Howard J. Buss

Howard Buss’ more than 100 published works include instrumental and vocal solos, chamber music, and symphonic, choral, and band compositions. They have been performed by faculty artists at major universities as well as by players from prestigious organizations such as the New York Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, Chicago Symphony, and the Washington DC-based military bands. His commissioned works include numerous original compositions as well as arrangements. His works are fast becoming part of the standard repertoire in concert halls. During 2004 Howard Buss received an ASCAP Award for significant performances of his music in noncommercial media. His composition Prelude and Dance was named winner of the 2004 Newly-Published Music Competition of the National Flute Association. Dr. Buss is founder and editor of Brixton Publications (ASCAP) and Howard J. Buss Publications (BMI), which publish accessible contemporary American music in the tradition of Gershwin, Copland, and Bernstein. An online catalog is available at www.brixtonpublications.com, and a free printed catalog of sheet music and CDs may be requested from Brixton Publications; 4311 Braemar Avenue; Lakeland, FL 33813-1608. Phone/fax: 863-646-0961. Email: hbuss@brixtonpublications.com. Web site: www.brixtonpublications.com/howard_j_buss-2.html

Premieres

Romance and Caprice was premiered January 24, 2004, by flutists Nora Lee Garcia and Kim McCormick with pianist Jason Aquila at the University of Central Florida, Orlando; the same group performed the work again on January 31 at the Florida Flute Association Convention, Daytona Beach. Bass trombonist Jonathan Warburton and pianist Gilbert Cowlishaw performed Ballad on May 9 at the Chetham School of Music, Manchester, England. Festive Overture received its first performance April 22 from the University of South Florida Trumpet Ensemble directed by Jay Coble, and was performed again on June 16 at the International Trumpet Guild Conference hosted by the University of Denver, CO. Felinity, in a version for 2 clarinets, was first heard May 23, performed by Henry Hansen and Elizabeth McAllister, in Nevada City, CA.

Performances

Legacy of Ancient Seas was performed by clarinetist Jonathan Cohler and pianist Shizue Sano on September 23, 2003, at the Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA. Trombonist Jimmy Clark and violinist Mark Miller presented Fables from Aesop on September 29, at Texas A&M University in Commerce, and on October 10, at St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas, TX; the same work was also performed by Thomas and Jane Polett, on April 13, 2004, at Culver-Stockton College, Canton, MO. Boom Time for trombone and percussion was performed by Brad Palmer and Paul Vaillancourt on November 10, 2003, at the RiverCenter Studio Theatre in Columbus, GA, and again April 19, 2004, at Columbus (GA) State University; the piece was also performed by the Djenum Duo on April 27 in Barcelona, Spain, and broadcast live over the COM Radio Network. Awakening for clarinet, guitar, and string bass was performed November 18 by Gregory Barrett, Fareed Hauge, and Marlene Rosenberg at Northern Illinois University, and by Trio Todas on March 6, 2004, at the Reedwood Friends Church, Portland, OR. On January 24 at the Oakland (CA) Metro Theatre, clarinetist Christen Hablewitz performed Santiago Legend for Solo Clarinet and Fantasia with flutist David Uyeno and pianist Frances Martin; Tennessee Suite was presented January 31 by flutist Shelley Binder, violist Sheila Brown, and pianist Fay Adams at the Florida Flute Fair in Dayton Beach. Coexistence was performed February 15 by clarinetist Julio Fresneda and the OSA Percussion Quartet in Centre Cultural in Alcoy, Spain. Modern Times, for narrator, flute, and percussion ensemble, was broadcast June 9 over WMNF-FM, Tampa, while Pipe Dream for solo flute was performed by Kim McCormick on June 13 at the Festival Internacional de Flautistas, Conservatorio Superior Nacional de Musica, Quito, Ecuador.

Publications

Festive Overture, 8-part trumpet ensemble; The Walls of Jericho, solo trumpet and 6-part trumpet ensemble; Overture for Percussion, four percussionists; Romance and Caprice, flute, alto flute, and piano; Ballad, bass trombone (or tuba) and piano; In the Mirror of Time, clarinet, violin, and cello; all by Brixton Publications.

Recordings

“Howard J. Buss: Modern Times:” Overture for Percussion, Scenes from the Holy Land for flute and one percussion; Currents for percussion quartet; Modern Times for narrator, flute, and 4 percussion; Capstone Records CPS-8735.

Further Information

• 2002-2003 American Composers Update
• 2001-2002 American Composers Update
• 2000-2001 American Composers Update
• 1999-2000 American Composers Update
• 1998-1999 American Composers Update
• 1997-1998 American Composers Update
• 1996-1997 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online
• SAI's Music for Young People section