Brandon Nelson

Brandon Nelson, composer
Curriculum Vitae

Education
-Master of Music (Composition), Central Michigan University, 2006
studied composition with David Gillingham and Jose-Luis Maurtua

-Bachelor of Music Education, Northern Michigan University, 2004

Other Education:
Practical Nursing certificate, Northern Michigan University, 2014

Professional Music Experiences
-Director of Negaunee City Band (Negaunee, MI), 2017-2022
-Director of Social Media, Polonius Sheet Music, 2014-2018
-President, Marquette Male Chorus (Marquette, MI), 2012-2015
-Music Director and Staff Arranger, Blue Notes Drum and Bugle Corps (Ishpeming, MI), 2008-2014
-K-12 Music Teacher, Baraga Area Schools (Baraga, MI), 2007-2010
-K-5 Music Teacher, Clark County School District (Las Vegas, NV), 2006-2007
-Graduate Assistant, Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant, MI), 2004-2006

Online Access to Selected Recordings
-YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/lydianv

-Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/brandonjnelson

Chronological Catalog of Compositions (With Performance Information Where Known)

–Dushna Pasha, concert band, commissioned for the Negaunee High School Band by Jacob Schmeltzer, conductor, 2025

–The Portal of the Mystery of Hope, unaccompanied tenor sax, commissioned by Drew Hosler, 2025

-Fire, Flux, CHANGE!, unaccompanied tuba, commissioned by consortium of five professional tubists, 2023

-In Light and In Shadow, trumpet and piano, commissioned by James Banks, University of Texas at Tyler, 2023

–A Fond Farewell, concert band, 2023

–Jessamine Creek Gorge, commissioned for the Jessamine County Community Band by Alan Jacobus, concert band, 2023

–Nikola Tesla: Prophet of the Electronic Age, concert band, 2023

–The City Built on the Shining Hill, concert band, 2023

performed by the Marquette City Band, Marquette, MI, Kaufman Auditorium, April 26, 2025, Dr. Steve Grugin, conductor

–Ancient Dance Rites, concert band, 2023 

–Pax Aeterna, concert band, 2023 (significant reimagining of the 2004 orchestral version)

performed by the Lake Linden-Hubbell High School Concert Band, Lake Linden, MI, April 27, 2025, Micah James, conductor

–Heart of Kings, concert band, 2023

–To New Horizons!, concert band, commissioned for the Kingsford High School Concert Band by Jacob Barnby, 2023

performed by the Kingsford High School Concert Band (Jacoby Barnby, conductor), April 27, 2023

–El Malei Rachamim: A Holocaust Memorial, concert band, 2023 (significant reimagining of the choral version)

–How Firm a Foundation, concert band, 2022

performed by the Negaunee City Band (Lucas Wickstrom, conductor), summer 2022

–Valorous Epitaphs and Odes, concert band, 2020

-Beauteous Daughter of the Aether, concert band, 2020 (under revision)

–Awesome Monster Adventure Quest Time!, concert band, 2020

–lights, flitting and waning, woodwind trio, commissioned by Triage (Beverly, MA), 2020 

performed by Triage, New Music Flute Consortium convention, Omaha, NE, 11/2024

performed by Triage, winter 2020

–Perseverantia!, concert band, commissioned for the Fitchburg State University Concert Band by Dr. Amy McGlothlin (Fitchburg, MA), 2020 

performed by the Northern Michigan University Symphonic Band (Dr. Steve Riley, conductor), spring 2025

performed by the Fitchburg State University Concert Band (Dr. Amy McGlothlin, conductor), spring 2022

–Toccata di Ferro, mixed chamber ensemble, commissioned by The Timekeepers Quintet (Negaunee, MI), 2019

performed by The Timekeepers Quintet at a concert of the Negaunee City Band, summer 2019

–Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch To Live, concert band, commissioned for the Salem State University Concert Band by Dr. Amy McGlothlin, conductor (Salem, MA), 2019

performed by the Salem State University Concert Band (Dr. Amy McGlothlin, conductor), fall 2019

–From Heaven Above She Smiles Upon Us, concert band, commissioned by the Superior Central High School Concert Band (Eben Junction, MI), 2019

performed by the Superior Central High School Concert Band (Kristy Frederickson, conductor), spring 2019

–The Four Horsemen, solo saxophones, commissioned by Dr. Brian Kauth, 2019

–Variations on a Theme of Clara Schumann, concert band, 2019

performed by the Dutchess County Music Educators Association Junior High Wind Ensemble (Steven Kieley, conductor), John Jay High School, East Fishkill, NY, January, 25, 2020

