Kevin Poelking
Meaningful, purposefully crafted music
"To share and celebrate the intangible power of music and the community that it creates."
Quick-Listen
Music Samples
Duration: ca. 5 ½ min
Grade 3-4 Ensembles - (optional piano, up to 9+ percussion)
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Groove, grit, a Debussy quote, and expressive playing combine to create a work that features delicate soloists alongside the full power of the wind band.
Duration: ca. 2 ½ min
Grade 3-4 Ensembles - (5+ percussion)
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A relentless work that reflects the energetic and unpredictable nature of refracted light.
(2023)
Duration: ca. 5 min
Grade 3-4 Ensembles - (5 or less percussion)
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A slow, melodic work to showcase expressive playing. Purposefully orchestrated to be successful on a short rehearsal cycle yet with enough musical substance to do detailed work for ensembles with more preparation time.
(2023)
Duration: ca. 10 min
Advanced Ensembles - (6 percussion, piano)
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A majestic and rhythmic work inspired by the beauty and power of the Colorado landscape.
Concert Band
(2022)
Duration: 4 min.
Intermediate-Advanced Ensembles
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A short, vibrant piece with driving rhythms and fresh harmonies.
Duration: ca. 11 min
Advanced Ensembles - (6 percussion, piano)
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A story of discovery, this unique work makes use of extensive colors and the use of two offstage percussionists to highlight and enhance the underlying drama at play.
Duration: ca. 7 ½ min
Intermediate Ensembles - (6 percussion, piano)
Ideal for conductors looking to give the woodwinds a break from "technique" while leaning on the brass section. Opportunities for expressive playing, color, and rhythmic precision.
Wind Symphony
(2019)
Duration: ca. 8 ½ min
Advanced Ensembles - (7 percussion, piano)
A journey exploring the how our mentors and heroes can change us for the better. Dense percussion writing and heavily involved winds.
Duration: ca. 3 min
6 Tpt- 4 Hn - 3 Tbn - 2 Euph - 2 Tba - 3 Perc + Timp
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Premiered by the Dallas Winds in 2019 under the baton of Matteo Dal Maso who describes the piece as "...an epic composition of joy."
The Chamber Winds Project Click for more info
20 players or less
Contributing to the repertoire of conducted chamber wind and percussion works.
Cited by the College Band Director National Association (CBDNA) as an important resource for new repertoire.
8-Part Trombone Choir
(2023)
8+ players: 6 Tenor Trombone, 2 Bass Trombone
Duration: ca. 5 min
A lyrical, harmonically-fresh work that uses unique abilities of the trombone (flutter-tongues and glissandi) to create a dramatic "arrival"​ with satisfying moments along the way.
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Chamber Woodwinds and Percussion
(2020)
10 players: 2 Fl, 2 Cl, 1 B.Cl, 3 Sax, 2 Perc
Duration: ca. 7 min
A lush, lyrical work with fresh harmonies and color combinations between woodwinds and percussion. Music for ensembles and conductors looking to feature their delicate, nuanced, and expressive playing.​
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Chamber Brass and Percussion
(2019)
10 players: 2 Tpt, 2 Hn, 2 Tbn, Eup, Tba, 2 Perc
Duration: ca. 5 min
An energetic, rhythmic work with multiple meter changes.
13 players: Picc , Fl, 2 Cl, B. Cl, CB. Cl*, 4 Sax, 3 Perc
*Part available for tuba or string bass
Duration: ca. 8 min
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Expressive soloist playing combined with passages full of aggressive rhythms, timbres, and unique colors through instrumentation and orchestration.
2 Tpt, 2 Hn, 3 Tbn, 1 Eup,1 Tba, Pno
Duration: ca. 5 ½ min
Lyrical choral work with fresh harmonies adapted for brass ensemble and piano.
Works for Orchestra
String and Full Symphony Orchestra
Full Orchestra
(2023)
Full Orchestra (2.2.2.2 - 4.3.3.1 - Strings)
Duration: ca. 5 min
A short orchestral work with varying styles including an exciting Aggressivo section, light minimalistic influences, and an epic build that showcases the full power of the orchestra.
String Orchestra and Percussion (optional piano)
(2023)
String Orchestra- 2 Perc and/or 1 Piano
Duration: ca. 7 min
A lush, lyrical, cinematic string orchestra work with fresh harmonies. Music for ensembles and conductors looking to feature their delicate, nuanced, and expressive playing.
Commissioned by Adam Torres and the Stratus Chamber Orchestra
Full Orchestra
(2023)
Full Orchestra (2.2.2.2 - 2.2.3*.1 *-timp.1-2perc- Strings)
Duration: ca. 5 min
*Can play with either Tbn. 3 or Tba. or both
A relentless, energetic work inspired by Beethoven and heavy metal.
