News
Rocket City Trombone Christmas
17 December 2022
The Rocket City Trombones, a community trombone ensemble, performed music by Don Bowyer in a concert on 17 December 2022. The pieces for this Trombone Christmas concert included arrangements of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and Away in a Manger.
IMPAC2022
14 December 2022
Don Bowyer presented his composition Improvisatory Images as part of the online IMPAC2022 conference hosted by the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Malaysia on 14 December 2022.
Rocket City Trombones
05 November 2022
The Rocket City Trombones, a community trombone ensemble, performed music by Don Bowyer in a concert on 05 November 2022. The pieces included an original composition, Ellos Huesos, an arrangement of the jazz standard St. Louis Blues, and an arrangement of This is the Record of John, by Orlando Gibbons.
CD Release
28 October 2022
Navona Records released Sparks: Eye of London on 28 October 2022. The CD includes Don Bowyer's composition Lockdown Themes performed by The London Symphony Orchestra. A total of eleven short fanfares for orchestra by eleven contemporary composers are included on the recording project.
Alabama Jazz Collective
22 August 2022
Don Bowyer performed with the Alabama Jazz Collective in a concert at the University of Alabama on 22 August 2022.
Rocket City Trombones
28 July 2022
The Rocket City Trombones, a community trombone ensemble, performed music by Don Bowyer in a concert on 28 July 2022. The pieces included an original composition, Lockdown Trombones, and an arrangement, When the Saints Go Marching In.
International Trombone Festival
15 July 2022
The Bordertown Bones, a community trombone ensemble directed by Dr. Alexandra Zacharella, performed a composition by Don Bowyer at the International Trombone Festival in a concert on 15 July 2022. The piece, Ellos Huesos ("Them Bones"), was commissioned by the ensemble.
Barnyard Trombone — Noon-in-June
04 June to 25 June 2022
In an attempt to recreate the Rooftop Trombone series in his new home on a farm in Alabama, Don Bowyer invited guest artists and audience members to four "Noon-in-June" concerts in June 2022. The concert on 04 June featured the Farmhand Trombones: Billy Bargetzi, Mark Fisher, Patrick Sullivan, and Bowyer. The concert on 11 June featured the Old MacDonald Jazz Duo with Pete Harrison and Bowyer. The concert on 18 June was to feature a fulte trio, but Covid kept them away so Bowyer performed alone. The final concert, on 25 June, featured the Barnyard Jazz Quartet: Keith Taylor, Jim Cavender, Tom Branch, and Bowyer.
Visiting Professor at University of the Philippines
16 April to 15 June 2022
Don Bowyer served as an online Visiting Professorat the University of the Philippines in the spring of 2022. In addition to teaching trombone and composition, Bowyer consulted on Quality Assessment and curricula.
Rocket City Trombones
09 April 2022
The Rocket City Trombones, a community trombone ensemble, performed Lost in Regensburg, an original composition by Don Bowyer, in a concert on 09 April 2022.
London Symphony Orchestra Recording Project
26 February 2022
Don Bowyer's composition, Lockdown Themes, was recorded on 26 February 2022 by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Miran Vaupotic, as part of a project by Parma Recordings. The album, titled Sparks: Eye of London, includes eleven short compositions by contemporary composers. It will be released in October 2022 on Navona Records.
A-State Jazz Ensemble
12 October 2021
The A-State Jazz Ensemble performed the Don Bowyer composition Lockdown Blues in a concert at Arkansas State University on 12 October 2021. More information about the composition is available here.
ASCAP Plus Award
02 December 2021
Don Bowyer was awarded an ASCAP Plus award for 2021. From the ASCAP web site: "The ASCAP Plus Awards program rewards ASCAP writer members of children's music, concert music, jazz and musical theatre with a value beyond the scope of performance surveys."
New Publications
22 July 2
Sheet Music Plus has published 36 Don Bowyer compositions since 25 May 2021. Taking advantage of the series of pandemic lockdowns at his Malaysian home, Bowyer spent time composing as well as preparing older compositions for publication. The wide-ranging compositions are for ensembles as varied as wind ensemble, SATB chorus, jazz combo, trumpet ensemble, and trombone choir, as well as chamber music and music for solo instrumentalists.
Rooftop Trombone v4.0
06 May to 03 July 2021
Most of Malaysia went back into a Movement Control Order (full lockdown) on 06 May 2021, so Don Bowyer committed to once again streaming live music and bad jokes every evening. For this fourth series, Bowyer began by introducing "Rofftop Trombone Goes to the Movies," in which he took well-known movie scenes, muted the original audio, and improvised a trombone track. While international copyright codes allow this type of treatment as "parody," the artifical intelligence copyright police at Facebook and YouTube did not seem to recognize the concept. After 12 days of this, Bowyer changed to original music without video. Earlier in the pandemic, Bowyer had previously performed for 51 consecutive days from 13 January to 04 March 2021, 70 consecutive days from 14 October to 22 December 2020, and 106 consecutive days from 18 March to 01 July 2020.
View all videos here.
Impending Retirement
31 July 2021
At the beginning of April, Don Bowyer announced that he will be retiring at the end of July. He and his wife, Donna, will be returning to the Western Hemisphere, from which they can more efficiently spoil grandchildren."
College Music Society International Conference
24-30 June 2021 (postponed due to Covid)
Don Bowyer will deliver a paper in Colombia (if the pandemic allows) at the international conference of the College Music Society. His paper is titled "The Clave: From Sub-Saharan Africa to Colombia (and points between)."
College Music Society South Central Region Virtual Conference
26-27 March 2021
Don Bowyer will perform one of his compositions at the virtual conference of the College Music Society South Central Region. He will perform his composition Two Sonnets in one of the composer concerts.
College Music Society Southern Region Virtual Conference
25-27 February 2021
Don Bowyer will perform one of his compositions and deliver a paper at the virtual conference of the College Music Society Southern Region. He will perform his composition Two Sonnets in one of the composer concerts. He will also deliver a paper on "Audience Participation in Classical Music" at the same conference.