-Their Hands Were Cracked and Calloused and Red, concert band, 2018 (under revision)
performed by the Negaunee City Band (Brandon Nelson, conductor), summer 2018

–solid, liquid, gas, plasma, mixed chamber ensemble, commissioned by The ___ Experiment, 2018
Performed by The ___ Experiment
Recorded by The ___ Experiment

–Hot as fire!, sax trio, 2018

–Nyx, concert band, 2018

performed by the Golden Isles Community Band (Chris Sadowski, conductor), November 17, 2019

–As Guns Fall Silent, Mass setting for satb choir and piano, commissioned by the Phoenix Kettering Singers (Northamptonshire, UK), 2017

-The Triumph of Troy, concert band, commissioned for the Troy High School Concert Band by Sheri Schweitzer, conductor (Troy, MT), 2017 (under revision)

performed by the Negaunee City Band (Brandon Nelson, conductor), summer 2018

performed by the Troy High School Concert Band (Sheri Schweitzer, conductor), spring 2017

–Unbecoming, alto sax and piano, commissioned by Dr. Brian Kauth (New York City, NY), 2016

performed by Dr. Brian Kauth in New York City, NY, summer 2016

-A set of five pieces for woodwinds on Japanese mythology commissioned by Salem State University Woodwinds Faculty (Salem, MA), 2016:
–Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun (alto flute)
performed by Dr. Eileen Yarrison, Salem State University Center for the Arts (Salem, MA), November 7, 2016
–Raijin, God of Thunder (bass clarinet)
performed by Dr. Bill Kirkley, Salem State University Center for the Arts (Salem, MA), November 7, 2016
–Benzaiten, Goddess of All That Flows (baritone sax)
performed by Dr. Amy McGlothlin, Salem State University Center for the Arts (Salem, MA), November 7, 2016
–Izanagi and Izanami, Bringers of Life and Death (flute and clarinet)
performed by Dr. Eileen Yarrison (flute) and Dr. Bill Kirkley (clarinet), Salem State University Center for the Arts (Salem, MA), November 7, 2016
–Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (flute, alto sax, bass clarinet)
performed by Dr. Eileen Yarrison (flute), Dr. Amy McGlothlin (alto sax), Dr. Bill Kirkley (bass clarinet), Salem State University Center for the Arts (Salem, MA), November 7, 2016

–Jogo de Cartes, tenor saxophone and piano, commissioned by Philippe Trovao (Lisbon, Portugal), 2016

–des études dans le vin, contralto flute, commissioned by Marion Garver (Calgary, Alberta), 2016

performed on numerous occasions by Marion Garver

–Low in the Grave He Lay, SATB choir with organ and optional trumpets, commissioned for the Messiah Lutheran Church Choir by David Dagenais, conductor (Marquette, MI), 2016

performed by Messiah Lutheran Church Choir (David Dagenais, conductor), Messiah Lutheran Church (Marquette, MI), March 27, 2016

–An Harmonic Disquisition Upon Various Types of Cheese, for piccolo or flute quartet, 2016

performed by Dr. Eileen Yarrison and colleagues at the Flute New Music Consortium convention, Omaha, NE, 11/2025

–Treasurescapes, for SATB sax quartet, 2016

–Pharmacopoeia: One, bassoon solo with bassoon quartet, commissioned by Jolene Masone (Denton, TX), 2016

–The Emotional Lives of Colors, trumpet, piano, and percussion, commissioned by Dr. Lexie Signor (Bloomington, IN), 2016

performed by Dr. Lexie Signor (trumpet) and ensemble, Indiana University, spring 2016

–Irrational Transcendence, SATB sax quartet, 2016
performed by Drew Hosler and colleagues, Swartz Creek Performing Arts Center (Swartz Creek, MI), June 4, 2016

–As if some little Arctic flower, flute trio, commissioned by Brandon LePage (Lansing, MI), 2015
performed by the Oakland University Flute Ensemble (Rochester Hills, MI), November 6, 2022
performed by CASM flute trio, St Mary of the Annunciation Church (Rockwood, MI), April 10, 2016

–Dante Ascending, concert band, commissioned for the Oshkosh West High School Varsity Concert Band by Brian Wilson, conductor (Oshkosh, WI), 2015 (under revision)
performed by Oshkosh West High School Concert Band (Brian Wilson, conductor), Oshkosh, WI, May 17, 2016

