Author Archives: Andrew Lyon

2026 Reading Session is happening! On April 17th and 18th, the NCO will be gathering from across the country for our 2026 Reading Session in beautiful Chicago, Illinois.

2026 Reading Session is happening! On April 17th and 18th, the NCO will be gathering from across the country for our 2026 Reading Session in beautiful Chicago, Illinois.

“Short Ride” PART TWO IS HERE!
Andrew talks about how what he heard in one recording led to an incredible musical moment! We promise, it’s a pretty cool story.

Buckle Up and Hold On!!
Ever wonder what kind of music a high-speed joyride would inspire a composer to write? “Short Ride” gives us a taste of life in the fast lane in this 100 mile-a-minute piece that will have you reaching for the OH $#!T handle. WARNING: DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS WHILE YOU’RE DRIVING!!

Inspired by those small handheld pinball games we had as kids, David puts us inside the action by bringing to life the chaos of it all with an exciting choreography of dance and melodic exchanges that keep you on the edge of your seat. An intense yet intimate experience for the audience, and a great challenge for the orchestra!

The best way to describe Sacrosanct is “a great balance of serenity and energy”.  That’s not easy to pull that off, but Miho does it wonderfully here!

This piece dips a toe ever so slightly into the avant-garde, HOWEVER it doesn’t go completely over the edge because the melodies are tonal, memorable, and never overlap to the point of musical chaos. The lush middle section maintains the forward momentum before heading into a surprise ending.

Food courts, Spencer’s Gifts, JCPenny’s, and Cinnabon – they’re all here! This week’s Repertoire Review looks at Ghost Boxes as it takes us down the halls of these abandoned shrines to capitalism like a pack of neon-clad mall walkers.

In this week’s Repertoire Review, we explore the unique and inviting sound of Banyan Tree. It is a great piece that brings to mind the long winding and intertwining roots of the grand banyan trees.

A piece as foundational to our country (or any country, for that matter) as the National Anthem is given a touch of new life in the hands of one of the world’s most prolific composers, who was known for stretching – and ignoring – musical boundaries.