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!]

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.

Equinox at the MCO

I love the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. The Toronto Star has described them as “Canada’s tiny, perfect chamber orchestra” and I agree. While I’ve only done arranging work for them, I’ve done it three separate times and two of those were with the brilliant folk singer (and dynamite human being) Raine Hamilton. The ensemble is so strong musically and so thoughtful with their programming that I’m … Continue reading Equinox at the MCO

“The Stars of November” at ITG2023!

We never know where a piece is going to go when we begin its journey – and it’s always we. Sure, the composer writes it, but the commissioning path includes organizations, performers, venues, sometimes festivals or events; and yes, the composer too. Kayla Solomon and Danielle Guina, the performers of “The Stars of November” have been an inseparable part of the process. The piece was … Continue reading “The Stars of November” at ITG2023!

“Nothing Gold Can Stay” (NEW WORK!)

Hey everyone, I have a new work in print! I know, even in this crazy year of remote rehearsals and streaming concerts, composers are still writing and publishers are still printing new music. I am so grateful for that. This new piece is an SATB setting of Robert Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay” and I’m so incredibly proud of it. It was commissioned by Dr. … Continue reading “Nothing Gold Can Stay” (NEW WORK!)

Music Ed Monday – Assignments for Days Without Playing

Hey team. I’ve been thinking about ways to help my fellow teachers in these uncertain times, especially considering that we won’t be playing very much to help stem transmission of COVID-19. So, I thought I’d share some of the materials/assignments that I’ve got for when we’re not playing. 1959 – The Year That Changed Jazz Four big jazz albums were released in 1959: Kind of … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – Assignments for Days Without Playing