▼ Wishing on the Moon is a composition for solo erhu and orchestra. It was inspired by a melody transmitted orally by a member of the Tsou, a Taiwanese aboriginal tribe. Approximately 12 minutes in length, the one-movement composition has three section and evokes dance, dreams, wishes, love, and a beautiful land.n Advisors/Committee Members: Phillips, Mark.

▼ “Dippermouth” is a small-scale concerto grosso for solo alto saxophone, trumpet, piano and chamber orchestra and is composed in celebration of the centennial of the birth of Louis Armstrong. Not only is the title of the thesis is derived from Armstrong's nickname during his years with King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, but the entire work is based upon a five note motive which is found in nearly every Armstrong recording. Also the pitch “D” (referring to Dipper) is quite prominent throughout. The thesis is approximately 13 minutes in duration and is divided into three main sections: Stomp, Blues, and Ragtime. These names refer more to stylistic characteristics than to formal outlines. Advisors/Committee Members: Phillips, Mark.

▼ I wrote Iron John for my good friend Scot Fitzsimmons at a time when we were both changing our lives completely, with Scot pursuing a career as a Bass soloist and me starting a family and going back to school. We both left our comfortable lives playing in bands where we were established to try something new. The title refers to a nickname Scot gave me one day. When I asked him why, he said that I had the ability to get him to do things that he never would have done. I took it as a compliment. The music is my interpretation of Scot and our relationship. It has a little of me and a little of him. The main melody, and pizzicato accompaniment, I wrote on my daughter’s ukulele. The rest of the piece is that material rearranged. Advisors/Committee Members: Phillips, Mark.