News
Guest Conducting
May 20, 2008
Jager conducted a four-day seminar and concert at Millersville University in Pennsylvania in early May. He worked with compostiion students, conducting a master class in composition, as well as lecturing to students about trends in composition and the role of those trends in the history of the 20th-Century. He conducted several of his works with the Millersville Concert Band and Wind Ensemble (Colonial Airs and Dances, First Suite, Meditations on an Old Scottish Hymn Tune and To Music).
New Publication for Clarinet
Jan 8, 2008
APHORISMS for clarinet and piano is now available from Edward B. Marks through the following source: http://ebmarks.com/markspri.htm. APHORISMS is a suite commissioned by Dr. Garry Evans, clarinet instructor at Texas Woman's University. Dr. Evans premiered the work in the Spring of 2007 at the University of North Texas as part of his doctoral recital.
Jager Conducts at CMEA
Jan 8, 2008
Jager was the guest conductor of the Arapahoe High School Band at the Colorado Music Educator's Association convention on January 24 in Colorado Springs. Jager was invited by Dr. Edward Cannava, Director of Bands at Arapahoe High School, to conduct his composition ESPRIT DE CORPS.
Military Consortium Commission Premieres
Sep 27, 2006
ETERNAL VIGILANCE (The Long Brave Line) which was commissioned by the four U. S. service academy bands will be premiered during the 2006 Fall concert season according to the following schedule: U. S. Naval Academy Band, LCDR Melvin Kessler - conducting, September 29, 2006; U. S. Military Academy Band, LtCol Timothy Holtan - conducting, October 19, 2006; U. S. Air Force Academy Band, LtCol Stephen Grimo - conducting, during their Fall Tour of Texas and New Mexico; and the U. S. Coast Guard Band, LCDR Kenneth W. Megan - conducting, November 5, 2006.
It was the composer's intention to portray in music both the dedication of the men and women who have so valiantly served our country, and the youthful enthusiasm they display as they prepare to become leaders in their own right. To that end, the composition begins with an introduction that pays homage to those who have gone before in the service of our country. This is followed by a solemn, noble theme that is like the voice of tradition from the past to the present calling a new generation to service. The main body of the work is a series of march-like themes and idiomatic fragments much in the collegiate tradition. Throughout this section there are frequent melodic references to the various military organizations - one theme often playing off another. The music reaches a peak which leads into a full-band fanfare, and then to a more developed restatement of the "noble" theme from earlier in the work. A brief, but stirring "coda" brings the music to a climactic close.
Jager Featured in "Composers on Composing for Band"
Feb 16, 2006
Jager is one of 10 composers featured in COMPOSERS ON COMPOSING FOR BAND, Volume Two, by Mark Camphouse. The text explores the musical composition experiences of each and focuses on how the composers creative processes led to their careers, and to their current works. The publisher is GIA Pulications of Chicago, Illinois.
