Lighthouse Music II (SNES Edition)
Hey everyone, After an incredibly intense few months of composing and prepping for the ASU premiere of Arcadia (post about that coming soon), I’ve been reconnecting with some of my favourite pieces of music and, to be honest, finding my way back to ones from SNES. So, here’s a short burst of some of my faves: 1) “Close to Home” from Uncharted Waters: New Horizions … Continue reading Lighthouse Music II (SNES Edition)
ITF 2024 Reflection
I’m writing this while waiting for the flight at Dallas Fort Worth airport and reflecting back on this weekend at the International Trombone Festival. I heard some incredible music, had some great laughs with new colleagues, some deep talks with Nora Wilson (who absolutely crushed the performance of Arcadia Trombonica, more on that later), and if we’re being honest, ate some incredible barbecue. Let’s start … Continue reading ITF 2024 Reflection
ITF 2024!
Hey everyone, Dr. Nora Wilson and I will be at the International Trombone Festival 2024 in Fort Worth, TX this weekend for the premiere of my new piece, Arcadia Trombonica, performed by Nora herself! It’s going to be amazing and we hope to see you there! If you heard the piece and would like to purchase it, you can do so here! Continue reading ITF 2024!
Music Ed Monday – Contributing
I feel like I’m seeing a lot about “journeys” lately—weight-loss journeys, wellness journeys, etc. I’ve been reflecting on the burnout that I felt through most of the last few years and I’ve been reframing it as a “burnout journey,” which feels right to me. For most of 2022 and 2023, I had no vitality, and I use that word really specifically. I think of vitality … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – Contributing
Four Zero (Looking Back)
It’s December 30th, 2023. It’s the day before my 40th birthday. I reflect on things quite a lot – sometimes for good, sometimes to my own detriment – and I find myself thinking back about my last decade, particularly the creative aspects of it. The teaching part was generally really great, but I’m not going to focus on that here. Let’s dig into the decade … Continue reading Four Zero (Looking Back)
Prairie Sunset and Icelandic Folk Song Suite No. 2 [IN PRINT!]
Hey everyone, I hope your fall has been cruising along swimmingly. My two WASBE competition winners, “Prairie Sunset” (Level 2) and “Icelandic Folk Song Suite No. 2” (Level 4) are out in print this weekend! You can pick them up here: Prairie Sunset: https://www.wasbe.online/product/prairie-sunset-by-keneley-kristofferson-canada Icelandic Folk Song Suite No. 2: https://www.wasbe.online/product/icelandic-folk-song-suite-no-2-by-keneley-kristofferson-canada Continue reading Prairie Sunset and Icelandic Folk Song Suite No. 2 [IN PRINT!]
Winning the WASBE Competition
In my mind, it was so unlikely that I almost couldn’t believe it when the results were announced. When thinking about competitions, I often remind myself about American composer Eric Whitacre’s blog post about the topic. In short: You won’t win, but throwing your hat in the ring will have other creative, emotional, and professional benefits – but you won’t win. When I got an … Continue reading Winning the WASBE Competition
Black Bear
Hey team, Wow, I’m so happy that I can finally share this recording. This project has been some good months in the making and is really special to me. If you’re wondering why, check out this video below: This recording is done by the premiering ensemble, the Gimli High School Senior Concert Band with guests, directed by the incredible music educator, Rob Chrol. He’s the … Continue reading Black Bear
Shop Update!
Hey everyone, Just two quick updates! The first is that the online store is FINALLY up-and-running! All of the gremlins are out of the back end and everything works. Delivery is in PDFs and currency is in CAD so, for my US friends, this is one heck of a deal on band music. The second is that some of the pieces are in competition until … Continue reading Shop Update!
Reflection: “Icelandic Folk Song Suite” live 8 years later.
I just had awesome night. Like, positively spell-binding. The University of Manitoba Concert Band just performed ALL FOUR movements of Icelandic Folk Song Suite at their concert on March 31st, 2023 at Centre-Culturel Franco Manitobain (or CCFM, for short), conducted by Dr. Jacquie Dawson. So, Dr. Dawson conducted the premiere of this piece eight years ago in my hometown of Gimli, MB; but even better, … Continue reading Reflection: “Icelandic Folk Song Suite” live 8 years later.