For Holy Week 2023, I wrote three organ voluntaries that became my "Triduum in Three Movements". This piece is an expanded version of the "Good Friday" middle movement, arranged for violin and cello. A deeply emotive work drawing from the likes of Barber's Adagio for Strings and Elgar's Nimrod, this composition seeks to tap into the depths of the soul the love and loss many felt and still feel to this day for Christ's crucifixion.

Dedicated to Andrew Messersmith and his fiancée Addison Darby, the musicians who asked for and premiered the piece.

The western meadowlark is a beautiful bird with an even more beautiful voice. Distinguishable by its pure whistles and gurgling warbles, a male's song pierces through his surroundings, adding a lovely melody to any ambience. This piece attempts to mimic such sublime sounds through the delicate harmonics of the viola. Other tones across the register of the instrument add ambience to these motives and gently fill the spaces in between, culminating in a homely melody.

Dedicated to my sister.

This piece is a reduction of the first section of my 2019 opus Pinnacle, swapping out solo violin for greater-bodied viola and massive orchestra for more practical pipe organ. From the notes of that work: “The moment a person achieves his/her potential, there is an overwhelming sense of joy and pride in the accomplishment. However, the moment would hold little meaning were it not for the chain of events that led the individual to that specific point in his/her life.” While the passage here does not embark on nearly as extensive of a musical journey as the piece from which it is derived, it offers a glimpse at the same hope that pervades its parent composition.

A study piece of the invention form and style of the Baroque period. Written for a music theory class during my time at the University of Oklahoma.

This piece, originally written for viola and string orchestra as the ninth movement of Constellations: A Suite for String Orchestra, was inspired by Cygnus, the Swan. Where the orchestral version soars to great heights, capturing the bird's dramatic ascent into the stars, this simpler arrangement taps into a gentler, more intimate aspect of Cygnus's exquisite flight. 

A study piece of the waltz form and style of the Romantic period. Written for a music theory class during my time at the University of Oklahoma.

What is a composer to do when the world is at a standstill? He sits alone in his studio and writes music as he always does, of course. However, thoughts of the pandemic and its isolating effect on society continue to creep into his mind as he engages with his instruments. The music he produces is dark, introspective, tinged with melancholy. Out there, the composer cannot help but contemplate, millions of people are shut up in their homes. Out there, in spite of digital communications, they feel a lack of interaction and grow lonely in the long, empty hours. Out there, with the death toll ever rising, they witness the consequences of a fallen world and can do nothing but pray. 

A study piece of the courante form and style of the Baroque period. Written for a music theory class during my time at the University of Oklahoma.

Three members of the string family are promised a short but fun experience on this multi-continent-spanning trip of a lifetime! In central Asia, the trio joins a lively caravan traversing the Gobi Desert. Continuing into northern Europe, the strings set sail across the Baltic Sea with a stately Flotilla. The fast-paced journey comes to an end in eastern Africa, where the trio embarks on a mischief-filled safari in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Though a worthwhile excursion, let interested parties be warned: this instance of globetrotting is not for the faint of heart nor frayed of bowstring!

Dedicated to my sister.

With the arrival of summer comes renewed hopes in the minds of many that they can travel somewhere tropical. Influenced by the music of Guatemala, this piece features a marimba front and center that cheerfully takes the listener to a faraway paradise, if only for a couple of minutes. 

Dedicated to my mother.

The theme and two very brief variations of Beethoven's "Für Elise". Variation 1 aims for a "wild west" interpretation, while Variation 2 transforms the tune into a traditional 4-part chorale. Written for a group piano class during my time at the University of Oklahoma.

If you have ever lost a beloved pet, you know it can be almost as hard as losing a friend or family member. This piece was written to commemorate a loyal dog of 12 years who finally lost his battle with cancer over the summer of 2018.

Dedicated to my mother.

Everyone has their times of adversity, times where they are struggling to get ahead or to make ends meet. As the title suggests, this piece calls to all those in difficult situations to persevere, to show courage, to brave the tough times. You can do it; you have the power within you to keep going. You are endowed with fortitude.

Dedicated to my mother.

Submitted for Hans Zimmer & Lorne Balfe's Show Us Your Musical GENIUS Challenge. this piece twists the original Genius theme into a lighter, major-key setting. Inspired by Einstein's musical interests, particularly his background as a violinist and lover of Mozart, the piece was intentionally kept piano-quintet small for a more classical feel.

This piece, a brief emulation of classical-era composition, was written for the biggest Mozart fan and all-around classical enthusiast I know - my father. Following traditional sonata form and filled with modulations, authentic cadences, and lots of "chucking" (my father's term for repetitive string staccati), I made him proud!

This viola-piano duet gets its name from an image that comes to my mind of a lone Spanish Galleon braving the high seas on a journey for fame and fortune. Its perseverance is communicated in the A section, its beauty and grace in the B section, and its power in the C section. Written for my mother's birthday, I wanted the music to feel light, yet exciting and adventurous.

Dedicated to my mother.

I consider this to be my first true piece. Written and performed privately for my mother's birthday in 2015, the piece received its first ever public performance during the Schmidt Sibling Showcase my sister and I put on at our childhood church in 2023.

Dedicated to my mother.