Composition mostly has been only a secondary interest. My M.M. degree is in theory, but I never had training in composition per se because frankly I wasn't interested in writing the often unengaging musical contrivances that seemed more or less expected of "serious" composers in the 1970s. While I was singing I was directly involved with church choirs, and since choral service music pretty much demands the tonal idioms that most interest me--and because there seemed a greater chance for performance--that is mostly what I wrote.

 

In 2004 I first became aware of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s biennial “Fresh Ink” composers' competition, for which they select ten or so finalists and give those Florida composers the opportunity to hear their works played, and offer a commission to the "winner." I attended the 2004 readings and was mightily impressed, so when 2006 rolled around and a piece I wrote made it to the finals I was surprised and delighted, especially when the Symphony performed the Meditation movement in concert. No commission from the Symphony (although they've since played another piece I wrote), but my work was well received by both the players and the audience, and I have since gotten requests from several of the players for solo and chamber pieces.