–Four Episodes, solo viola (also transcribed for tenor sax), 2015
performances by Dr. Amy McGlothlin (tenor sax):
-Salem State University, March 24, 2016
-Pennsylvania State University Single Reeds Conference, February 12, 2016

–Dhammapada, solo prepared vibraphone, commissioned by Matthew Valenzuela (Eugene, OR), 2015

–Manannan mac Lir, flute and lever harp (also transcribed for clarinet and marimba), commissioned for Chaski by Shana Norton (Austin, TX), 2015
performances by Chaski (Adrienne Inglis, flute, Shana Norton, lever harp):
-Lake Travis Community Library (Austin, TX), September 30, 2016
-Revolution Café (San Francisco, CA), July 25, 2016
-Livermore Public Library (Livermore, CA), July 24, 2016
-House concert in El Cerrito, CA, July 23, 2016
-Oakland Public Library (Oakland, CA), July 23, 2016
-House concert in San Rafael, CA, July 22, 2016
-Westminster Presbyterian Church (Austin, TX), July 18, 2016
-Marta Stafford Fine Art Gallery (Marble Falls, TX), July 8, 2016
-St. David’s Episcopal Church (Austin, TX), March 3, 2016

–What Universe Lies Within, percussion duo, commissioned for CAn-Duo by Chris Nadeau (Dallas, TX), 2015
performed by Chris Nadeau and Joe Jones, Colorado State University, October 16, 2016

–Proteus, solo tenor sax, commissioned by Drew Hosler and Bella Barrie (Swartz Creek, MI), 2015
performed by Drew Hosler, Swartz Creek Performing Arts Center (Swartz Creek, MI), January 9, 2016

–Bizzarie di Varie Figure, woodwind quintet, commissioned for the Peachtree Consort by Lisa Bartholow (Atlanta, GA), 2015

–Noble Rappahannock, concert band, commissioned for the Mid-Atlantic Wind Symphony by Aaron Noë, conductor (Fredericksburg, VA), 2015 (under revision)
performed by the Mid-Atlantic Wind Symphony (Aaron Noe, conductor), Susan and Donald Reed Theater (Fredericksburg, VA), September 27, 2015

–PRN, soprano saxophone and piano, commissioned by Dr. Kevin Norton (Cincinnati, OH), 2015
-performed by Kevin Norton (soprano sax), Liz Ames (piano), Shenandoah University Navy Symposium (Winchester, VA), January 16, 2016
-performed by Kevin Norton (soprano sax), Brianna Matzke (piano), Miami University (Oxford, OH), October 27, 2015

-Millennial Dances, concert band, commissioned for the Chancellor High School Symphonic Band by Ryan Addair, conductor (Fredericksburg, VA), 2015 (under revision)
performed by the Chancellor High School Concert Band, Ryan Addair, conductor (Fredericksburg, VA), May 18th, 2015

-Cambridge Blue, concert band, commissioned for the University of Cambridge Concert Band by Dr. Philip Howie, conductor (Cambridge, UK), 2015 (under revision)
performed by the University of Cambridge Concert Band conducted by Dr. Philip Howie, St. Giles’ Church (Cambridge, UK), March 13, 2015

–The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, clarinet and vibraphone, commissioned by Duo Rodinia (Tallahassee, FL), 2014
performances by Duo Rodinia:
-University of Arkansas (Fort Smith), August 27, 2016
-Midwestern State University College Music Society South Central Regional Conference,
March 18, 2016
-University of Nebraska (Omaha), March 13, 2016
-Troy University, March 26, 2015
-Samford University, March 25, 2015
-Tennessee Tech University, March 24, 2015
-Yukon High School (Yukon, OK), March 10, 2015
-Oklahoma City University, March 9, 2015
-Southwestern Oklahoma State University, March 8, 2015

–Adolphic Vignettes, alto saxophone and piano, commissioned by Dr. Brian Kauth (New York City, NY), 2014
performed by Dr. Brian Kauth, Fiterman Art Gallery (New York City, NY), May 9, 2015

–They Who Decide Fate, clarinet quartet with chamber orchestra, commissioned by the Novacane Quartet (Bloomington, IN), 2014
performed by the Novacane Quartet with chamber orchestra, Indiana University (Bloomington, IN), February 5, 2016

