Arrangers and Composers
Alphabetical, by first name…
Andrew Clayden
Trombonist, Composer
Andrew Clayden served as Principal Trombone of the National Orchestra of Taiwan before taking up the Second Trombone position of the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, a post he held for 21 years. Mr. Clayden currently performs as a soloist and teacher, and in 2014 he was awarded a Certificate in Human Psychology by Bishop's University.
Angelo Piazzini
Italian Musician, Teacher and Composer
Angelo Piazzini holds Masters Degrees in both trombone (with specialization in tuba) and french horn – a rare achievement! He has been awarded first prize and special mentions in national and international solo competitions, performed with many orchestras in Italy, and taught for over a decade on tuba, trombone and horn in music institutes and schools. He currently attends the Postgraduate Internship program at the Conservatorio di Musica F. Morlacchi of Perugia. Angelo is the author of 56 publications in Italian and English.
Barbara Gallagher
Composer
Barbara Gallagher's compositions and arrangements have been performed throughout the USA and internationally, and are regularly broadcast on radio. She is the recipient of numerous awards, grants, and commissions, holding degrees from The Juilliard School (studying with Vincent Persichetti), and UNC School of the Arts (studying with Robert Ward and Sherwood Shaffer). As a hearing-impaired musician, she advocates for greater accessibility to music and speech for those with hearing loss.
Brad Howland
Former Principal Trombone, Victoria Symphony
Brad Howland recently retired as Principal Trombone of the Victoria Symphony, a position he held for 35 years. He has also performed as a substitute with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, and Palm Court Orchestra. He was a founding member of the Beacon Hill Brass (on euphonium and trombone), and performed school concerts with the trombone/tuba group "Heavy Metal."
Charles Dool
Composer
Charles Dool studied piano, violin, pipe organ, clarinet and voice before taking up composition training with Stephen Brown and David Clenman at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. His output includes compositions for various combinations, settings of Shakespeare soliloquies for tenor voice, and a commission from the Newcombe Singers to write the choral work For the Shore.
Clark Cothern
Composer and Arranger
Clark Cothern is a trombonist, composer and arranger, holding a degree in Theory and Composition from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. He also holds a Masters in Communications degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Forth Worth, TX. He has composed two television show theme songs and has composed and produced several underscores for commercials. His favorite compositions and arrangements are those done for small brass ensembles.
Darren Lloyd
Composer and Arranger
Darren Lloyd is a trumpet player, music educator and award-winning composer/arranger, who has won the competition on 'sheet music plus' for most popular jazz arrangement! He has an MA in music performance and also holds a PGCE in secondary music education. With a wealth of performing experience at the highest level, Darren enjoys composing & arranging pieces for brass, piano, jazz ensembles and concert band.
David Arditti
Composer
David Arditti studied piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and conducting at the Royal College of Music. He is a largely self-taught composer whose music has been widely performed in the United Kingdom and United States. Mr. Arditti is involved with several organisations that promote and perform new music, such as the Forum London Composers Group and the Dorset Composers' Association.
David Harris
Composer and Trumpet Player
David E. Harris is a composer in the Nashville, Tennessee area who earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from Furman University. Further education at the University of Memphis included a Master of Music degree in Music Theory and Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition. Dr. Harris is a past member of the trumpet sections of the Greenville (S.C.) and Memphis Symphony Orchestras and a current member of the Brentwood Baptist Church Orchestra where he plays trumpet and keyboard.
David Mathews
Arranger, Tuba/Euphonium Player
David began playing the tuba at the age of 10, going on to perform with the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain first on the tuba and then as principal euphonium. He holds an MA in music from the University of Oxford where he studied orchestration under Robert Saxton and John Traill.
David Taylor
Composer, Arranger, Trombone/Euphonium Player
Dave Taylor joined his local brass band on euphonium at the age of 8, adding bass trombone five years later, on which instrument he performed regularly with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. He now plays principally trombone (alto, tenor, bass and contrabass) for various ensembles in the Oxford and London areas. Dave's compositions and arrangments are performed around the world.
Dennis Esson
Freelance Trombonist and Recording Artist
Dennis Esson has recorded music for cartoons, movies, jingles, soundtracks and albums, in addition to numerous C.B.C. sessions as a featured soloist. He performs as Lead Trombonist with many groups (including the Vancouver Ensemble of Improvisation and Fred Stride Jazz Orchestra), teaches trombone at Capilano College, and directs the Jazz Ensemble at the University of British Columbia.
