Episode 41 - Tyler S. Grant

Jan 1, 2018

Composer Tyler S. Grant has enjoyed a meteoric rise to success and is one of the most exciting and interesting young composers for band today. In this  interview Tyler tells his story and provides insight into his background and career.

Topics:

• Tyler’s musical background and the story of how he ended up writing music at a very early age and his early relationship with Brian Balmages at FJH Publications.
• His early experiences working as a conductor with students that are very close to his age and the growth he’s seen as a music education student at the University of Alabama.
• The thought process behind Tyler’s decision to have his young band works commercially published while self-publishing his works for more advanced ensembles.
• His experience with honor bands, his compositional process, and his thoughts about commissioning and consortiums.

Links:

• Tyler S. Grant
• FJH Music Company
• University of Alabama
• Tyler S. Grant: “Solace in Equinox”
• Adam Schoeberg: “Symphony no. 2”
• Frank Ticheli “Rest”

Biography:

Tyler S. Grant (b. June 23, 1995) has written numerous award-winning works for concert bands, marching bands and chamber groups; many of which have been performed around the world and by musicians of all levels. His works for wind band have been found on Editor’s Choice lists from various international music distributors in addition to being performed by many region and state-wide honor bands. His work Panoramic Fanfare was named a winner in the 2014 “Call for Fanfares” Competition hosted by the Dallas Wind Symphony. The fanfare has since been performed by collegiate and professional ensembles in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. Since 2010, he has regularly accepted commissions for new works and produced new publications for bands and chamber groups each year. While he has never formally studied composition, he credits his mentors Brian Balmages and Randall Coleman as being pivotal to his success as a composer and a conductor. Notable performance venues of his work include The Midwest Clinic, Carnegie Hall, Meyerson Symphony Center (Dallas), The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and numerous state-wide, national, and international music conventions. Upcoming commissions and appearances include performances by: The Georgia Wind Symphony, Redstone Brass, Kennesaw State University Wind Ensemble, University of Alabama Concert Bands, Ohio State University Concert Bands,  United States Naval Academy's Midshipmen Drum & Bugle Corps, trombonist Jon Whitaker, and many other middle-school and high-school ensembles in the United States and Canada. 

In addition to his writing, Tyler enjoys conducting and clinic engagements with ensembles throughout the United States. His rehearsal style has been described as “engaging and energetic, sprinkled with humor and the occasional life lesson”. Tyler was recently a contributing author in Alfred Music Publishing Company’s Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development series and has contributed interviews to numerous podcasts and articles including School Band & Orchestra Magazine and The Instrumentalist.

Currently, Tyler is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Music at the University of Alabama while maintaining his active composing and conducting schedule. His more than 20 published works are available through The FJH Music Company, Inc. and Tyler S. Grant Music Works.