–Cardiac Rhythms, low brass trio, commissioned by the International Low Brass Trio (San Francisco, CA), 2014
performed by the International Low Brass Trio, Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church (San Francisco, CA), December 13, 2014

–The World Colored By Snow, SATB choir and piano, commissioned by the Marquette County Chamber Chorale and Marquette Male Chorus (Marquette, MI), 2013
performed by the Marquette County Chamber Chorale and the Marquette Male Chorus Wayne Hanmer, conductor, Redeemer Lutheran Church (Marquette, MI), December 13, 2013, and December 14, 2013

-Psalm XV, SATB choir and organ, 2013

–Dusk Refrains Over Quincy Mine, trumpet and sextet, commissioned by Dr. Lexie Signor (Columbia, MO), 2012
performed by Lexie Signor (trumpet) and sextet as part of the Calumet Arts Council New Music Festival (Calumet, MI), August 4, 2012

–Postcards from Tunisia, horn duo, 2012

–Faces of Fujin, God of Wind, flute and alto saxophone, 2012
performances by Dr. Eileen Yarrison (flute), Dr. Amy McGlothlin (alto sax):
-Salem State University Center for the Arts (Salem, MA), November 7, 2016
-Pennsylvania State University Single Reeds Conference, February 12, 2016
-Gordon College (Wenham, MA), October 23, 2015

–Dreamland, solo horn, 2012

–Sawyer Heritage, concert band, commissioned for the Gwinn Middle School Eighth Grade Band by Gina Anderson, conductor (Gwinn, MI), 2011

performed by the Gwinn Middle School Eighth Grade Band (Brandon Nelson, conducting), spring 2011

–Intrada Americana, concert band, 2011

performed by the Negaunee City Band on numerous occasions

–Memorial Prayer, SATB choir and piano, commissioned for the Ishpeming High School Choir by Sheila Grazulis, conductor (Ishpeming, MI), 2011 (reimagined for concert band, 2023)

performed by the Ishpeming High School Choir (Brandon Nelson, conducting), spring 2011

–Look Down Fair Moon, SATB Choir and piano, 2011

-Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace, a’capella SATB choir, 2010

–Moments Tender and Joyous, violin and piano, 2010

-Chickering Spectres, piano, commissioned by David Dagenais, 2010

–Lullaby, piano, 2010

–Noble Calling, concert band, 2009

–The Mightiest Eagle, concert band, 2009

performed by the Negaunee City Band (Brandon Nelson, conducting), summer 2009

–For the Heart of Aphrodite, concert band, 2009

-Glory of the North Country, concert band, 2007 (under revision)

performed by the Negaunee City Band (Brandon Nelson, conducting), summer 2007

–Nebulae, solo soprano saxophone, commissioned by Seth Custer (Mt. Pleasant, MI), 2006
performed by Seth Custer, Chamichian Recital Hall, Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant, MI), Spring 2006

-Lyric Movement, orchestra, 2005 (formerly Symphony No. 1, iii)
performed by the Central Michigan University Orchestra, Staples Concert Hall (Mount Pleasant, MI), Spring 2006

–Festival Suite, SATB sax quartet, 2004
performed by Phoenix Quartet, Staples Concert Hall, Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant, MI), Winter 2004

–Meditative Alleluia, a’capella SATB choir, 2004

performed by the Northern Michigan University Choir (Dr. Floyd Slotterback, conductor), spring 2004

–Pax Aeterna, orchestra, 2003 (significantly reimagined for concert band 2023)
performances by the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, DECC Symphony Hall (Duluth, MN)
-Spring 2004
-Winter 2005

–Diptych, brass quintet, 2003

performed by the Northern Michigan University Student Brass Quintet, winter 2003

–Snow, falling, woodwind trio, 2003

–Poeme, woodwind quintet, 2003

performed by the Northern Michigan University student woodwind quintet, winter 2003

-into infinity…, piano solo, 2003

performed by the composer at a Northern Michigan University student recital, fall 2003

–Scherzo, woodwind trio, 2002

performed by student woodwind trio at a Northern Michigan University student recital, fall 2002

-On an Old Sailor’s Tune, concert band, 2002 (under revision)

performed by the Northern Michigan University Symphonic Band (Dr. Stephen Grugin, conductor), spring 2002

-Enduring Freedom, concert band, 2002

performed by the Northern Michigan University Symphonic Band (Dr. Stephen Grugin, conductor), spring 2002

performed by the Negaunee City Band (Brandon Nelson, conducting), summer 2002

Photos