In early 2023, the MTSD middle school bands commissioned Tyler S. Grant to compose a piece for our 7th & 8th Grade Band. This piece will receive its world premiere in the James Barr Performing Arts Center on Thursday, May 16th. In preparation for this performance, and to engage students in the compositional process, Tyler will be meeting virtually with our 7th & 8th Grade Band throughout this school year. The 7th & 8th Grade Band will have their first chance to ask him questions on Monday, November 20th. We are extremely excited about this opportunity since our students always enjoy learning and performing Tyler’s music. The piece that he will compose for us will be distributed and performed worldwide
Tyler is a talented Atlanta-based composer whose first published work was a piece that he wrote for his middle school band when he was only 13 years old. In fact, we programmed that piece as soon as it was released back in 2009, and our Sixth Grade Band performed it again last spring. Still in his 20s, Tyler has an impressive catalog of works for bands, and he continues to compose high-quality literature for young bands like ours.
His music is featured regularly in performances by both region and all-state honor ensembles and is also featured annually on Editor’s or Publisher’s Choice Repertoire Lists around the world. His work, Panoramic Fanfare, was a winner of the Dallas Wind Symphony’s 2014 “Call for Fanfares” Competition and he was recently recognized by JW Pepper as one of "3 Outstanding Composers to Keep Your Eye On.”
We have already received great support. Donors will be recognized in the MTSD Middle School Band concert programs this year. Please visit the MTSD Middle School Website for more information.
If you would like to donate to this project, please visit our Classmunity Page to contribute. Thank you for your support of music in our schools!
Brad Feigles and Abbe Somerhalder
Steffen Band Directors