Sibling Rivalry: Composed in 2014 for the annual Big 12 Trombone Composition Contest held by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, Sibling Rivalry is written for tenor and bass trombone duet with trombone octet. A musical depiction of two siblings arguing, the work is a persistent, high energy challenge for the soloists and ensemble. A cadenza allows each sibling to “plead their case”, before a dark and dragging section follows that I call the “Dad comes home” section. The piece ends with the “siblings” playing together more frequently, complimenting and harmonizing each other’s phrases and driving to a powerful finish.