Rooftop Trombone v3.0
13 January 2021 to 04 March 2021
Several regions in Malaysia, including the Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area, went back into a Movement Control Order (full lockdown) on 13 January 2021, so Don Bowyer committed to once again streaming live music and bad jokes every evening for at least 14 days. For the first 14 days of the third series, Bowyer composed a short Lockdown Miniature for trombone each day, then performing it that evening. These performances continued for 51 consecutive days, until 04 March. Earlier in the pandemic, Bowyer had previously performed for 70 consecutive days from 14 October to 22 December 2020, and 106 consecutive days from 18 March to 01 July 2020.
View all videos here.
Online Masterclass
01 December 2020
Don Bowyer gave an online masterclass for band students at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith on 01 December 2020. Bowyer performed several of his original compositions for trombone, then answered questions about composing, performing, and living overseas.
Big Band Composition Recording
12 November 2020
Don Bowyer’s jazz composition, From the Joke of the Same Name, was recorded by the Cotatcha Orchestra, a big band in Prague. The project, organized by Parma Recordings, required musicians to record their individual parts in their homes, after which the engineers at Parma spliced all the recordings together to create the audio track and the video. The video is available here.
Rooftop Trombone v2.0
14 October to 22 December 2020
Several regions in Malaysia, including the Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area, went back into a Conditional Movement Control Order (quasi-lockdown) on 14 October 2020, so Don Bowyer committed to once again streaming live music and bad jokes every evening until conditions improved. These performances continued for 70 consecutive days, until 22 December. Bowyer had previously performed for 106 consecutive days from 18 March to 01 July earlier in the pandemic.
View all videos here.
Rooftop Trombone in the Age of Covid-19
18 March to 1 July 2020
When Malaysia began its Movement Control Order (lockdown) on 18 March 2020, Don Bowyer committed to streaming live music and bad jokes at 5pm everyday until the lockdown is lifted. These performances continued for 106 consecutive days, until 01 July.
View all videos here.
Kuala Lumpur City Big Band Auditions
05 February 2020
Don Bowyer conducted auditions for the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Big Band on 05 February 2020.
Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival
12 January 2020
Don Bowyer played bass trombone with the Julian Chan Jazz Orchestra at the Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival at KLPAC on 12 January 2020.
Jam with Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory Musicians
25 December 2019
Don Bowyer sat in for a jam session with faculty and students from the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory on 25 December 2019 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Performance at Utropolis
14 December 2019
Don Bowyer performed with the band Bonahop at the Utropolis in Kuala Lumpur on 14 December 2019. The band, co-led by pianist Grace Leong and singer Yvonne Chong, performs jazz of many styles.
Kuala Lumpur City Big Band Coaching
13 December 2019
Don Bowyer led a rehearsal of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Big Band on 13 December 2019.
Trombone Recitals in Taiwan
11-12 November 2019
Don Bowyer performed solo trombone recitals at universities in Taipei, Taiwan, on 11 and 12 November 2019. Chung Yuan Christian University and Fu Jen Catholic University hosted the performances, which included Bowyer’s original compositions for solo trombone, trombone and audience, trombone and multimedia, and trombone with piano and conga drum (one player).
Performances at Alexis
13-14 September 2019
Don Bowyer performed with the band Bonahop at Alexis in Bangsar, Malaysia, on 13 and 14 September 2019. The band, co-led by pianist Grace Leong and singer Yvonne Chong, performs jazz of many styles.
Publika Jazz Festival
24 August 2019
Don Bowyer performed with Big Band Story as part of the Publika Jazz Festival in Kuala Lumpur on 24 August 2019.
Composition Performed in Belgium
15 July 2019
Don Bowyer performed an original composition as part of the College Music Society International Conference in Belgium on 15 July 2019. Bowyer’s composition, 50+50 Trombone Triathlon, was part of the Composers Concert in at the Ghent Opera House.
International Jazz Day
30 April & 01 May 2019
Don Bowyer performed with several groups for the International Jazz Day celebration at Souled Out in Kuala Lumpur on 30 April and 01 May 2019. The bands included Bonahop, the Julian Chan Jazz Orchestra, and the closing act led by Michael Veerapen.
Comp & Jazz Workshops at ISI Yogyakarta
13 March 2019
Don Bowyer presented a master class and workshop at ISI Yogyakarta (the Indonesian Art Institute of Yogyakarta) on 13 March 2019. The workshop was on Audience Participation in Classical Music and the master class was with a group of jazz students.
SEADOM Malaysia Forum
23 January 2019
Don Bowyer gave a presentation on music unit accreditation for the Malaysian forum of the Southeast Asian Directors of Musci on 23 January 2019. The meeting was held at Sunway University.
2018 Malaysian Jazz Workshop
26-28 October 2018
Sunway University will host the 2018 Malaysian Jazz Workshop 26-28 October 2018. Guest educator for the workshop will be Dr. Gene Aitken. Don Bowyer is Director for the Workshop.
Sunway University Faculty Jazz Quartet at the Sunway Leadership Conference
5 October 2018
The Sunway University Faculty Jazz Quartet will perform at the Sunway Leadership Conference on 5 October 2018 at Sunway Pyramid Convention Center. The quartet is evenly split with two Americans and two Malaysians. Prof. Don Bowyer, trombonist and composer, is a professor of music and serves as Dean of the School of Arts. Dr. George Hess, guitarist, is an associate professor of music and leads the university’s recording studio. Marina Zaini, bassist, is a part-time lecturer and a member of the National Symphony Orchestra. Lewis Pragasam, drummer, is a part-time lecturer and is founder and leader of Asiabeat. Collectively, these musicians have played in more than 50 countries around the world.
