composer Harry roper

I write music for three core reasons – to please listeners and players, to improve student skills, and to encourage the reading and playing experience. All three of these things are important, and I hope they are always present in my music.

My composition teachers were Alfred Swan of Haverford College, and Thaddeus Jones of Catholic University. Also, I have learned a lot from some 57 years of music-making in rehearsals, personal performances, conducting of orchestras, concert bands of all sizes, chamber music groups, choirs, choral and madrigal ensembles, barbershop groups, and "cool jazz", swing, and Dixieland bands.

I live in Houlton, Maine, at the northern end of interstate 95. At the time of writing this I am 74 years old, and have been teaching, composing, rehearsing, and performing music since I was about 10 years old.

Eight of my compositions have been published commercially. I have more than ten times that number completed, notated on my computer, and I am ready to send hard copies to anyone who wants them.

When I compose, I usually have the players' skill level in mind. Most of my music, but not all, is carefully written for amateurs and students. Some is for highly skilled players, by request. Almost all of it has been performed, and all of it is tonal. If you comment: "that sounds like Mendelssohn, or Dvorak", I will be pleased.

My most popular and frequently performed pieces include "March for a Brightening Day", "Walking Tune", "Long-Slur Samba", "Concertino For Horn", "A First Symphony For Young String Orchestra", "Aroostook Winter Music", various workshop pieces in blues style, and the "Klesmer Concerto" for two solo clarinets and chamber orchestra. The "Concertino For Horn", which has orchestra or band or piano accompaniment is published commercially by Touch of Brass Music, as is "Four Seasons In Maine" for 6-part flute choir. Most of my compositions are listed alphabetically on the website, and some are also sampled.

Thank you for taking an interest in my music. If it does not meet your needs, let me know, I can compose to fit your needs!

Harrison Roper
207-532-3797
harryroper@verizon.net
Houlton, Maine