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Instrumental Works


Concerto for Percussion Quartet

and Wind Ensemble

     This three-movement concerto features four percussionists playing a combined total of 32 instruments accompanied by wind ensemble.

     The first movement begins with driving rhythms from the percussion delivered in alternating meters. These patterns are supported and enhanced by the addition of secondary themes from the winds. The second movement is tranquil and ethereal in its properties. The ensemble is called upon to utilize extended techniques including finger snaps, key and valve clicks, spoken word, and mass improvisations as well as standard techniques. The closing movement is built upon three collections of pitches and three rhythmic motives ultimately closing with themes from all three movements present. 


INSTRUMENTATION: Piccolo, Flutes 1 & 2, Oboes 1 &2, Bassoon, B-flat Clarinets 1 & 2, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophones 1 & 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, 

B-flat Trumpets 1-3, Horns 1-4, Trombones 1 & 2, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba. Percussion 1-4 (Bongos, Brake Drum, Chimes, Chinese Bell Tree, Claves, Cowbell (Large), Cymbal (on timpani), Finger Cymbals, Glockenspiel, Marimba, Mark Tree, Gong (9-10inch), Guiro, Rainstick, Shekere, Sizzle Cymbal, Snare Drum, Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (3), Suspended Cymbal, Tam-Tams (2 Large), Tambourine, temple Blocks, Timpani (4), Tom-Tom (Large), Triangles (2), Vibraphone, Wood Block,  Xylophone, 

year: 2018

Approx. 15  minutes 

$100.00


Nocturne (Tenor Sax/Piano)

  This jazz influenced duet experiments with chord extensions and textures in the upper and lower range of the tenor saxophone. The simple melody produces memorable lines providing a platform for various chordal colors and intriguing voicing between the two instruments.

     Nocturne has been recorded  by Pavel Zlámal (saxophone) and Lucie Kaucká (piano) for the album SUSTAIN VOL.2 on Navona Records .  It was performed for a live broadcast by members of the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Featured as part of Chicago’s Access Contemporary Music Weekly Reading Season 8, and named "Finalist of the International Music Prize for Excellence in Composition 2010" by the National Academy of Music. Also selected for performance at 2010 Society of Composers, Inc. National Conference, New Music Festival IX (Univ of Nebraska, Kearney), the 2010 Southeastern Composers' League Conference, and 2010 Society of Composers, Inc. Region VI Conference.     

INSTRUMENTATION: Tenor Saxophone, Piano

year:2008

Approx. 3 minutes

$15.00                                    

Three 4 Hand Drums

Selected for performance at the 2014 CFAMC National Conference, THREE 4 HAND DRUMS is a three movement suite for percussion quartet. The emphasis of the first movement is driving interplay between the drums with multi-meter twists. The second movement features slow rhythms and metallic sounds and effects combined with the drums. The final movement is a powerful driving force that moves back and forth through canonic layering and unisons.

INSTRUMENTATION: Bongos, Cup Bells (or Finger Cymbals), Slap Frame, Mark Tree, Medium Djembe, Large Djembe, Suspended Cymbal

year: 2012

Approx. 8 minutes

$20.00

Danse de Cirque (Trombone/Piano)

This work is a fun and challenging piece highlighting the full range of the trombone. The opening fanfare and initial theme show great power in both the horn and piano. What follows is a fun multi-meter section where the interplay between the instruments creates the fun of “clowning around”. Following a brief cadenza, there is a final statement of the main theme. Perfect for your recital!  

Performed at the 2013 New Music Festival XII at University of Nebraska at Kearney and at 2013 MSU Contemporary Piano Residency/Southeastern Composers League Forum.

INSTRUMENTATION: Trombone/Piano

year: 2011

Approx. 5 minutes

$15.00

In The Gardens

      In November of 2010, we began to rent a home in the beautiful Schnormeier Gardens (Gambier, Ohio). I purposed early, possibly my first day in the home, that I would try to capture some of this beauty in music. As I walked and experienced all 9 garden areas, I quickly realized that each and every day could be a new experience of peace and inspiration by seeing and living among some of the most beautiful scenes created together by God and man.

WINTER

     Our first WINTER in The Gardens was a particularly harsh one. The scenes of this movement vary from the quiet stillness across a deep, deep snow, to the turbulent blizzard type days and nights, to the ice so thick that the ponds were frozen over and the tree limbs cracking like gun shots. Eventually, the winter slowly melted away.