Soloist and composer with the Selangor Philharmonic Orchestra
8 September 2018
Don Bowyer will perform as soloist and composer with the Selangor Philharmonic Orchestra on 8 September 2018 at Sunway University’s Jeffrey Cheah Hall. Bowyer will play his composition Concerto for Bass Trombone with the orchestra conducted by Chan Ling Chee.
Paper on “Jazz Education in Southeast Asia” at the 2018 ICTM-PASEA conference
20 July 2018
Don Bowyer gave a paper on “Jazz Education in Southeast Asia” at the 2018 ICTM-PASEA conference on 20 July 2018. ICTM-PASEA is the International Council for Traditional Music Study Group on Performing Arts of Southeast Asia. The conference was in Kota Kanabalu, Malaysia.
Presentation on “The Creative Process” at the Johor Bahru Music Festival
29 June 2018
Don Bowyer gave a presentation on “The Creative Process” at the Johor Bahru Music Festival on 29 June 2018.
ASWARA Big Band & Gamelan Orchestra
8 May 2018
Don Bowyer played trombone in the ASWARA Big Band & Gamelan Orchestra on 8 May 2018. ASWARA is the National Academy of Arts Culture & Heritage in Kuala Lumpur.
Guest Conductor for Sunway Ensemble Music Camp
3 March 2018
Don Bowyer served as guest conductor for the Sunway Ensemble Music camp on 3 March 2018.
Big Band Writing Workshop at ASWARA
20 February 2018
Don Bowyer led a Big Band Writing workshop for music students at ASWARA (the National Academy of Arts Culture & Heritage) in Kuala Lumpur on February 20, 2018.
Soloist with the Big Band of Penang at the Thailand International Jazz Festival
28 January 2018
Don Bowyer appeared as a soloist and composer with the Penang Jazz Society’s Big Band of Penang at the Thailand International Jazz Festival in Bangkok on January 28, 2018.
Dean of the Sunway University School of Arts
3 January 2018
Don Bowyer became Dean of the School of Arts at Sunway University (Malaysia) on January 3, 2018. He also holds the rank of Professor of Music at the university.
The School of Arts at Sunway University includes three academic departments and one research centre: the Department of Art & Design, the Department Communication & Liberal Arts, the Department of Performance & Media, and the Centre for Research-Creation in Digital Media. With more than 600 students, the school offers diplomas and undergraduate degrees in communication, design, film production, interior architecture, music, and theatre. The school also offers a Master of Arts in Visual Communication and Media Studies.
Soloist with the Big Band of Penang at the Thailand Smile Jazz Festival
25 & 26 November 2017
Don Bowyer appeared as a soloist and composer with the Penang Jazz Society’s Big Band of Penang at the Thailand Smile Jazz Festival in Hat Yai on November 25 & 26, 2017.
Soloist with the Penang Philharmonic Big Band at the Kuala Lumpur International Jazz Festival
16 September 2017
Don Bowyer appeared as a soloist and composer with the Penang Philharmonic Big Band at the Kuala Lumpur International Jazz Festival in Kuala Lumpur on September 16, 2017.
Bandleader & Composer with the ASEAN Youth Big Band
9 & 10 September 2017
Don Bowyer served as bandleader and composer for the ASEAN Youth Big Band during the Southeast Asian Music Education Exchange (SEAMEX) in Kuala Lumpur on September 9-10, 2017.
CMS-NAMM Summer Program for Music Faculty
13-15 July 2017
Don Bowyer served as Co-Chair of the Program Committee for the first annual CMS-NAMM Summer Program for Music Faculty in July, 2017. This workshop experience is jointly created by the College Music Society and the National Association of Music Merchants, and is aimed at bringing together music faculty and music industry.
Composition and Paper at College Music Society International Conference in Australia
9-13 July 2017
Don Bowyer presented a composition and a paper at the College Music Society International Conference in Sydney, Australia July 9-13, 2017. The composition, titled The Road Not Taken, is a setting of a Robert Frost poem for soprano and trombone. The paper is titled “Music of the Indigenous Peoples of Malaysia.”
Orchestral Recording
4 January 2017
The “99 Dollar Orchestra” recorded Don Bowyer’s composition Minute Dances on 4 January 2017 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Sunway University
3 January 2017
Don Bowyer began a new position as Professor of Music and Associate Dean of the School of Arts at Sunway University (Malaysia) on January 3, 2017.
College Music Society National Conference
27-29 October 2016
Don Bowyer served as a Presider at the national conference of the College Music Society in Santa Fe, New Mexico, October 27-29, 2016. Additionally, Bowyer served as a CMS Regional President, as a member of the CMS International Initiatives Committee, and as a member of the CMS Music Business Committee. All three groups met during the conference.
Little Latin Jazz Band
14 July 2016
Three Don Bowyer compositions were performed by the Little Latin Jazz Band (LLJB) on Thursday, July 14, 2016, at the Delta Jazz Workshop on the campus of Arkansas State University. Bowyer also serves as leader of this band that specializes in Latin jazz. The Bowyer compositions performed were FF=Fortissimo, Bugs and Gas, and Descarga de Fresa.
Jazz Writer’s Big Band
11 July 2016
Two Don Bowyer compositions were performed by the Jazz Writers’ Big Band (JWBB) on Monday, July 11, 2016, at the Delta Jazz Workshop on the campus of Arkansas State University. The JWBB is a group of professional jazz musicians in the region dedicated to performing exclusively music written by members of the band. The Bowyer compositions performed were Mi Vida and From the Joke of the Same Name.
Delta Jazz Workshop
11-15 July 2016
Don Bowyer co-directed the big band at the 2016 Delta Jazz Workshop at Arkansas State University July 11-15, 2016. The band performed the premiere of the Bowyer composition Fancy Pants Dance, which was composed for the workshop.
Little Latin Jazz Band
21 June 2016
Three Don Bowyer compositions were performed by the Little Latin Jazz Band (LLJB) on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library. Bowyer also serves as leader of this band that specializes in Latin jazz. The Bowyer compositions performed were FF=Fortissimo, Bugs and Gas, and Descarga de Fresa.