2nd Place Winner- Reno Pops Orchestra Composer's Showcase
3rd Place Winner- 2022 The American Prize in Composition
String Orchestra
(2019)
Full string orchestra/ arr. for chamber strings (as few as 9 players)
Duration: ca. 5 min
With rapidly shifting styles, this work uses motifs, "scratch tones,"and other techniques to create a unique and exciting work on the nature of water and its journey.
Young String Orchestra
(2019)
Full string orchestra with opt. piano and percussion
Duration: ca. 3 min
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A work for young string ensembles inspired by the idea that we are stronger together!
Winner: 2020 Minot Symphony Orchestra Young Composer Competition
Full Orchestra
(2019)
Full Orchestra (3.2*.3.2 - 4.2.3.1 - timp.2perc -Hp.* pno - Strings)
Duration: ca. 8'
*EH and Harp doubled or cued in other parts
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A melodic orchestral work written with multiple cues to facilitate a successful performance by ensembles with varied instrumentation. This work begins with a serene introduction inspired by the sounds of nature.
Solo and Small Chamber Works
Music for soloists and small chamber groups
for flute, bassoon, and piano
(2022)
Duration: ca. 7 min
New work involving accessible extended techniques for flute and bassoon. Music that portrays the beauty of our inner-critic giving way so that our true self can match the upbeat "character" we can often portray to others.
for flute and piano
(2022)
Duration: ca. 5 min
A high energy piece that continues without pause. Ram tongue, pitch bending, and elements of prepared piano ensure an exciting recital performance!
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Commissioned by Dr. Megan Lanz
for bass clarinet and piano
(arr. 2022)
Duration: ca. 8 min
Vibrant, virtuosic music showcasing the musician's technical command and expressive, lyrical playing
for cello and piano
(arr. 2022)
Duration: ca. 8 min
Vibrant, virtuosic music showcasing the musician's technical command and expressive, lyrical playing
Duration: ca. 8 min.
"Something that the bassoon repertoire has been missing!"- Dr. Cayla Bellamy
Commissioned by Laura Bennett Cameron, Principal Bassoon- Dallas Winds, Faculty- UT-Arlington
Duration: ca. 10 min. - 3 movements
Colorful work using percussion and simple extended piano techniques to highlight the trumpet soloist.
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Commissioned by Stanley Curtis, Former U.S. Navy Band, Faculty- Colorado State University.
Works for Choir
Winner: The Academy of Voices Call of Scores
for choir and piano
(2014)
Duration: ca. 5 min.
Music with fresh harmonies based on William Wordsworth's work Lucy and a quote attributed to Gustav Mahler.
Works for Percussion
Music for soloists and percussion ensemble
Duration: ca 5 min.
Music for 4-mallet, Low-A (4.3) marimba
5 percussionists
(2011)
Duration: ca. 7 min.
Short marimba concerto that gives brief features to each percussionist
ABOUT
Unique, thoughtful, and meticulously crafted, Kevin Poelking’s work is quickly emerging in the world of modern music. Always mindful of contributing purposefully to the repertoire, Poelking considers the experience of audience members, musicians, and conductors from the outset of his creative process.
Within the first three years of his professional career as a composer, he was named a winner or top finalist in several competitions including The NBA/ William D. Revelli Memorial Composition Contest, The American Prize, The Reno Pops Composer's Showcase, and The Minot Symphony Orchestra Young Composer’s Competition.
Poelking receives regular commissions and performances in his home state of Colorado and beyond. He has received world premieres from The Dallas Winds, the Stratus Chamber Orchestra, and the Montgomery Philharmonic. His music has been performed at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Burgos, the University of Michigan, and other academic and professional venues throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
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An accomplished conductor, Poelking received a Master of Music degree with Dr. Rebecca Phillips, and was invited to conduct the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" in 2019.
His composition teachers include award-winning composer Dr. James M. David and Pulitzer Prize-Nominated composer Dr. Carter Pann.
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Poelking currently serves on the music faculty at Colorado State University and works as Composer-in-Residence for the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras.
CONNECT
"To share and celebrate the intangible power of music and the community that it creates."
Connecting with musicians, directors, teachers, and students.
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- Questions about commissioning a piece or starting a project together -
- Scheduling a guest appearance or residency (virtual or in-person) -
- Share your performance and get a shoutout from our social media accounts -
-To subscribe to our email list and stay up to date on new music-
- Any other reason (no matter how small it may seem!) -​​
CONTACT
the composer
Use the form or email us at contact@kevinpoelking.com