Don McDougall
Former Second Trombone, Victoria Symphony
The son of a famous Canadian trombone legend (Ian McDougall), Don McDougall has lots of trombone "chops" of his own! He has experience as an orchestral, small ensemble, and big band musician, and is also a classical guitarist, with a M.Mus. degree in guitar performance from the University of Victoria. Don's family of musicians also includes his mother Barbara, a violinist and violin teacher, and brother Nelson, a trumpet player formerly in the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
Ernest Brandon
Retired Music Teacher, Composer and Arranger
Ernest Brandon earned degrees in music education from North Central College and Northwestern University, plus two additional years in voice at the University of Illinois. He taught high school music for 8 years and voice for 35 years at Eastern Michigan University. Now retired, he has renewed his interest in composing and arranging. Most of his music is written for wind quintet and brass ensembles.
Evelin Auger
Trombonist, Composer
Principal trombone of the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec for 32 years, Evelin Auger was the conductor and arranger of the music played by the Ensemble de cuivres de l'OSQ for 17 years. His compositions have been played by many symphony orchestras and brass ensembles. He was also teacher at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec for 14 years and the Domaine Forget for 20 years. It is possible to listen to his music on YouTube.
Gordon Cherry
Former Principal Trombone, Vancouver Symphony
Gordon Cherry performed as the Principal Trombonist of the Vancouver Symphony from 1974 to 2009, working under conductors Kazuyoshi Akiyama, John Avison, Rudolf Barshai, Sergui Comissiona, Bramwell Tovey and Alain Trudel. He taught on the Faculty at the University of British Columbia School of Music from 1975 to 2007, graduating many students who have prominent positions in Orchestras and Educational Institutions around North America.
Ian McDougall
Trombonist, Composer, Educator and Yamaha Artist
Ian McDougall is perhaps best known for his work with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass, performing as lead trombone and soloist for twenty years. His compositions and arrangements in both jazz and classical idioms are performed internationally. Ian continues to play and teach in Victoria, BC Canada, where he taught trombone, composition, and jazz studies at the University of Victoria for over fifteen years, leaving there in 2003 as Professor Emeritus.
John Falcone
Composer, Arranger
John Falcone has earned degrees in Bassoon from Carnegie Mellon University and the Juilliard School. He has performed with many professional orchestras including the Costa Rica National Orchestra, the New York City Opera National Company and the New Jersey Symphony. As a composer John has premiered many orchestral and chamber works. Soon to be released is his first solo CD "In the Wabe."
John van Gulik
Composer, Arranger, Percussionist
John van Gulik started music at an early age, playing baritone, euphonium and trombone in Salvation Army bands. He was principal trombonist in the Ottawa Citadel Band during their 1992 tour of the Netherlands. He moved to percussion in 1996, and currently plays in the Legacy Brass Band. John began composing music in 2008 and has written several pieces for brass band, soloists, choirs, and concert band. His music is widely received and performed.
Josef Stastny
Arranger, French Horn Player, Accordionist
Josef, born and living in the Czech Republic, has been a member of various bands since his teenage years. He has arranged music for more than fifteen years. His music is mostly designed for small brass ensembles, quintets, quartets, trios and duos, or for soloists with piano/organ accompaniment.
Joseph Chopp
Retired Music Educator
Joseph Chopp earned BFA and MS degrees in music education from UW-Milwaukee, taught instrumental music in Milwaukee and Racine WI, and has led numerous church choirs and instrumental groups. In retirement, Joe plays his 1920's Jan Huml cornet and 1960 Conn Constellation A (cornet bore) in two community bands and has returned to his love of arranging music. He also contributes to the Band Music PDF Library and teaches at The Campanile Center for the Arts in Minocqua, WI.
Joseph Patrick Anthony
Trumpet Player, Composer
Joseph Patrick Anthony toured the U.S. in a swing band while still in his teens. In his twenties, he traveled throughout the western hemisphere as a U.S. Navy trumpet player. He later became a founding member and principal trumpet of The Buckingham Brass. His trumpet compositions reflect high hopes for a bright future for humanity.
Joseph Virgilio
Composer
Joseph Virgilio did preliminary studies in music theory and composition at Rutgers University, under the tutelage of, among others, American composers Louie L. White and George T. Walker. He is, however, a pre-dominantly self-taught composer living and working in the USA. His work includes music for various chamber ensembles and choral ensembles. Sadly Joe passed away in 2023, but we still have several of his compositions to release.
Julien Simard
Trombonist, Composer, Arranger, Teacher
Born and raised in Ottawa, Julien currently holds a full time position as a trombonist with the Royal Canadian Artillery Band in Edmonton, AB. Before joining the military, he was the second trombonist with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, a position which he held for four years. He has toured all over the world, playing concerts all across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom and India, and in his spare time, Julien enjoys composing, arranging, and teaching.
Kenneth Friedrich
Composer, Arranger, Euphonium Player
Kenneth Friedrich has been composing and arranging brass music for over twenty years, much of it published. His music is generally designed for college and amateur euphonium and tuba players. Ken fulfills commissions from individuals or groups, and has completed both small and large scale projects, including sonatas, concerti, and ensemble works.