SPRING

     Our first SPRING in The Gardens was a thrilling thing to experience. Each walk revealed something new: new buds, new colors, new flowers. We couldn’t wait to walk the gardens again to see what had come out since the last time! Without hesitation, my favorite was to walk and sit along the Stream Garden, hearing the water flowing from the waterfall, down the rocky stream to the lake.

SUMMER

     The quiet sunrises and early morning strolls during the SUMMER revealed fog over the water, and animal friends in the forest. The flowers became a circus of color, while the bees, raccoons, squirrels and birds made a new adventure of each day. Dinner on the deck looking out over the woods was something to look forward to each day. Summer is never long enough…

AUTUMN

     If there were ever a picture of majesty in full color, it is my view overlooking the Meadow Garden during the AUTUMN. Much like spring, every few days revealed another change of color. The walks through the forest sounded “crunchier” as the trees lost their leaves and The Gardens became dormant preparing for another winter.

     Selected for performance at 2013 MSU Contemporary Piano Residency in conjunction with the Southeastern Composers League Forum. Selected for performance at the 2013 SCI Region V Conference

SOLO Piano

year: 2012

Approx. 15 minutes

$15.00 - Piano Music

$20.00 - Optional Multi Media for Live Performance

$15.00 - DVD; Performance by Raquel Teare with pictures that inspired the music


Watch sample video HERE


LISTEN: Stream In the Gardens on Apple Music, Spotify,  and Amazon. 

The album also includes Bonus Tracks Somethin's Gone Wrong Deep Within, and Meditation on "Evening."


Fantasia for Bass Clarinet

Premiered March 20, 2018 by Dr. Adrienne Lape and the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, this work explores the agility of the bass clarinet as a solo instrument accompanied by Wind Ensemble. A recital version is available for Bass Clarinet with Piano Reduction.

INSTRUMENTATION: Solo Bass Clarinet, Piccolo, Flute 1 & 2, Oboe, B-flat Clarinet 1 & 2, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone 1 & 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, B-flat Trumpets 1-3, Horns 1-4, Trombone 1 & 2, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion 1 & 2 (Bass Drum, Piatti, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Tam-Tam), Bells, Chimes, Marimba, Vibraphone.

year: 2017

Approx. 4:30 minutes

$65.00 - Wind Ensemble Version

$15.00 - Solo Bass Clarinet & Piano Reduction


View video of premiere HERE

Somethin's Gone Wrong Deep Within

     This commissioned work begins with the sound of the American "spiritual" and depicts the internal tension of the apostle Paul as stated in Romans 7:14-20. The duality is expressed through the instrumentation, motivic material, and tonality.   

     The trumpet uses full range of the instrument, mutes, minor extended techniques, and expressive tone production. A short cadenza allows prime opportunity for the artist to give dramatic interpretation to this internal struggle through varied technique, use of range and optional improvisation.

     Written for Jeffrey Crabtree at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, this piece was previewed on April 9, 2011 as part of the Phi Mu Alpha American Music Concert, and then premiered at his senior recital on April 28, 2011. Following the inaugural performance Mr. Crabtree reported, “The audience reaction was amazing. Many people commented on how powerful the work is and that they were brought to tears.”  

Awarded the International Music Prize for Excellence In Composition 2011 by the National Academy of Music and selected for performance at the 2012 SCI Region VI Conference. Another great recital piece!

INSTRUMENTATION: B-flat Trumpet, Piano

year: 2010

Approx. 7:00 minutes

$15.00


LISTEN: Stream on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon.

Search IN THE GARDENS PUCKETT

Also on the album: In The Gardens - suite for Solo Piano, and Meditation on "Evening."

Countdown

     Countdown is a composition constructed on a non-musical numerical concept.  The numerical values are used only to develop a framework for each movement prior to composition. Once in place, this numerical framework is used to guide the composition where each movement’s numerical value is then exploited. Countdown’s seven movements occur in reverse order, beginning with seven players. After each movement a player leaves the stage – finishing with movement I for solo cello.

INSTRUMENTATION: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Violins 1 & 2, Viola, Cello

year:2009

Approx. 15:00 minutes

$50.00


View Premiere by Texas Tech University Ensemble:

Mvmt 7, Mvmt 6, Mvmt 5, Mvmt 4, Mvmt 3, Mvmt 2, Mvmt 1

Praeludium IV

A String Orchestra  arrangement of the J.S. Bach work for keyboard.

Recording by the Texas Tech University Orchestra


Orchestration: $25

Reverie

Chamber Orchestra arrangement of Robert Schumann's Opus 15, No.7

Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horns 1/2, String Orchestra

Recording by the Texas Tech University Orchestra


Orchestration $35

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