21st Century Music School
3-4 June 2016
Don Bowyer participated in the College Music Society Summit “The 21st-Century Music School” at the University of South Carolina. This purpose of the summit was to address the question “Where do music programs in higher education go from here?”
CD Released
1 June 2016
On June 1, 2016, Ansonica Records released Abrazo, a double CD of music by American composers recorded by classical and jazz musicians in Havana, Cuba. The Don Bowyer composition Bugs and Gas is included on the album. More information about the recording is available here.
Abrazo is available from Amazon, Spotify, and iTunes.
Abrazo was the Latin Jazz Network Editor’s Pick/Album of the Month for July.
The album was #2 on the world music charts of Merging Arts for the week of July 19, 2016.
Jazz Writer’s Big Band
22 May 2016
Two Don Bowyer compositions were performed by the Jazz Writers’ Big Band (JWBB) on Sunday, May 22, 2016, at Marilyn’s Music Hall and Clogging Company in Pocahontas, Arkansas. The JWBB is a group of professional jazz musicians in the region dedicated to performing exclusively music written by members of the band. The Bowyer compositions performed were Mi Vida and From the Joke of the Same Name.
A-State Woodwind Quintet
26 April 2016
The A-State Woodwind Quintet performed the Don Bowyer composition Sweet Suite at a student recital at Arkansas State University on April 26, 2016.
UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival
22-23 April 2016
Don Bowyer served as a clinician at the 2016 UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival at the University of Northern Colorado April 22-23, 2016.
Trumpet Studio Recital
19 April 2016
The Don Bowyer composition Ballare Come un Pazzo was performed by the A-State Trumpet Ensemble at a Trumpet Studio Recital at Arkansas State University on April 19, 2016. The composition for twelve trumpets was composed for this ensemble in 2013. More information about the composition is available here.
A-State Jazz Ensemble
14 April 2016
The A-State Jazz Ensemble performed the Don Bowyer composition Bluesy Ballad in a concert at Arkansas State University on April 14, 2016. More information about the composition is available here.
Composition at the Southern Miss New Music Festival
8 April 2016
The Southern Miss New Music Festival at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, will include a composition by Don Bowyer April 8-9, 2016. Bowyer’s Silly Rhymes, for soprano and piano, will be performed. More information on the composition is available here.
College Music Society Southwest Regional Conference
17-19 March 2016
As chapter president, Don Bowyer presided over the board meeting and general membership meeting held at the College Music Society Southwest Regional Conference at Midwestern State University March 17-19, 2016.
Society of Composers Region III
26 February 2016
The Don Bowyer composition The Road Not Taken was performed at the Society of Composers Region III Conference at Marshall University February 26, 2016. The composition is for soprano and trombone. More information about it is available here.
Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble
19 November 2015
The Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Ken Carroll, will perform a Don Bowyer composition, Bugs and Gas, in concert on the A-State campus on Thursday, November 19, 2015. More information on the composition is available here.
Cuban Jazz Recording Project
9 November 2015
Don Bowyer will be one of the first US Citizens to legally record music in Cuba in more than 50 years when his jazz composition Bugs and Gas is recorded as part of a Parma Recordings project involving eight compositions selected from among more than 200 submissions.
“Bridging Cultures through Music” is a Parma Recordings ‘People-to-People’ Cuban program, licensed through the U.S. Department of Treasury. This program will include Parma artists and composers collaborating with Cuban musicians to create new music that flows from both cultures.
College Music Society National Conference
5 November 2015
Don Bowyer will serve on a Panel titled “2015 Common Topic: Sustainability” at the College Music Society National Conference in Indianapolis November 5-7, 2015. Bowyer will also present a poster titled “The Sun (Almost) Never Set: Reflections on the 2015 CMS International Conference in Scandinavia” during the same conference.
Faculty Recital – Arkansas State University
27 October 2015
Don Bowyer performed an original composition together with pianist Dr. Lauren Schack Clark in a faculty recital in Riceland Hall in the Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus on October 27, 2015. The two performed Three Moods for trombone and piano. More information on the composition is available here.
International Council of Fine Arts Deans Conference
21 October 2015
Don Bowyer will serve as a Mentor in the ICFAD Fellows Program at the national conference of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans October 21-23, 2015, in Atlanta.
Program Chair and Composer for CMS International Conference
17-24 June 2015
Don Bowyer served as program chair for the College Music Society International Conference in Sweden and Finland June 17-24, 2015. More details are available here. Bowyer also presented a composition, Concerto for Bass Trombone, during the conference.
Composition at the Manchester New Music Festival
27 March 2015
The Manchester New Music Festival at Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana, included a composition by Don Bowyer on March 27, 2015. Bowyer’s Silly Rhymes, for soprano and piano, was performed by Ashlee Bickley and Bob Nance. More information on the composition is available here.
President of the South-Central Chapter of the College Music Society
14 March 2015
Don Bowyer becomes president of the South-Central Chapter of the College Music Society at the end of the chapter conference March 12-14, 2015.
Delta Symphony Orchestra
15 February 2015
The Delta Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Neale Bartee, performed a Don Bowyer composition, Silly Rhymes, at the Fowler Center for the Performing Arts on February 15, 2015. The composition is for children’s chorus and orchestra.
Program Co-Chair for Generation Next at NAMM
22-23 January 2015
Don Bowyer will serve as program co-chair for the Generation Next Program at the 2015 NAMM Show January 22-23, 2015, at the Anaheim Convention Center. The Generation Next Program is a joint collaboration between the College Music Society (CMS) and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). Generation Next is an educational program for college, conservatory, and university music students and faculty that provides an introduction to the NAMM Show, comprised of over 1,400 global music products and materials exhibitors. More details are here.
Experienced Evaluator for NASM
21 November 2014
Don Bowyer will attend Experienced Evaluator Training for the National Association of Schools of Music November 21-22, 2014. Bowyer has served as an accreditation visitor for the organization since 2010.
Recruiting Trip to Poland
14 November 2014
Dan Ross, Sarah Jones-Hayes, and Don Bowyer will go on a four-day recruiting trip to Poland November 14-18, 2014. They will visit music programs in Olsztyn and Krakow, giving masterclasses and attending concerts.
Jazz Writer’s Big Band
09 November 2014
Three Don Bowyer compositions will be performed by the Jazz Writers’ Big Band (JWBB) on Sunday, November 9, 2014, at the Arts@311 in downtown Jonesboro, Arkansas. The JWBB is a group of professional jazz musicians in the region dedicated to performing exclusively music written by members of the band. The Bowyer compositions to be performed include Siboney, El Amor Cubano, and Sax a Deux. The concert begins at 3:00pm.
College Music Society National Conference
30 October 2014
Don Bowyer presented “Music Where the Midnight Will (Almost) Never Set” at the College Music Society National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, October 30-November 1, 2014. Bowyer also attended meetings of the International Initiatives Committee, the Music Business-Industry Committee, and the Roundtable on CMS Professional Activities.
A-State Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble
27 October 2014
Don Bowyer performed as soloist with the Arkansas State University Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble on October 27, 2014, in the Fowler Center Riceland Hall on the Arkansas State University campus.
International Council of Fine Arts Deans Conference
22 October 2014
Don Bowyer will serve as a roundtable leader in the national conference of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans on October 23, 2014, in Kansas City. The roundtable topic is titled “Arts Advocacy: The Inherent Value of the Arts.”
Faculty Recital – Arkansas State University
21 October 2014
Don Bowyer will perform two of his jazz combo compositions in a faculty recital in Riceland Hall in the Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus on October 21, 2014, at 7:30 pm. The jazz combo will include faculty members Ken Carroll, Craig Collison, and Bowyer, plus students Tyler Worsham and Terrell Montgomery. Other faculty from the ASU Department of Music will also perform.
The group will perform Dos Gatos Diablos and Just Lookin’.
Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble
9 October 2014
The Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Ken Carroll, performed a Don Bowyer composition, Hey, Where You Frumba?, in concert on the A-State campus on October 9, 2014.
HLC Peer Reviewer Training
1 October 2014
Don Bowyer attended a training session to be a Peer Reviewer with the Higher Learning Commission October 1-3, 2014 in St. Charles, Illinois.
Delta Jazz Workshop 7/7/13
10 July 2014
Don Bowyer was on the faculty for the Delta Jazz Workshop at Arkansas State University from July 7-10, 2014, performing in the faculty big band and teaching a four-day course in jazz history. The big band also performed one of Bowyer’s original compositions.
CMS International Conference Planning
18-25 June 2014
Don Bowyer spent eight days in Sweden and Finland planning the 2015 College Music Society International Conference. The conference will take place in Stockholm and Helsinki, beginning June 17, 2015.
Jazz Writer’s Big Band
1 June 2014
A Don Bowyer composition will be performed by the Jazz Writers’ Big Band (JWBB) on Sunday, June 1, 2014, in the Instrumental Music Room at Arkansas State University. The JWBB is a group of professional jazz musicians in the region dedicated to performing exclusively music written by members of the band. The Bowyer composition to be performed is Bugs and Gas. The concert begins at 3:00pm.
Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble
25 April 2014
Don Bowyer performed as soloist with the Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Ken Carroll, in concert at the Clinton Library in Little Rock, Arkansas, on April 25, 2014.
Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble
10 April 2014
Don Bowyer performed as soloist with the Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Ken Carroll, in concert on the A-State campus on April 10, 2014.
Isotones – Chamber Music Concert
11 March 2014
The Isotones, a chamber music ensemble from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, will present a concert at Arkansas State University on March 11, 2014. Collaborating with them for this concert will be composer and trombonist Don Bowyer, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Arkansas State University.
The ensemble will perform the following compositions:
- Encounters IV for trombone and percussion; composed by William Kraft
- Improvisations on Three Isotopic Spectra for percussion and spectrum analyzer; composed by Scott Eddlemon
- Partita in E for violin; composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Obsession for violin; composed by Eugene Ysaye
- Primeval Atom for violin, trombone, percussion, and iPad; composed by Don Bowyer
CMS South Central Regional Conference
7 March 2014
Don Bowyer will serve as program chair for the College Music Society South Central Regional Conference at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith March 7-8, 2014. More details are available here.
Wedding Music
1 March 2014
Don Bowyer is composing music for his daughter’s wedding, to be held on March 1, 2014, in Fort Myers, Florida. More details will be available as the music is completed.
Bourgeois Recital
6 February 2014
The Arkansas State University Department of Music will present a recital of the music of Derek Bourgeois on February 6, 2014. Among other pieces, the Concerto for Three Trombones, Piano, and Percussion will feature Arkansas State Faculty members Lauren Clark (piano), Neale Bartee (trombone), and Don Bowyer (bass trombone), along with graduate student Daniel Harrison (trombone) .
Faculty Recital – Arkansas State University
28 January 2014
Don Bowyer will perform one of his compositions in a faculty recital in Riceland Hall in the Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, at 7:30 pm. Other faculty from the ASU Department of Music will also perform.
Bowyer will perform Multiple Vision, a composition for trombone, piano, and conga drum– all simultaneously played by one performer. More information about the piece is available here.
Generation Next at NAMM
23 January 2014
Don Bowyer will serve as program co-chair for the Generation Next Program at the 2014 NAMM Show January 23-24, 2014, at the Anaheim Convention Center. The Generation Next Program is a joint collaboration between the College Music Society (CMS) and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) .
Generation Next is an educational program for college, conservatory, and university music students and faculty that provides an introduction to the NAMM Show, comprised of over 1,400 global music products and materials exhibitors. More details are here.
