Ben Miles
Tubist/Composer/Educator
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COMPOSITIONS>
Check out my "Audio" page for recordings of many of my compositions!
Suite in One Movement (2015) **NEW** Level: HS/College
(2015) Length: 8:30
Suite in One Movement was composed with the advanced high school/early college player in mind. Limitations were considered with regard to technique, range, and harmonic language, without sacrificing musicality. It is, essentially, a three-movement work presented as one movement. The opening eight notes in the piano introduce the main theme of the work, which is again repeated in the final section. A beautiful, lyrical middle section that demonstrates the singing ability of the tuba is followed by an energetic, dance-like finale. The work can be performed successfully on both the bass and contrabass tuba.
The suite is dedicated to those who we have loved and lost, especially those in my own family. But rather than lamenting their loss, the piece is a celebration of their lives.
Venture for Low Brass Quartet (2015) **NEW** Level: HS/College
(2015) Length: 6:30
"Venture" opens with a flowing lyrical melody followed by a winding trio. Candenza-like sections, which feature each of the voices as soloists, act as transitions between each of the sections. Taking a page from movie scores, the allegro is an experiment with the diminished scale. Four major chords act as the harmony throughout as the allegro comes to a rousing conclusion!
Students at Middle Tennessee State University asked me to compose a work for their chamber ensemble and specifically requested that it be performable by younger (advanced high school/earlly college) players. While originally composed for four euphoniums, "Venture" can be performed by a trombone quartet, orchestral low brass section, or a (very good) tuba-euphonium ensemble.
Festival Fanfare for 6-part Tuba Euphonium Ensemble (2015) **NEW** Level: HS/College
(2015) Length: 2:30
"Festival Fanfare" was written for and dedicated to the Middle Tennessee Tuba Euphonium Ensemble Festival (MTTEEF). MTTEEF is an annual event held at Middle Tennessee State University that invites the top high school tuba and euphonium students in Tennessee. The piece has a range suitable for the advanced high school and early college player and is written with an accessible tonal vocabulary for both the performers and audience.
Concerto a la Mode (2013) Level: Advanced
(2013) Length: 14:45
As its title implies, Concerto a la mode was composed both as a journey in exploring different styles and as a treat for the audience and performer. After a slow, lyrical introduction, the first movement, “Flan de Queso,” erupts into a Spanish march that pushes the performer to his or her limits. Percussion acts as a motor throughout the movement, which ends with a lyrical transition to “Crêpe Suzette.” The solo tuba line sings throughout the second movement, backed by the lush harmonies of the accompaniment. Drum set kicks off the final movement, which features a driving rock/jazz style throughout. Influenced by its American popular music roots, “Apple Pie” has an improvisatory feel in the solo tuba line and a “tonality with a bite” harmonic vocabulary.
Concerto a la mode was written in 2013 and premiered by the composer at the South Central and Midwest ITEA Conferences. The 15-minute work was inspired by the composer’s interest in having a virtual symphonic orchestra as the accompaniment and as an alternate means of performance. In addition to versions for orchestra and band accompaniment, the piece is performable with CD/mp3 accompaniment and also with a piano and percussion reduction.
Fantasy for Flute and Tuba (2012) Level: Advanced
Length: 9:15
For the Flutist:
The Fantasy is a 4-movement work that displays the virtuosic abilities of the flute and the gentle, but sometimes raucous side of the tuba. Each movement is titled after memories from the composer’s childhood. “Tylopilus” is reminiscent of a stroll through the woods. The peaceful flute melody portrays innocence while the ending signifies the difficulties that come with age. “Taris” ponders the morality of “good vs. evil,” with “good” finally winning out. “Traverse” could be subtitled, “A Night on the Town.” It is about the bond, not just between the flute and the tuba, but between the performers themselves. “Tartarus,” again, is about the difficulties that we encounter throughout life and, ultimately, the paths that lead us to who we are today.
For the Tubist:
Okay, ignore everything that I wrote up above, I just made that up! If you have not deciphered the titles of these movements yet (shame on you!), they are based on my favorite video game worlds. Many of the themes (sorry I had to give most of them to the flute) are reminiscent of the background music that exists while exploring and fighting our way through these worlds. “Tylopilus” is a type of mushroom, so imagine a plumber searching for a princess. The subtitle for “Taris” would be: “A very far away world, a long, long time ago” . . . or something like that. “Traverse” is based on a town where a popular fantasy world collided with children’s stories. While the first three movements are about exploring these worlds, the last movement, “Tartarus,” is the build up to the final battle scene and has a connection to one of my alma maters. Or, you can just about insert any game title here _________________. Good luck with your journey and don’t show these notes to the flutist!
Contraptions for Solo Tuba (2011) Level: Advanced
Length: 10:00
Contraptions for Solo Tuba was composed and premiered in 2009 at Wright State University. Miles later performed this work at the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference, held in Tucson, AZ. Each of the movements is a musical representation of some sort of mechanical contraption, or the parts that make up a machine. “Pulleys, Gears, Cogs, and Levers” is based on a life-sized version of the children’s game, Mouse Trap, complete with all of the twists and turns. “Hot Air Balloon” is a free, lyrical movement based on a floating hot air balloon ride. It is quite the contrast from “Roller Coaster,” a close musical representation of a high-speed thrill ride. “Bulldozer” – the working man’s contraption – pushes the tuba to its limits with regard to volume, power, and control in the low-range as it completes its daily tasks. Contraptions concludes with “Conveyor Belt.” This belt is not your typical, unexciting belt, but is inspired by the composer’s visit to a potato chip factory, where a mile-long belt would transport potatoes from one end of a factory, soaring through ovens, cutting machines, and seasoning rooms.
Sonatina for Tuba and Piano (2005) Level: HS/College
Length: 9:00
ISonatina for Tuba and Piano and Perspectives for Solo Tuba were both completed in 2004 as part of Miles’ dissertation project, titled "A Study of Intermediate Tuba Composition." The works were written for the advanced high school/early college player, who would typically perform on a BBb or CC contrabass tuba. While the works do include some fast, technical passages, they are more limited with regard to harmonic language and range.
Perspectives for Solo Tuba (2005) Level: HS/College
Length: 4:00
ISonatina for Tuba and Piano and Perspectives for Solo Tuba were both completed in 2004 as part of Miles’ dissertation project, titled "A Study of Intermediate Tuba Composition." The works were written for the advanced high school/early college player, who would typically perform on a BBb or CC contrabass tuba. While the works do include some fast, technical passages, they are more limited with regard to harmonic language and range.
Three Sketches for Tuba and Piano (2003) Level: Advanced
Length: 9:00
I"Three Sketches" is Miles' first composition for tuba. Written for the advanced player, this work requires an extended range and technique. Built upon melodic fragments, the piece is not based on a tonal center. The piece was premiered at Miles' 2004 DMA recital and then performed at the 2005 Midwest Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference.