Thu, 25 Sep 2025 06:52:28 -0500WeeblyWed, 27 May 2015 17:55:09 GMThttps://www.darrenwjenkins.com/blog/new-published-works-from-wingert-jones-now-availableGreetings!!  The end of another wonderful school year (: I really enjoyed my new position as a Middle School Band Assistant and look forward to next year…after a nice, relaxing summer of course (: 

Currently, I'm working on the Shawnee Mission North halftime show for this fall…with a current tentative working show title of "Predator/Prey" it will feature a lot of great, recognizable movie music.  I am also looking forward to arranging/composing for Topeka Jazz Workshop again, as well as writing some new pieces for Wingert-Jones Publications.

Which brings me to the subject of this post…I have 4 new published works available now from Wingert Jones Publications!  I am excited about each of these pieces, and you can find out more information about each through the "Published Music" link on this website (by redirection to JWPepper.com)

These works are: (with publisher descriptions below)

Dragon Flight (Grade 2) -- Dragon Flight is a musical work intended to depict the flight of these wondrous, mythical animals. With a soaring musical theme and driving ostinato pattern, one can sense the feeling of wonder as these giant creatures glide through the air in full regal splendor.

Music of the Water (Shenandoah/The Water is Wide) (Grade 3) -- Music of the Water is a lyric piece that skillfully intertwines the melodies of Shenandoh and The Water is Wide to create a piece that reflects the flowing beauty and majesty of a great river. The melodies float gracefully together and apart with moves and turns, just as rivers ebb and flow as they drift through the landscape. Wonderfully arranged, it presents a tremendous opportunity for teaching musicality and melodic style.

A Festive Holiday Greeting (Grade 3) -- Add a touch of international flavor to the holiday season with this colorful setting of O Christmas Tree, We Three Kings, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas presented in a bold Spanish fanfare and dance style. Each carol is introduced with the opening fanfare and within each section other holiday fragments can be heard in brief statements. The use of Latin percussion instruments adds to the festive nature that will delight everyone.

Echoes From the Battlefield (Great Songs from World War 1) (Grade 3) -- Echoes From the Battlefield was written to mark the 100 year anniversary of World War 1 and presents four popular songs from that era. It opens with the well-known Over There, which is followed by It's a Long Way From Tipperary.  The warm and moving Keep the Home Fires Burning then follows before closing with the jaunty and morale-boosting Pack Up Your Troubles in an Old Kit Bag.


I hope that you are able to take a look at these new works…I am very proud and pleased at how they turned out.  As always, I'm happy to answer any questions about these or any of my works…as well as discussion commissioning a work, arrangement, etc. 


I hope everyone has a wonderful summer…I know I plan on having one myself (:



]]>Sun, 15 Mar 2015 04:34:00 GMThttps://www.darrenwjenkins.com/blog/spring-break-is-hereGreetings...Spring Break is here and time for much needed decompression from the daily grind of the school year (: 


My composing has been on the back burner for a bit as I've been getting publisher proofs finished, and the aforementioned big band arrangement of "Rainy Days and Mondays" wrapped up.  I'll soon be working on at least one local area high school's marching band show music for the 2015 season (maybe more...) as well as new music I'm sure for Wingert-Jones' catalogue...and I always try to write at least one or two new charts for the Topeka Jazz Workshop band I play in for our summer concert series as well.  That being said...if anyone is interested in commissioning new music, now is a great time for me (:  (yes...that was a shameless plug and commercial message)


Otherwise, things are going well...I can't believe this school year is 3/4 of the way finished.  My new position as a Middle School Band Assistant (where I help with the bands at 3 different middle schools every day) is great.  I am very lucky to work with 3 wonderful colleagues who do an excellent job and make being a part of each of their programs fun and exciting (:  


Personally, life is great as well...I'm happy to say I have a truly wonderful and special girlfriend...I'm very lucky to have her in my life.  She is an incredible woman who I have come to love very much (:  I can honestly say I haven't been this happy in a very long time...


When my new publications are up on JWPepper, I'll update my website as well...my new works include a WWI medley, Christmas fanfare/opener, ballad based on "Shenandoah" and "The Water is Wide", and a new majestic opener for young band.  ]]>Fri, 26 Dec 2014 17:26:05 GMThttps://www.darrenwjenkins.com/blog/happy-holidaysand-other-thingsHappy Holidays everyone (:  Mine have been very restful and joyful indeed (: I'm looking to upgrade my domain name soon, as well as being able to add audio files (mainly of new works for a "sneak peak")  I have a few new things finished that will be published with Wingert-Jones this upcoming year that I'm happy with...especially a new Christmas work in 3/4 incorporating quotes from various carols in the style of a Spanish/Mexican fiesta...the fact I'm excited about it usually means it won't be as well received (:  It always seems like things I'm lukewarm about are well-received...and things I really feel good about get kind of a casual "yeah...whatever" (:  

I'm currently working on a big band arrangement of the Carpenter's "Rainy Days and Mondays" as a laid back, easy shuffle funk ballad-esque style.  I have two arrangements I've done of Carpenter's tunes already ("Close to You" as a salsa, and "We've Only Just Begun" as a jazz waltz alto sax feature) My goal is to someday have enough Carpenter's tunes arrangements to have an albums worth (:  We'll see how this one turns out...so far, it's shaping up nicely...

I'd also like to mention I have a new muse in my life (:  She's a great lady I met a little while back who really is interested in my compositional work and that has in turn fueled me to want to write more...not just when I have a deadline, but just because I feel the desire to.  I haven't felt that way in a long, long time (:  Very thankful she's in my life for many reasons...but that is a very good one for sure (:

This year started off pretty craptacular for me...but is going to end much, much better (:  I hope you find yourself enjoying the best of life in 2015 as I know I am...by the way, aren't we supposed to be getting those flying hover boards this year according to Back to the Future II?  (:]]>Sat, 06 Dec 2014 19:44:49 GMThttps://www.darrenwjenkins.com/blog/welcome-to-my-websitei-finally-have-a-very-minimal-and-hopefully-being-the-key-word-operational-website-up-now-its-mainly-in-case-someone-is-trying-to-find-some-more-info-on-me-and-hopefully-will-now-lead-them-to-the-right-placeim-not-sure-i