Composition Selected for Vine Recording
1 December 2013
A new composition by Don Bowyer was selected from an international peer-reviewed call for scores to be recorded by the Vine Orchestra. The composition, …But It Sure Is Short, was recorded in Austin, Texas, on December 1, 2013.
More details about this project by the Vine Orchestra are available here.
More details about the composition are available here.
Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble
12 November 2013
The Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Ken Carroll, performed a Don Bowyer composition, Big Bad Baghdad Blues, in concert on the A-State campus on Tuesday, November 12, 2013. More information on the composition is available here.
Jazz Writer’s Big Band
10 November 2013
Three Don Bowyer compositions will be performed by the Jazz Writers’ Big Band (JWBB) on Sunday, November 10, 2013, in the Instrumental Music Room at Arkansas State University. The JWBB is a group of professional jazz musicians in the region dedicated to performing exclusively music written by members of the band. The Bowyer compositions to be performed include Bad Hair Day Blues, Itchin’ In the Kitchen, and Sneakers Flexiveis. The concert begins at 3:00pm.
College Music Society National Conference
31 October 2013
Don Bowyer will serve as a panel moderator in the national conference of the College Music Society on October 31, 2013, in Cambridge, MA. The panel is titled “Best Practices for Establishing an Ongoing and Meaningful Collaboration between Those Who Design Music Products and Those Who Use and Teach with Them.”
International Council of Fine Arts Deans Conference
24 October 2013
Don Bowyer will serve as a panelist in the national conference of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans on October 24, 2013, in New Orleans. The panel is titled “Accreditation and Assessment: Current and Evolving Issues, Challenges, Concerns, and Realities.”
Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble
10 October 2013
The Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Ken Carroll, performed a Don Bowyer composition, FF=Fortissimo, in concert on the A-State campus on Thursday, October 10, 2013. More information on the composition is available here.
Faculty Recital – Arkansas State University
24 September 2013
Eight music faculty members at Arkansas State University performed the world premiere of a new composition by Don Bowyer in a faculty recital in Riceland Hall in the Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus on Tuesday, September 24, 2013. Other faculty from the ASU Department of Music also performed.
Just a Closer Walk with Thee — Theme and Variations was composed by Bowyer in memory of his father, who passed away on September 25, 2012. Musicians performing were Tim Oliver, conductor; Joe Bonner, flute; Dan Ross, oboe; Ken Hatch, clarinet; Dale Clark, bassoon; Don Bowyer, trombone; Ed Owen, tuba; and Guy Harrison, violin.
More information about the piece is available here.
Delta Jazz Workshop 7/8/13
11 July 2013
Don Bowyer was on the faculty for the Delta Jazz Workshop at Arkansas State University from July 8-11, 2013, performing in the faculty big band and teaching a four-day course in jazz history. The big band also performed one of Bowyer’s original compositions.
International Trombone Festival
26 & 28 June 2013
Two different ensembles will perform Don Bowyer compositions at the International Trombone Festival in Columbus, Georgia, on June 26 & 28, 2013. The conference will be hosted by The Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University.
The Elysian Trombone Consort will perform one movement from the Trombone Requiem on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at 3pm. The full Trombone Requiem is about 35 minutes in length, and was scored for six trombones who also chant and play hand percussion instruments. The ensemble will perform a four-trombone version of the “Dies Irae.”
The Arkansas State University Trombone Choir will perform Lost in Regensburg, written for ten trombones, on Friday, June 28, 2013, at 9am.
College Music Society International Conference in Argentina
24 June 2013
Don Bowyer will present a paper on “Customer-Driven Education: Who is ‘The Customer’” at the College Music Society International Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 24, 2013. The conference will take place from June 18-24. In addition to presenting the paper, Bowyer also served on the program committee for this conference.
Jazz Writer’s Big Band
19 May 2013
Four Don Bowyer compositions will be performed by the Jazz Writers’ Big Band (JWBB) on Sunday, May 19, 2013, in the Instrumental Music Room at Arkansas State University. The JWBB is a group of professional jazz musicians in the region dedicated to performing exclusively music written by members of the band. The Bowyer compositions to be performed include the world premiere of Too Soon, along with Don’t Wanna Say the ‘Nother T, Blue Baloo Polka, and Calle Sin Salida. The concert begins at 3:00pm.
Arkansas State University Performance
29 April 2013
Caprice, a student jazz combo at Arkansas State University will give the premiere performance of a composition by Don Bowyer at 4:00pm on April 29, 2013, during a retirement reception for Dr. Thomas Miles O’Connor. The composition, July O’Clock, was composed in honor of Dr. O’Connor’s retirement from the ASU Department of Music.
Bebopalooza with Jazz Alliance
26 April 2013
Don Bowyer will perform with Jazz Alliance on Friday, April 26, 2013, as part of the Bebopalooza jazz event at the Arkansas State University Pavilion.
Create@stAte
11 April 2013
The ASU Trumpet Ensemble will give the premiere performance of a composition by Don Bowyer at 3:30pm on April 11, 2013, as part of the Create@stAte exhibition of student research and creative activities. The composition, Ballare Come un Pazzo, is written for twelve trumpets. The ASU trumpet ensemble will perform the piece in Italy this summer.
Faculty Recital – Arkansas State University
4 April 2013
Don Bowyer will perform one of his compositions in a faculty recital in Riceland Hall in the Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus on Thursday, April 4, 2013, at 7:30 pm. Other faculty from the ASU Department of Music will also perform.
Bowyer will perform Unity, a composition for trombone and percussion, with Dr. Craig Collison of the ASU faculty. More information about the piece is available here.
Global Technology Conference
27 March 2013
Don Bowyer will give a presentation on “Computer-Assisted Instruction: An Historical Perspective” at 3:30pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, as part of the Global Technology Conference at Arkansas State University.
Delta Symphony Orchestra Valentine Dance
14 February 2013
The Townsmen will perform for a Valentine Dance to benefit the Delta Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, February 14, 2013, at the Jonesboro Country Club. Don Bowyer will perform in the trombone section with the group.
