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COMPOSITIONS

Why Writing?

At the beginning of 2021, tragedy struck my school band program. My middle school band director passed away suddenly. This loss was particularly brutal as he was one of my first mentors and the person who inspired my love of music in the first place. I was at sad, angry, and confused and had nowhere to put all of those feelings. My high school band director suggested that I use composition as a form of journaling, a way to channel my emotions. And so I went home, sat at the piano, and poured my heart into my music, telling it the things that I didn't feel like I could say out loud. It felt so good, so freeing, to turn a sad ending with such ugly feelings into something beautiful and hopeful. From that moment on, composition has become a significant part of my life and the way that I process the world around me.
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Large Ensemble

I'm Beginning to See the Light, arrangement (2024)

          For Jazz Ensemble

Performed at the BCAS Summer Jazz Camp

Legacy, A Tribute to Mr. David Neubauer (2022)

For Concert Band

Premiered by the Hamilton High School Wind Ensemble​

Saxophone

Pictures of a Night Sky (2024)

          For Tenor Saxophone and Piano

          Premiered by Korah De Leon and Bella Meier

Roads (2023)

          For Alto Saxophone and Piano

          Premiered by Mia Traverse and Dr. Amanda Hopson

For the Bold and Brave (2022)

          For Alto Saxophone Duet with Piano

          Premiered by Megan Dudenhoeffer and Mia Traverse

A Familiar New (2022)

For Piano and Soprano Saxophone

Other

Dare to Dream (2024)

          For Bb Clarinet and Piano

          Premiered by Erin Balaska and Dr. Amanda Hopson

Interested in purchasing? Click below to browse all of Mia's selections for sale: Sheet Music Direct

Chamber Ensemble

Shades of Blue (2024)

          For Saxophone Quartet

          Written for the Blue Box Saxophone Quartet

Pocket Full O' Smiles (2024)

For Saxophone Quartet

Premiered by the Blue Box Saxophone Quartet

Songs and Sunrises (2024)

For Clarinet Choir

Premiered by the Butler University Clarinet Studio

Greensleeves, arrangement (2021)

For Saxophone Quartet

Performed by the 2 Sharp Saxophone Quartet

Lull and Frenzy (2019)

For Saxophone Quartet

Premiered by the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Saxophone Quartet

Jazz Combo

The Streetbeater, arrangement (2025)

          For 5 Trombones & Rhythm Section

          Written for the Naptown Trombone Ensemble

Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise, arrangement (2024)

          For Jazz Sextet

          Performed by the Butler University Jazz Combo

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, arrangement (2024)

          For Jazz Sextet

          Performed by the Butler University Jazz Combo

How High the Moon, arrangement (2024)

          For Jazz Septet, with Vocals

          Performed by the Butler University Jazz Combo

Side by Side (2024)

For Jazz Octet

Premiered by the Butler University Jazz Faculty

Meditation, arrangement (2024)

For Jazz Sextet, with Vocals

Performed by the Butler University Jazz Faculty

Pasos de Silhuetas (2020)

For Jazz Nonet

Premiered by the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Bronzeville Jazz Combo

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