Duration: ca. 5 ½ min
Grade 3-4 Ensembles - (optional piano, up to 9+ percussion)
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)
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)
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.
Wind Symphony
(2023)
2024 National Finalist, The American Prize in Composition for Band/ Wind Ensemble
Duration: ca. 10 min
Advanced Ensembles - (6 percussion, piano)
A majestic and rhythmic work inspired by the beauty and power of the Colorado landscape.
Concert Band
(2022)
2024 National Finalist, The American Prize in Composition for Band/ Wind Ensemble
Duration: 4 min.
Intermediate-Advanced Ensembles
A short, vibrant piece with driving rhythms and fresh harmonies.
Duration: ca. 11 min
Advanced Ensembles - (6 percussion, piano)
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
Premiered by the Dallas Winds in 2019 at Meyerson Symphony Hall
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.
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.
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.
Duration: ca. 3 min
6 Tpt- 4 Hn - 3 Tbn - 2 Euph - 2 Tba - 3 Perc + Timp
Premiered by the Dallas Winds in 2019 at Meyerson Symphony Hall
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
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
String Orchestra with Keyboards
(2024)
Full string orchestra with vibraphone/ marimba (can be covered by piano)
Duration: ca. 2 min
Grade 2.5 - 3 ensembles
A gripping new work for string orchestra with keyboards, this work can be accomplished with less advanced technical skill and includes exciting, achievable effects like glissandi
Full Orchestra
(2023)
-Top 50 European Scoring Orchestra- The Film Academy of Europe Call for Scores
-2024 National Finalist, The American Prize in Composition for Orchestra
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.
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.
Commissioned by Adam Torres and the Stratus Chamber Orchestra
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.
Full Orchestra
(2019)
Winner: 2020 Minot Symphony Orchestra Young Composer Competition
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
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.
Young String Orchestra
(2019)
Full string orchestra with opt. piano and percussion
Duration: ca. 3 min
A work for young string ensembles inspired by the idea that we are stronger together!
Solo and Small Chamber Works
Music for soloists and small chamber groups
Woodwinds
Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Flute Ensemble
Don't see your instrument? Email Contact@KevinPoelking.com to suggest a new work.
for clarinet and audio track
(2024)
Duration: 6min
A unique new work that combines influences from EDM and the classical traditions of Indian music
for flute and piano
(2022)
2024 Flute New Music Consortium Composition Competition Honorable Mention
2024 Colorado Flute Assoc. Featured Work for Young Artist Competition
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!
Commissioned by Dr. Megan Lanz
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 bari sax and piano
(arr. 2024)
Duration: ca. 8 min
Vibrant, virtuosic music showcasing the musician's technical command and expressive, lyrical playing
for bass clarinet 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
for low flute ensemble
(2024)
Duration: ca. 3.5 min
A piece for 3 alto flutes, 3 bass flutes, and 1 contrabass flute
Commissioned by DCFlutes and premiered at the International Low Flutes Festival
Brass
Trumpet, Horn Choir, Trombone Choir
Don't see your instrument? Email Contact@KevinPoelking.com to suggest a new work.
Duration: ca. 10 min. - 3 movements
Colorful work using percussion and simple extended piano techniques to highlight the trumpet soloist.
Commissioned by Stanley Curtis, Former U.S. Navy Band, Faculty- Colorado State University.
Duration: ca. 3 min.
An energetic fanfare for 6 part horn choir
Commissioned for the 56th International Horn Symposium
8-Part Trombone Choir
(2023)
Duration: ca. 5 min
8+ players: 6 Tenor Trombone, 2 Bass Trombone
Commissioned for the 2023 International Trombone Festival
Strings
Cello
Don't see your instrument? Email Contact@KevinPoelking.com to suggest a new work.
for cello and piano
(arr. 2022)
Duration: ca. 8 min
Vibrant, virtuosic music showcasing the musician's technical command and expressive, lyrical playing
Percussion
Don't see your instrument? Email Contact@KevinPoelking.com to suggest a new work.
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
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.
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.
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.
Poelking currently serves on the music faculty at Colorado State University and works as Composer-in-Residence for the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras.
