First Chorus (Grades 1-2)
Straight Ahead (Grades 3-4)
Salsafied! (Grades 3-4)
Spotlight (Grades 4-5)
Extensions (Grades 5-6)
Mike Vax
Marching Band
Combos
Composers
Paul Baker has earned degrees from the University of North Texas, where he played in and wrote for the One O’Clock Lab Band, and the University of Southern California where he earned a Certificate in Film Music Composition. Notable teachers include Pat Williams, Leon Breeden, Neil Slater, Jim Riggs, Dan Haerle, and Rich Matteson. Paul has also been a principal composer and arranger, as well as a member of the Dallas Jazz Orchestra and the Tony Campise Big Band writing such charts as “Quiet Time”, “Maxwell D. Cat”, “Bikini Beach”, and “Elise”. While living in Los Angeles, Paul was a member of the Bill Watrous and Tom Kubis big bands (“Slightly Off The Ground” CD), amongst many others. Performance credits include tours with Artetha Franklin, The Temptations, and the Broadway Show “Dreamgirls”. Concert appearances include Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Jack Sheldon, and Kim Richmond.
Robert “Beto” Skiles is legendary in the Austin, Texas musical community for creating the unique blend of jazz, salsa, and a little classical (for good measure) known as “Beto and the Fairlanes”. Robert has many other composing credits in a wide variety of genres ranging from Tejano to the Austin Symphony Orchestra and most everything in between throughout his career. We have culled many of the “greatest hits” from the Beto library and have enjoyed arranging them in the big band format to share with you and your students.
Dr. John Vander Gheynst – An active composer, performer, and educator, quality and versatility are hallmarks of John’s career. He won the 2005 Downbeat Magazine award for Best Extended Composition (Day Suite – see the Extensions Page for further details), and recent commissions include concert works for Wichita State University, Austin High school (Austin, Texas), and the Sacred Winds Ensemble as well as founding and leading his own group, The Contemporary Works Jazz Orchestra, a 20 piece concert jazz ensemble. Building on the jazz traditions of Gil Evans, Bob Brookmeyer, and Maria Schneider, John incorporates extensive woodwind doubles, brass mutes, and orchestral compositional techniques to achieve new palettes of sound and expression. John earned his Doctorate in Composition and Trumpet from the University of Texas, and also studied at the University of Georgia and the University of Illinois in addition to teaching high school band for five years in Georgia.
Dr. Paul White – Originally from Miami, Florida, Paul became infatuated with music at a very early age, and during his undergraduate studies at Appalachian State University was exposed to jazz through the recordings of John Coltrane. Paul then went on to graduate study the University of Texas where he received his Masters and Doctoral degress in Music Composition. Notable teachers include Dan Welcher, Rick Lawn, Rick Margitza, William Gora and Donald Grantham. Paul has performed with and has had the privilege of writing for many local and national musicians such as Phil Woods, Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, Butch Miles, Frank Mantooth, Wayne Newton, Bob Newhart, Pete Rodriguez and many others. His compositions have been performed all over the country by many academic, professional and military ensembles, including Riverside Community College, New England Conservatory, Temple Jazz Orchestra and The U.S. Army’s Jazz Ambassadors.
Mike Vax – more info coming soon.