New Jazz in Jonesboro
2 February 2013
New Jazz in Jonesboro took over the stage at The Arts@311 on Saturday, February 2, 2013, to perform original jazz compositions by members of the group. The group played music by Matt Jackson, Larry Heyl, and Don Bowyer. The Bowyer compositions were El Amor Cubano: La Mujer o el Caballo? and Left Over Vowels.
Faculty Recital – Arkansas State University
31 January 2013
Don Bowyer will perform one of his compositions in a faculty recital in Riceland Hall in the Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus on Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 7:30 pm. Other faculty from the ASU Department of Music will also perform.
Bowyer will perform Concerto for Bass Trombone, a composition for trombone and piano, with pianist Dr. Lauren Schack Clark of the ASU faculty. More information about the piece is available here.
CMS at the NAMM Show
26 January 2013
The College Music Society (CMS) held a meeting at the annual show of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) on Saturday, January 26, 2013. The purpose of this meeting was to initiate planning for a cooperative activity between the two organizations, with CMS providing educational sessions at future NAMM Shows beginning in 2014. As Chair of the College Music Society’s Music Business-Industry Committee, Don Bowyer served as facilitator for the meeting.
CMS National Conference
15 November 2012
The Elysian Trombone Consort will perform one movement from Don Bowyer’s Trombone Requiem at the College Music Society’s National Conference in San Diego at 1pm on November 15, 2012. The conference will be held in the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego.
The full Trombone Requiem is about 35 minutes in length, and was scored for six trombones who also chant and play hand percussion instruments. The ensemble will perform a four-trombone version of the “Dies Irae.” More information on the composition is available here.
In addition to this composition performance, Bowyer will also serve at the conference as the moderator for a panel discussion on “Hiring in the Music Industry,” as Chair of the Music Business & Industry Committee, and as a member of the International Initiatives Committee and the Argentina 2013 Planning Committee.
Grassroots 2012 – Atlanta
23 October 2012
Don Bowyer will perform as trombonist in a performance of Grassroots 2012, an interactive, multimedia composition by Tayloe Harding and David B. Williams. The composition involves live musicians, recorded music, still photographs, video, and audience participation with “clickers” used to answer poll questions related to the 2012 presidential election. The answers provided by the audience determine the musical lines played by the musicians.
This performance will be at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA.
Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble
11 October 2012
The Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble I will perform Don Bowyer’s From the Joke of the Same Name at their fall concert at 7:30pm on October 11, 2012. The concert will be in the Fowler Center’s Riceland Hall. More information on the composition is available here.
Faculty Recital – Arkansas State University
20 September 2012
Don Bowyer will perform one of his compositions in a faculty recital in Riceland Hall in the Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus on Thursday, September 20, 2012, at 7:30 pm. Other faculty from the ASU Department of Music will also perform.
Bowyer will perform Time Zones, a composition for trombone, computer, and audience participation. More information about the piece is available here.
Don Bowyer Big Band “Farewell to Huntsville” Concert
10 June 2012
The Don Bowyer Big Band will present a “Farewell to Huntsville” concert at 3pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012, at the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Roberts Recital Hall.
Bowyer will be leaving Huntsville at the end of June for a new position as Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Arkansas State University. He is currently Professor of Music and Chair of the Department of Music at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where he has worked for 14 years.
The concert will feature many of Huntsville’s outstanding array of jazz musicians. Repertoire will include original compositions by Bowyer as well as by other members of the band.
General admission for the concert is $10, with all proceeds going to UAH music scholarships. Students will be admitted free.
BAMA Concert
15 May 2012
Event: Birmingham Art Music Alliance Concert
Where: University of Alabama at Huntsville Department of Music
When: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 7:30 pm
On Tuesday, May 15th at 7:30 pm, the Birmingham Art Music Alliance will present a concert of newly composed works by its members. The concert will take place in the Music Department Recital Hall of the University of Alabama at Huntsville. The performers of the Alliance will be Adam Bowles – piano, Craig Hultgren – cello and Yulia Sakharova – violin. The concert is free and open to the public.
The Birmingham Art Music Alliance has a twofold mission of promoting music by Alabama composers and presenting concerts of recently created art music. Members of the Alliance include composers, professional performers, students, and enthusiasts who wish to preserve and maintain the long tradition of music as a living art form. The Birmingham News said, “The Birmingham Art Music Alliance has proved time and again that the experimental and avant-garde are still healthy and relevant.” The group’s web site is www.artmusic.org.
The program includes compositions by Monroe Golden – 81 for solo piano, Bryan Page – may i feel said he for ecello and speaking cellist based on an e.e. cummings poem, Don Bowyer – Five Preludes for solo piano, Bill Denton – China Sonata for cello and piano, Matthew Scott Phillips’ Morning for piano trio and Sean Hickey’s Ampersand for violin and piano.
Monroe Golden, who lives in Pell City, uses a series of patterns in based on the 81 keys of the piano keyboard. Bryan Page is Minister of Music at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. This is one of the latest installments of his various settings of the poetry of e.e. cummings. Don Bowyer is Chair of the University of Alabama at Huntsville Department of Music. Bill Denton is Assistant Principal Trumpet of the Alabama Symphony. He wrote China Sonata for his wife Wei Liu who is a cellist in the Alabama Symphony. Matthew Phillips is pursuing a doctorate in music composition at the University of Georgia in Athens. Sean Hickey lives in New York City and is a composer with an international reputation. He wrote Ampersand for Yulia Sakharova.
Violinist Yulia Sakharova is Assistant Concertmaster of the Alabama Symphony. Cellist Craig Hultgren is also a member of the Alabama Symphony and together with pianist Adam Bowles are the original members of Luna Nova a new music ensemble with one of the largest selections of contemporary music available for downloading on iTunes.
