I have played music since 2nd Grade when I started piano. Eventually, the songs became too complex to play with a hand and an arm (see the home page). That is when I started arranging and composing music. Originally I just changed all of the chords to the left hand so I could play them, and it worked fine. Melody in the right hand, and chords on the left. Eventually, I started coming up with my own melodies and made a few compositions of my own. From there I have grown.
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Overview and Background
Overview and Background
The Composer
The Composer
Jarod Hart is a composer and conductor, currently working on his bachelor’s degree at Iowa State University majoring in Music Education and Composition as well as studying horn and organ. His works have been recorded and performed by many ensembles including Horns of the Heartland, Ames Youth Choir, and the Iowa State Wind Ensemble. Most of his works are for band, orchestra, choir, or horn ensembles, but he also enjoys writing for piano, organ, solo instruments, and theatre- including his musicals: The Tragedy of Macbeth and Little Miss Apocalypse. Many of his works draw inspiration from texts or personal life experiences with his music being fluent in many classical and jazz styles. Jarod has performed or conducted in Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, and Tanglewood’s Studio E. He is a frequently asked to coach ensembles across the nation and is sought after as music director for musicals in central Iowa and often works as a clinician for local school ensembles. When not making music, Jarod enjoys teaching or spending as much time hiking, running, biking, or paddling as possible.
Piano
Piano
The instrument I first learned and have held dear ever since. I have made many piano compositions and I have one song available to listen to and view online.
Band
Band
I play French Horn for concert band, and Trumpet for jazz band, and as such, writing for band is very natural for me and one of my favorite things to do. My first major composition undertaking was a work for band. It was not successful in what I was trying to achieve, but I work on it every now and then to try and improve it. I am proud of it, and maybe someday I will release it, but it is still unfit for other eyes.
In the mean time, I wrote a different band piece based of a work of Shakespeare's. It is "The Phoenix and the Turtle" and while it was availalbe, it is now temporarily off the market. I have one work for beginning band currently available. Entitled "Rain Song," it is available through Timeworks LLC. I was asked to write a piece for band for the retirement of my high school band director. He was a large fan of marches which gave me a great form to work with, and I even incorporated his favorite hymn, "Beautiful Savior" into the trio section. "Forevermore March" was premiered in the spring of 2026, and the performance can be found on my YouTube channel. I hope for it to be available for purchase soon.
Orchestra
Orchestra
I play horn in the Iowa State Orchestra currently, and have made two orchestra pieces. The first is one my absolute favorites and is a very pirate-y type piece. You can listen to it here. My second piece for orchestra is very recently completed and is a professional level difficulty. Writing a symphony is certainly something on my list of things to write.
Choir
Choir
Choir has been a big part of my musical growth even though I have written many more instrumental pieces than I have vocal pieces. I have a piece for choir entitled "The Spell of the Yukon" that was supposed to be the first performed of any of my works. It is not yet currently available for purchase anywhere, but I hope to make it so soon. A recording of it can be found on YouTube with piano accompaniment even though it is meant to be sung a capella.
In recent years, I have been commissioned by many choirs including the Ames Youth Choirs, Iowa State University's Lyrica Choir, and my home church choir to write pieces. Many of these are soon to becoming available. My work with Lyrica and Sing Me A Story was covered by KCCI news and can be found online.
Available Works
Available Works
You can also navigate to these pages from the dropdown menu at the top of the page, but here is a full list of what is available.
To Higher Peaks (Horn Quartet or Brass Quintet)
Variations for Horn (Unaccompanied Horn)
Summer Eve (duet for Marimba and Vibraphone)
Trio Variations (for Horn, Clarinet, and Bassoon)
Crystals (for Horn Choir)
American Scenes (song cycle for Baritone, Contralto, or Baritone and Horn)
City of Stories Song Cycle (historical song cycle for piano and voice)
Rain Song (Grade 1, Band)
Passacaglia Rondo (for Trombone Choir and Organ)
Audio and Video:
Audio and Video:
Some works are not yet available for purchase, but hopefully will be soon, and you can hear the recordings of them at Audio.com or on YouTube!
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
Over the course of the next several months to years I am looking to make more of my works available on JW Pepper or my own publishing company that is very close to going live. Here is what you can expect to see:
-some piano works, mostly beginner level, some rags
-a piece for Men's Choir entitled "The Spell of the Yukon"
-Band works of many kinds and styles including multiple original works and one transcription
-A SA choir piece with piano and flute entitled "But Not to Me" that was commissioned by the Ames Youth Choir.
A SSA choir piece with piano entitled "The Adventures of Super B!" that was commissioned by the Iowa State University Lyrica Choir
-The Tragedy of Macbeth and Little Miss Apocalypse
-and more!
Photo credits to Benjamin Gruwell Photography.
If you are interested in getting ahold of me to look further into scores not yet publically available for purchase, commissioning me for a project, or anything else, please contact me at jarodh@iastate.edu
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