Music of Jim Stephenson Recital Tour

Hello! My name is Joe Nibley. I am currently a doctoral trumpet student of Dr. Christopher Moore at Florida State University, where I am finished with my coursework and am beginning research for my final treatise and lecture recital. I also serve as adjunct faculty at the University of South Alabama, as Principal Trumpet of the Albany (GA) Symphony Orchestra, and as Third Trumpet of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra.

As a trumpeter, I have always been interested in new music, but have never really understood how the process of commissions work. Therefore, the focus of my research is the process of commissioning new music--from the idea to commission a piece, selecting a composer, negotiotiating the composition process, and finally to rehearsing and premiering the piece. To assist in this effort I have commissioned a new sonata from esteemed composer James M. Stephenson. Since being introduced to it in my masters program, I have found Jim's music to be the perfect combination of technically challenging and musically fulfilling, and I am incredibly excited to work with him on this project.

I am also planning on writing brief write-ups for the International Trumpet Guild Journal as well as the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors Journal, which I am hoping could turn into opportunities to present and/or perform at these organizations' respective conferences. Down the road, I also hope to publish my research as a "How To" guide for musicians looking to commission and perform new music.

In addition to the new sonata and publication efforts, my goal is to travel to a number of colleges and universities, presenting a lecture recital based on my research including a performance of the new sonata. I have already received invitations to perform at a number of institutions, from my alma maters Brigham Young University (David Brown) and the University of Michigan (Bill Campbell) to schools in the southeast such as the University of Southern Mississippi (Dr. Jason Bergman) and the University of South Alabama (Dr. Peter Wood) and other well known programs such as Baylor (Wiff Rudd) and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Mark Clodfelter), with a few other stops in the works.

And that's where you come in. While I have committed to paying for the sonata, I have limited funds to assist in the lecture recital tour and publication portion of my project. Since this will require travel and other incidental expenses (airfare/gas, food, lodging, accompanist fees, cost of publication, etc.), I am asking for assistance with that portion of my project. Any amount that can be donated will be greatly appreciated and will go toward one of these recitals--possibly even to a location near you!

Let's make it happen!