Jacksonville State University Jazz Festival
20 April 2012
Don Bowyer will serve as one of the judges for the Jacksonville State University Jazz Festival on April 20, 2012. Guest artist for the festival is trumpeter Bryan Lynch.
Faculty Composition Recital
14 April 2012
Don Bowyer will present a Faculty Recital on Saturday, April 14, at 7:30pm, in Roberts Recital Hall.
The recital will feature music composed and arranged by Bowyer in a “contemporary classical” style. Bowyer will perform on trombone or bass trombone on several pieces, while other pieces will feature Megan Poff, soprano; Keith Taylor, piano; Jim Cavender, bass; Danny Hutson, trombone; Kevin Bounds, trombone; Billy Bargetzi, trombone, and the First Baptist Church Saxophone Ensemble.
This will be Bowyer’s final recital as a member of the UAH Faculty, as he has accepted a position as Dean of Fine Arts at Arkansas State University beginning this summer.
Composition in Oak Ridge, Tennessee
1 April 2012
A tribute to Belgian Physicist Georges-Henri Lemaitre, the Isotones concert on April 1, 2012, will include a new work by composer Don Bowyer, chair of the Department of Music at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Bowyer will play trombone along with Susan Eddlemon, violin, and Scott Eddlemon, percussion. Lemaitre has been called the father of the Big Bang theory. The concert will be performed in the auditorium of the American Museum of Science & Energy in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Young People’s Concerts
23 February 2012
Don Bowyer, trombone, and Keith Taylor, piano, performed jazz introduction as part of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra’s series of Young People’s Concerts on February 23 & 24, 2012. The concerts are performed for ore than 6000 fourth-grade students from across the region.
Composition at Birmingham Southern College
21 February 2012
The Birmingham Art Music Alliance presented a concert on February 21, 2012, at Birmingham Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama, featuring music by Alabama composers. The concert included All Aboard by Don Bowyer, a composition for trombone, iPad looping software, and audience participation.
UAHuntsville New Music Festival
9 February 2012
Nearly fifty composers from across the United States participated in the UAHuntsville New Music Festival 2012 from February 9-11, 2012. The Festival was in conjunction with the Southeastern Composers League Forum, and included a performance by the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. Don Bowyer served as Festival Director.
Grassroots 2012
24 January 2012
Don Bowyer performed as trombonist in a performance of Grassroots 2012, an interactive, multimedia composition by Tayloe Harding and David B. Williams. The composition involves live musicians, recorded music, still photographs, video, and audience participation with “clickers” used to answer poll questions related to the 2012 presidential election. The answers provided by the audience determine the musical lines played by the musicians.
This performance was at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL.
College Music Society Summit 2012 – The NAMM Show
20 January 2012
Don Bowyer served as Chair of the Steering Committee for the College Music Society (CMS) Summit 2012, a cooperative venture between CMS and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). The Summit focused on an exploration of existing and potential relationships between the music academy and music industry sectors.
Composition in Germany
25 & 27 November 2011
The Brücken Festival für Neue Musik in Rostock, Germany, included two compositions by Don Bowyer on November 25 and November 27, 2011.
Bowyer’s Concerto for Bass Trombone was performed on the 25th by bass trombonist Hidehisa Edane with a string quintet including Katja Jahn (Wolf), Gesine Müller, Angelika Engel, Norbert Wölz, and Frank Thoenes.
The concert on November 27 included pianist Ulrike Mai performing Bowyer’s Five Preludes.
Presentation at the College Music Society National Conference
21 October 2011
Don Bowyer presented a poster session on “On-Campus Advocacy for the Music Unit” at the College Music Society National Conference in Richmond on October 21, 2011.
Bowyer also played trombone on a composition titled Grassroots 2012 during the conference, chaired a meeting of the Music Business & Industry Committee, and served as a member of the International Initiatives Committee and the Argentina 2013 Planning Committee.
Composition in Jamaica
8 October 2011
Don Bowyer composed and performed Jamaica Mistake for trombone and iPad for a wedding on October 8, 2011, in Jamaica. The four movements were Prelude Music, Bridal Procession, Wedding Vase and Recessional.
Composition in Hamburg, Germany
1 October 2011
A composition by Don Bowyer will be performed October 1, 2011, in Hamburg, Germany, at Kirche St. Johannis Curslack (Church of St. John in Curslack). The piece titled Frozen Toes ‘n Nose ‘n Freezin’ Knees will be performed by a Danish chamber music group called Trio SaKaZie, including Kardel Kirsten, soprano; Rolf Sandmark, trombone; and Birgitte Zielke, piano. The ensemble has performed this piece several times previously, most recently in August in Aalborg, Denmark.
The concert will be Saturday, October 1, at 7:00pm at Kirche St. Johannis Curslack.
Composition at Samford University
27 September 2011
The Birmingham Art Music Alliance presented a concert on September 27, 2011, at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, featuring music by Alabama composers. The concert included The Road Not Taken by Don Bowyer, based on the poem by Robert Frost. Performers were Karen Young, soprano, and Don Bowyer, trombone.
Composition at George Mason University
18 September 2011
The George Mason University School of Music presented a special “Grand Piano Celebration” concert on September 18, 2011. Included on the program was Three Moods for trombone and piano by Don Bowyer. The piece was performed by Harry Watters, trombone, and Linda Apple Monson, piano.
Composition in Aalborg, Denmark
20 August 2011
Don Bowyer had a composition performed in Denmark on August 20. SaKaZie, a Danish chamber music trio consisting of Rolf Sandmark, trombone, Kristen Kardel, soprano; and Birgitte Zielke, piano; performed Frozen Toes ‘n Nose ‘n Freezin’ Knees at the Vor Frue Kirke in Aalborg, Denmark, as part of the Open Days contemporary Music Festival.
Presentation at the College Music Society International Conference in South Korea
5 July 2011
Don Bowyer presented a paper on “On-Campus Advocacy for the Music Unit” at the College Music Society International Conference in Seoul, South Korea, on July 5, 2011.
