An exploration of the potential of sounds produced by the crook, mouthpiece, reed and ligature of a saxophone.

Recording: Click here (to download: Right-Click and Save Link As…) to listen to an .mp3 recording of the world premier; performed by the Fuocoso Saxophone Quartet in December 2009.

Video info: The FuocosoSQ performed this at their TORONTO ’09 concert in December. The concert was held at Gallery 345. You might want to turn up your speakers for this one!

The Fuocoso Saxophone Quartet is: Jen Blackwell (alto1), Julian Lam (alto2), Mike Romaniak (tenor), and Alex Espinosa (bari).

for saxophone quartet

Approximate Duration: 2:00

Program notes: This is a transcription of a section of a piece from a ballet performed by the Virsky Symphony Orchestra. Virsky is a Ukrainian national folk dance ensemble based out of Ukraine.

Recording: Click here (to download: Right-Click and Save Link As…) to listen to an .mp3 recording of the world premier; performed by the Fuocoso Saxophone Quartet in December 2009.

Video info: The FuocosoSQ performed this at their TORONTO ’09 concert in December. The concert was held at Gallery 345.

The Fuocoso Saxophone Quartet is: Jen Blackwell (alto1), Julian Lam (alto2), Mike Romaniak (tenor), Alex Espinosa (bari).

for piano trio

Awarded: The First Five College Composition Award, University of Massachusetts (2009)

Approximate Duration: 7:20

Program notes: Sfumato (from the Italian word fumo, meaning vapour or smoke) is an art technique that is often used to depict haze, smoke, and/or shadows.

Recording: Click here (to download: Right-Click and Save Link As…) to listen to an .mp3 of the US premier; performed at the first Five College New Music Festival (2009) by Michael Sussman (clarinet), Marie-Volcy Pelletier (cello), and Nadine Shank (piano).

Video info: Here’s some footage from that US premier at UMass. It was performed in Bezanson Recital Hall.

for page turner and piano duo

Approximate Duration: 3:10

Program notes: This piece features the virtuosity of a page turner that is often overlooked. As you watch the two piano players that are in desperate need of a page turner, you may start to understand why the page turner is in desperate need of a pair of running shoes.

Video info: Here’s some footage from the premier in October. It was premiered at a University of Toronto Student Composers Concert (October 28th, 2008) by Devin Sloos (page turner), Elaine Choi (piano), and Jeanne Yuen (piano).

for percussion ensemble

Approximate Duration: 1:40

Instrumentation: cymbal, cabasa, glockenspiel, tambourine, timbales, timpano, bass drum.

Program notes: This piece was inspired by those long commutes between home and my home away from home; the Faculty of Music. While maintaining many of the rhythmic patters of the Toronto Transit Commission, this piece is a mere imitation of a journey on the TTC; not a soundscape.

Recording: Click here (to download: Right-Click and Save Link As…) to listen to an .mp3 of the premier in 2008.

Video info: Here’s some footage from the premier, performed at a University of Toronto Student Composers Concert (March 31, 2008). Performers: Andy Luck, Jenn Collins, Michelle Hwu, Justin Han, and Dorian Cox.

for tenor and piano

Text written by: William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)

Approximate Duration: 1:30

Program notes: The text of this piece is from William Carlos Williams’ poem entitled To A Poor Old Woman. Williams was a great American poet – born in Rutherford, New Jersey. Many of the musical decisions made were in respect to the poem. These decisions included form, modality, development of emotion, etc.

[Click here to read the Poem Text]

for big band

Dedication: Ken Hazlett and the Lawrence Park C.I. Stage Band

Approximate Duration: 3:10

Program notes: This chart was intended for the Lawrence Park C.I. Senior Stage Band of 2007. The dedication remains to display my gratitude to Ken Hazlett; a teacher, but above all, a friend. It features techniques of voice layering, cannons and more.

Video info: Here’s some footage from the premier at May Lyrics in 2008. Conducting: Mike Romaniak.

for solo piano

Approximate Duration: 2:20

Program notes: In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a witty Titan that stole fire from Zeus and handed it over to the mortals as a gift for their own use.
This piece is based on the “Prometheus Chord” (also known as the Mystic Chord); a six note chord which is believed to provide the harmonic basis of many of Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin’s later works.

for SATB Choir and String Quartet

Text written by: Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

Approximate Duration: 3:20

Program notes: The text is written by the famous African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. The poem that he wrote clearly depicts the steady rise of a majestic storm. The goal of this piece is to reflect the majesty of Dunbar’s storm and emphasize its strength and power.

[Click here to read the Poem Text]