Kevin Riley
Composer, Arranger, Conductor
A former military musician, Kevin Riley is presently musical director of The Allegro Wind Band and Andover Light Orchestra, and conductor of the Clifton Wind Band. He regularly composes and arranges for these ensembles, and recently has been commissioned to arrange music for several other ensembles, including KlassX, Salut Salon, Berkshire Maestros, Bedford Music Services, and the Heritage Light Orchestra. Kevin teaches at Thorngrove Prep School in Highclere.
Kevin Thompson
Former Principal Trombonist, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Kevin Thompson leads a busy life as a trombonist, euphonium soloist, and recording artist with two solo CD releases to his credit. He performed as Principal Trombone with the Bergen Philharmonic from 2007-2008, and in 2007 played both euphonium and guitar in the Vancouver Symphony's performances of Mahler's 7th Symphony. He has also performed with the Royal Philharmonic (London), Boston Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Macau Symphony, and Singapore Symphony.
Lawrence Killian
Arranger and Trumpet Player
Lawrence Killian played trumpet with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain before commencing studies in composition at Bath University. He studied trumpet at the National Centre for Orchestral Studies and Royal College of Music, performs as Principal Trumpet of the Todmorden Orchestra, and has conducted regional orchestras such as the Huddersfield Philharmonic and Airedale Symphony Orchestra.
Leila Lustig
Composer
Leila Lustig studied voice and composition at UCLA and received her doctorate at the University of Wisconsin. She has worked as a coach-accompanist and music producer for public radio stations, and since moving to Canada in arts publishing, marketing and public relations. Leila's main focus is vocal music, including a cantata on homelessness (Persons of No Fixed Abode), two choral works based on text by journalist and poet Stephen Hume, and works for two-part and three-part women's choir.
Marcus Hissen
Arranger and Trombonist
Marcus Hissen was born in Euskirchen, Germany and grew up on Vancouver Island. A member of the Victoria Symphony since 2004, he contributes passionately to the Symphony's outreach and education programs. In 2006, Marcus founded Music Corner, a musical storytelling quartet for young children. Marcus also performs school concerts as a member of the low brass ensemble "Heavy Metal."
Michael McDonough
Arranger and Trombonist
Michael McDonough studied trombone at the Philadelphia Musical Academy, taught high school music for 10 years, and maintains an active musical life performing in various ensembles. He was a member of the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra and traveled to New Zealand and Australia with the Danbury Brass Band. He is also an avid arranger for brass who writes reviews for the Trombone Page of the World.
Murray Polson
Arranger and Trombonist
Murray Polson is primarily a visual artist, with present work exploring his relationship to landscape through the construction and use of pinhole cameras. He has thrashed through many instruments (mastering none), but the vocal quality of the trombone has held his attention the longest. When arranging or composing he grows each piece one note at a time.
Nigel Williams
Composer
Nigel Williams is a New Zealand composer whose music has been widely performed in the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia and New Zealand. His organ music is published by MorningStar as part of the Marilyn Mason Music Library, and The Lorenz Corporation. His most recent publication with Lorenz is a book of fifteen shorter pieces. Nigel has enjoyed creating many trumpet and organ arrangements covering the various seasons of the liturgical year, plus a number of brass arrangements with patriotic themes.
Paolo Eriani
Composer
Paolo Eriani studied trombone at the Civic Music School of Varese and graduated from the Conservatorio di Como, taking private lessons in composition. He has collaborated with wind bands, orchestras, jazz bands, and brass quintet, performing internationally as a soloist. Paolo started composing in the '90s and has since built a vast repertoire of classical chamber, wind band and jazz music.
Richard John
Composer and Arranger
Richard John has performed extensively as pianist and accompanist, and is the Musical Director of the Gyrlais Male Choir. His compositional output includes solo, vocal, ensemble and choral music. He has scored the soundtrack to three independent films, and recently released his debut solo album Passing Thoughts. Richard's music is featured on the New Age Piano iphone/ipodTouch/iPad App, available from iTunes.
Robert Fraser
Bass Trombone, Victoria Symphony
Robert Fraser has been bass trombonist in the Victoria Symphony since 1990. He performed as Acting Bass Trombonist of the Calgary Philharmonic during the 2005-2006 season, and held a similar position for the Winnipeg Symphony in the fall of 2009 (in both instances replacing musicians on sabbatical leave). Bob is an avid arranger and editor of music for various groups, including the Beacon Hill Brass and the Victoria Symphony.
Rodney Miller
Composer, Arranger
Rodney Miller (who passed away in 2005) was a prolific composer/arranger, gifted educator, and member of the trumpet sections of the Lancaster and Harrisburg symphony orchestras. Mr. Miller won six American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Standard Awards in composition, and his works have been issued by major publishing houses such as Warner Brothers, Shawnee Press, and Alfred Music.
