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Composition

Composition not only includes the writing of music, but in the broader sense, the creation and/or preservation of music. This includes the areas of composition, arranging, orchestration, transciption, as well as proofreading and music copywork. Each area not only ties into the next, but facilitates a better understanding of each step of the compositional process.

Ward Baxter has been actively pursuing the study of composition for the past several years. Well versed in a myriad of genres, he combines his improvisational background, musical diversity, and attention to detail in all of his original works. The instantly recognizable quality of his music ties in closely with his background in visual arts and graphic design. Although versed in all styles of music, his heart lies with chamber literature and works for Wind Ensemble and Large Jazz Ensemble.

In 2000, he formed Baxter Music Publishing as a venue to promote not only his own compositions and arrangements, but also other interested composers in the community. Whether composition or transcription, arrangement or part preparation, Ward Baxter continuously strives for the highest standards in music.

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Charts available for purchase online...

Please visit Baxter Music Publishing to view the online catalog.

View score samples, download MP3s of selected compositions and arrangements, and purchase online!

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Current Projects/Commissions...

• Wind Ensemble orchestration of Edvard Grieg's "Notturno" from Lyric Suite, Op.54
• "Joshua" arrangement for SDSU 'A Band'
• Series of Polish hymnals for Janusz Supernak

If you are interested in commissioning Mr. Baxter, please contact him toll-free at (800) 315-0015, or via e-mail at ward@wardbaxter.com.

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Featured Compositions...

Bell & Howl
Saxophone concerto with Wind Ensemble commissioned by Lee Elderton.

You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!
Low instrument concerto for Wind Ensemble

Variations on Stella by Starlight
Saxophone quartet (SATB) composed for the Jazz en el TEO series in Costa Rica.

Finale (from the Firebird Suite)
Orchestration of Stravinsky's revolutionary ballet for saxophone orchestra (SSAAAATTBBs) with optional bass drum

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Selected Works...

Below you will find some selected repertoire seperated by category. Linked selections are available for purchase or download as MP3 files.

Jazz Ensemble w/ vocal (Transcriptions & Arrangements)

(conductor's score/vocal lead sheet/vocal score/5 saxes/4 tpts/4 tbns/piano/bass/drums)

	title	key	style	as recorded by...
A	Because You Loved Me	Db Maj	Rock Ballad	Celine Dion
T	Bei Mir Bis Du Schon	D min	Medium-up Swing	Steve & Eydie
T	Bump City	Bb Maj	Medium Funk	Tower of Power
T	Cheek To Cheek	Ab Maj	Medium-up Swing	Steve & Eydie
A	Christmas Waltz	Eb Maj	Afro-Cuban Latin Feel	(original arrangement)
T	*Hard Hearted Hannah	F Maj	Medium Swing	Julie London
T	I'm Beginning To See the Light	C Maj	Medium Swing	Natalie Cole
T	Knock on Wood	Bb Maj	Motown Rock	Eddie Floyd
T	Last Dance	Eb Maj	Disco	Donna Summer
T	Makin' Whoopee!	Eb Maj	Medium Swing	Dr. John
T	Midnight Hour (In The)	E Maj	Motown Rock	Wilson Pickett
A	New Year's Medley: Auld Lang Syne / What Are You Doing New Years?	F Maj	Ballad	(original arrangement)
T	Perfidia	G Maj	Latin Cha-Cha	Linda Rondstadt (from "Mambo Kings")
T	Ring a Ding-Ding	F Maj	Medium-up Swing	Frank Sinatra
T	Rescue Me	A Maj	Motown Rock	Fontella Bass
T	Side by Side	A Maj	Medium Swing	Steve & Eydie
A	*Soon	Eb Maj	Medium-up Swing	(original arrangement)
T	That Old Black Magic	Eb Maj	Medium-up Swing	Sammy Davis, Jr.
T	The Way You Look Tonight	C Maj	Medium Swing	Frank Sinatra
T	Undecided	Eb Maj	Medium-up Swing	Natalie Cole
A	White Christmas	C Maj	Ballad	(original arrangement)

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Jazz Ensemble w/out vocal (Transcriptions & Arrangements)

(conductor's score/5 saxes/4 tpts/4 tbns/piano/bass/drums)

	title	key	style	information...
O	Para Cueballs		ECM feel	soprano sax and vibraphone solos
A	Remember		Medium Swing	tenor sax solo

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10 Piece Big Band w/vocal

(Vocal / Vocal Lead Sheet / A.Sax / T.Sax / B.Sax / 2 Tpt / Tbn / Piano / Guitar / Bass / Drums / Score)

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR 10 PIECE CHARTS...

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Latin Charts

(2 tpts/tbn/a.sax/t.sax/piano/bass)

	title	key	style	as recorded by...
	A Tiempo Lento	C Maj	Salsa	Fabio Miranda
	Avisale	Bb min	Salsa
	Confusion	C Maj	Salsa	Fabio Miranda
	Jicotea	G Maj	Salsa	Marvin Santiago
	Juan en la Cima	C Maj	Salsa	Richie Ray y su Orquesta
	La Cura	B min	Salsa	Frankie Ruiz
	Mexico Rhumba Grande	Bb Maj	Salsa	Charlie D'Cali
	Tu Carinito	Bb Maj	Salsa	Puerto Rican Power
	Una Vez Mas	A min	Salsa	Anthony Cruz
	Yo no tomo con hombre	C min	Salsa	Grupo Niche

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Saxophone Ensemble (separate page coming soon!)

(Key: Sa - sopranino, S- soprano, A - Alto, T - tenor, B - Baritone, Bs - Bass, Cb - Contrabass)

Original Compositions and Concert Pieces

	Title	Composer	Instrumentation
	Finale (from the Firebird Suite)	Stravinsky	SSAAAATTBBs
	Variations on Stella by Starlight	W. Clifton Baxter	SATB
	String Quartet, Opus 18 No. 2	Beethoven	SATB
	Canon in D	Pachelbel	SATB
	Trumpet Voluntary	Clarke	SATB
	Solace	Scott Joplin	SATB

Transcriptions and arrangements

	Title	Composer	Instrumentation
	Alley Cat	Bent Fabric	SATB
	America, from West Side Story	Leonard Bernstein	SATB
	Bolivia		SATB
	Chameleon		SATB
	Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)	Mel Torme	SATBBs + vocal or solo
	Days of Wine and Roses	Henry Mancini	SATB
	Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas		SATBBs
	Little Brown Jug	Glenn Miller	SATB
	Sing, Sing, Sing	Louis Prima	SATB
	Sister Sadie	Horace Silver	SATB
	Soul Bossa	Quincy Jones	SATB
	Take the 'A' Train	Ellington/Strayhorn	SATB
	That's Amore		SATB
	You Took Advantage of Me		SATB

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Lead Sheets

(transpositions for Concert, Bb, Eb, and Bass Clef)

All material ©2024 Ward Baxter unless otherwise noted. Last updated Jun. 21, 2008 7:14pm. visits.

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