Howard J. Buss

Howard Buss’ more than 100 published works include instrumental and vocal solos, symphonic, choral, and band compositions, and chamber music. They have been performed by faculty artists at major universities as well as by players from prestigious organizations such as the New York Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Toronto Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, and 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. In 2005, he received an ASCAP Award for significant performances of his music in noncommercial media. 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. E-mail: hbuss@brixtonpublications.com. Website: www.brixtonpublications.com/howard_j_buss-2.html

Premieres

In the Mirror of Time was first heard November 1, 2004, in a performance by clarinetist Gregory Barrett, violinist Mathias Tacke, and cellist Marc Johnson, Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. On November 23, Spanish Memoirs was premiered by trumpeter Jay Coble and the University of South Florida Percussion Ensemble in Tampa, under the direction of Robert McCormick. Five Stars for wind quintet was premiered by the Pegasus Quintet on January 22, 2005, at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, and performed again at the International Double Reed Society Conference hosted by the University of Texas in Austin. Hurricane! for solo flute was presented by Nora Lee Garcia on January 23 at the University of Central Florida and performed again on January 29 at the Florida Flute Association Convention in Daytona Beach. Trumpeter Sheryl Linch and percussionist Don Parker premiered the work Atmospheres on March 22, at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina; the same duo performed the work again on April 23 at the Mississippi Day of Percussion hosted by Hind Community College in Jackson, MS. Stellar Visions was premiered August 12 by flutist Kim McCormick and marimbist Robert McCormick at the National Flute Association Convention in San Diego, CA.

Performances

On November 1, 2004, Postcards from Vienna was performed by Gregory Barrett, clarinet, and Jeong Soo Kim, piano, Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Capriccio was presented on November 28 by trombonist Richard Human Jr., clarinetist Sheri Falcone, and percussionist Jason Baker, Mississippi State University, Starksville. The solo trombone work Camel Music was performed December 6 by Greg Springer at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg; it was also heard in performance May 5 by Louis Leibowitz, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Night Flight was featured on a radio broadcast February 3, 2005, on WUOT 91.9FM Knoxville (TN) with Lois Bliss Herbine, piccolo; Allison Herz, clarinet; and Charles Abramovic, piano. On March 28, trombonist Keith Jackson, and bass trombonist John Olsson performed Time Capsule at West Virginia University, Wheeling. Trombonist Amanda Rollins presented A Day in the City on April 9 at the College of Wooster, in Ohio.

Publications

Atmospheres, trumpet/flugelhorn and one percussionist; Stellar Visions, flute and marimba; Five Stars for wind quintet; Ballad, version for bassoon and piano; Seaside Reflections, version for oboe and piano; Time Capsule, version for oboe and bassoon; Village Scenes, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon; Skylines, version for English horn and piano; all by Brixton Publications.

Recordings

The CD Take Wing includes “Night Flight,” with Lois Bliss Herbine, piccolo; Allison Herz, clarinet; and Charles Abramovic, piano. Crystal Records CD713.

Further Information

• 2003-2004 American Composers Update
• 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