Ron Dekker
Composer, Arranger
Ron Dekker was a member of the U.S. Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. (on trumpet), and has taught music in public schools, colleges, and Pennsylvania State University. He served as conductor/arranger for the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant, and arranged music for several contestants in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant. He has original compositions and arrangements for concert band, orchestra, jazz band, instrumental chamber groups and chorus.
Stevan Paranosic
Arranger and Trumpet Player
Stevan Paranosic performed as Acting Second Trumpet with the Victoria Symphony for several seasons, along with his main job as Principal Trumpet of the Vancouver Island Symphony in Nanaimo, BC. He has also performed with the Vancouver, Prince George, and Okanagan Symphony Orchestras, holds music degrees from the University of Windsor and University of British Columbia, and was a member of the Beacon Hill Brass.
Steve Butler
Arranger, Trombonist
Steve is a trombonist and songwriter in Northeast Tennessee. He studied harmony with the composer Easley Blackwood at the University of Chicago, and traditional music with the folk artist John McCutcheon. He plays trombone in ensembles in Tennessee including the Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra and the Bone Density trombone quartet.
Steve Dekker
Composer, Arranger
Steve Dekker is a freelance trombonist, composer, arranger and music adjudicator in Kansas City and throughout the Midwest. He holds Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Trombone Performance and Jazz Composition from Towson University, where he studied under Hank Levy. Steve has held positions as the Director of Instrumental Music at The Pembroke Hill School, Penn Valley Community College, Albion College, taught Jazz Trombone and Jazz Arranging at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and was a trombonist/arranger in the The First U.S. Army Band. He performs regularly with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, Boulevard Big Band, Bobby Watson's Jazz All Stars, Starlight Theater and Kansas City Music Hall.
Tim Brewer
Composer
Familiar to most Kansas City jazz fans, bassist Tim Brewer has been a mainstay on the KC jazz scene for forty-five years. He is also a member of the Medical Arts Symphony and Civic Orchestra. After practicing dentistry for thirty-one years Tim retired in 2019 to devote his time to writing music as well as playing. In addition to numerous tunes for jazz combo, Tim has written for orchestra, brass groups, and big band.
Tom Camp
Composer, Arranger
Tom graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Music Education, going on to direct high school bands for 15 years in Illinois and New York. He has directed several all-county bands – along with some adjudication – and has been arranging music since high school, with trombone as his main instrument.
Ugis Praulins
Composer
Ugis Praulins is a Latvian composer whose music is inspired by nature, rock and folk roots. In 2012 he received a Grammy nomination for best contemporary composition for his work The Nightingale (with Michala Petri and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Stephen Layton). His best known a-cappella work Missa Rigensis has been performed around the world.
Vikentios Gionanidis
Composer, Arranger, Tuba Player
Vikentios Gionanidis has held the position of principal tuba in the orchestra of the Deutsche Oper in Berlin since the 2013/2014 season. He has performed with many orchestras, and appeared as a soloist with the Folkwang chamber orchestra in Essen, the orchestra of the Plauen-Zwickau Theater, the Göttinger Symphoniker, the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, and the Gdansk Akademy Orchestra, to name a few. Vikentios is a prolific arranger of music for brass.
William Dyson
Composer and Arranger
William Dyson taught band and strings in elementary, middle, and high schools in Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia, and is now retired from the Atlanta Public Schools where he taught for 25 years. He has performed on tuba, euphonium, and double bass in community bands and orchestras in Alabama and Georgia. His compositions for string orchestra are published by Neil A. Kjos.
William Wilson
Arranger and Tuba Player
William Wilson studied music education at West Chester State College, and currently performs with the Hagerstown Municipal Band, Mercersburg Community Chorus Orchestra, Capitol Dixieland Band, and various local theater pit orchestras. An electrical engineer by trade, Mr. Wilson is an avid music copyist and restorationist, who enjoys ambient and space music, medieval and Renaissance music, and (of course) Dixieland.
Xavier Eeckeloot
Arranger and Composer
Xavier Eeckeloot studied clarinet at the Music Academy of Dunkerque, and at an early age joined the Orchestre D'Harmonie de Dunkerque (an award winning band). Xavier has arranged and composed music for brass ensembles, woodwind ensembles and concert band for many years, and he was recently elected to the SACEM (French Society of Composers).
Other Arrangers and Composers
Eric Murphy, Former Second Trumpet, Victoria Symphony
Charyl Kneevers Zehfus, American Composer
Frank Mathison, Bass Trombone Principal Emeritus, London Symphony Orchestra
Jason Sullivann, Arranger and Composer
Ken Young, Arranger and Composer
Larry Skaggs, Former Principal Cello, Victoria Symphony