JAMES SYLER

C O M P O S E R
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WELCOME  


  

"Syler's music is a tasteful blend of

tradition and innovation... his gift of lyricism within a dramatic framework is apparent to all who listen."

~ San Antonio Symphony Program Notes

 

 

"I listened to your work and I like it! I think it's imaginative and evocative."

~ Morton Gould, Composer

 

 

"One thing that is particularly effective about the work 'Minton's Playhouse' is that one feels it is a piece for jazz ensemble, 'framed' by the colors and textures of the full wind ensemble."

~ Fanfare Magazine, July/August 2002

 

 

"He is one of the few young composers whose music has moved me."

~ Michael Colgrass, Composer 

 

 

"I find that his music is sophisticated, fresh and vital."

~ Frank Battisti, Conductor

   New England Conservatory

 

 

"In the twenty-one years I have been conducting, I don't know that I've ever seen my choir become so attached to a piece as immediately as they did to 'Dear Sarah'. It was one of the most musically and artistically rewarding new pieces that I've had the pleasure to work on."

~ Sharon Paul, Choral Conductor

   University of Oregon

 

 

A Composer's Insight, Vol. 1: Thoughts, Analysis and Commentary on Contemporary 

Masterpieces for Wind Band

by Timothy Salzman, Editor

 

     

 

This book published by Meredith Music features a chapter specifically on my wind ensemble works. An excellent resource full of information and commentary about the work of 12 contemporary composers. 

Features the music of:

  Timothy Broege

  Michael Colgrass

  Michael Daugherty

  David Gillingham

  John Harbison

  Karel Husa

  Yasuhide Ito

  Cindy McTee

  Alfred Reed

  Joseph Schwantner

  David Stanhope

  James Syler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Premieres
of New Commission
    A Blue Streak
         for Chamber Winds

A consortium of 20 colleges, in conjunction with the CBDNA, have commissioned this new chamber winds work. The first of 20 premieres will be this March 13 at the College Music Society SW Region Conference in San Antonio.
 
Many thanks to this distinguished consortium and their commitment to new music.
Alain Cazes, McGill University, Montreal
Charles Conrad, Indiana Wind Symphony   
Brian K. Doyle, The Crane School of Music   
Rob Dunham, Georgia Southern University   
Kevin Geraldi, Univ of North Carolina Greensboro  
Robert Halseth, California State Univ Sacramento   
Scott Lubaroff, University of Central Missouri
Donald Miller, University of Texas at San Antonio
J. Steven Moore, Colorado State University   

Nikk Pilato, University of Georgia   
Jeffrey Renshaw, University of Connecticut
James Ripley, Carthage College
Dana Rothlisberger, Towson University   
Mark Davis Scatterday, Eastman School of Music   
Robert Spradling, Western Michigan University
David Montgomery, Western Michigan University
Jack Stamp, Indiana University of Pennsylvania   
Steve Steele, Illinois State University   
Frank Tracz, Kansas State University   
Steven Ward, Abilene Christian University    
 
The work is for 9 winds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba) and jazz drummer. It is aggressive music and a wild ride of continuous "talk": like the American expression "to talk a blue streak" - a never ending stream of words. The duration is about 8 minutes in a one movement hybrid work using the energy of bebop, 12-bar blues, contrapuntal techniques, and the virtuosity of Classical music.
 

E-mail jamessyler@aol.com
Phone 210.698.9738   Fax 210.698.1521