Trust is a composition for marimba solo and percussion quintet. It was written in Spring of 2022 and unofficially premiered at Auburn in November 2023. The official premiere was performed in May 2024 by the students of the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. After months of preparation, the piece was recorded here at Auburn University in Lucky Man Studio. Performers included myself, three current undergraduate students, and two recent graduates. Trammell Starks served as the audio and mixing engineer. Video was captured by Continuous Motion Productions, a third-party video production company with connections to the Vanderbilt University percussion program. Our presentation would focus on the audio recording and mixing processes. Audio was captured during a full-day session with Trammell and the performers. Most performers recorded individually, playing along with a carefully curated click-track. Some homogeneous choirs recorded in groups. After capturing audio, each take was carefully chosen and edited to prepare for the mixing process. Trammell and I worked together over the course of several months to craft the audio mix. The project is near to completion. The audio requires a mastering session, and we expect to receive a full first draft of the video in the next week. 

Aaron is a percussionist and composer, holding music degrees from Auburn University (c/o 2015) and the Eastman School of Music.

Collaborator Name: Trammell Starks Title: Recording Engineer College: Liberal Arts |
NOTE: There are links to audio files for these 4 faculty works in the box folder

This album highlights the stories told through the music of women composers from both the past and present. It includes works from well-known composers whose fame has diminished and new voices in today’s music scene. These pieces reflect personal and imaginative experiences, drawing inspiration from nature and poetry. The songs, through both lyrics and melody, capture the emotions of their creators and emphasize the importance of women in classical music. The album also features performer-arranged pieces by Amy Beach (“Three Browning Songs”) and Delphine von Schauroth (“Six Songs Without Words”), showcasing the depth of their work. This recording gives women composers a platform to share their histories, the legacies of their ancestors, and the stories of their communities. By highlighting these musical expressions, the album honors the past and supports the future of women’s contributions to music. Supplemental materials provide comprehensive CD liner notes and links to the album’s audio, offering further context and engagement with the music.

Virginia Broffitt Kunzer is the Professor of Flute at Auburn University, Flutist in Elicio Winds, and Principal Flute in the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.

Artist’s Name: Tammie Walker Title: Director of the University of Iowa School of Music |
NOTE: There are links to audio files for these 4 faculty works in the box folder

Convergence is an album that celebrates Alabama’s vibrant cultural heritage through classical music. Each piece was commissioned by the Elicio Winds—Virginia Broffitt Kunzer, Kathleen Carter Bell, and Conor Bell—and reflects the state’s rich history and artistic spirit. The opening piece, lullaby | ballad | spiritual, weaves together three beloved Alabama folk songs. Voyage pays tribute to Huntsville’s contributions to NASA’s Voyager program, while Birds of Maycomb is a set of character pieces which draw inspiration from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, using native Alabama birdsongs as melodic and thematic material. Usonian Games connects the music to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural vision, particularly the Rosenbaum House, by mirroring its visual lines. The album concludes with Clockwork No. 5, which explores Alabama’s diverse landscapes, focusing on the beauty of Gulf Shores and featuring accompanying videography. Named Convergence, the album emphasizes the connections between music, community, and various art forms. This project was made possible through generous grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, which supported the commissioning and recording of these works. Additional materials include detailed program notes, streaming links, and images of the CD artwork.

Virginia Broffitt Kunzer is the Professor of Flute at Auburn University, Flutist in Elicio Winds, and Principal Flute in the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.

Artist’s Name: Kathleen Carter Bell Title: Faculty at West Texas A&M University |
Connor Bell
Faculty at West Texas A&M University

Cosmic Travel is a composition for mallet quartet. It was composed by my colleague Daniel Berg who teaches at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. The official premiere was performed in April 2024 by current and former Auburn students in Telfair Peet Theatre. After months of preparation, the piece was recorded here at Auburn University in Lucky Man Studio. Performers included myself, one current undergraduate student, and two recent graduates. Trammell Starks served as the audio and mixing engineer. Video was captured by Continuous Motion Productions, a third-party video production company with connections to the Vanderbilt University percussion program. Our presentation would focus on the audio recording and mixing processes. Audio was captured during a full-day session with Trammell and the performers. All performers recorded individually, playing along with a carefully curated click-track. After capturing audio, each take was carefully chosen and edited to prepare for the mixing process. Trammell and I worked together over the course of several months to craft the audio mix. The project is near to completion. The audio needs some additional mixing, and the second draft of video is currently undergoing revisions.

Aaron is a percussionist and composer, holding music degrees from Auburn University (c/o 2015) and the Eastman School of Music.

Collaborator Name: Trammell Starks Title: Recording Engineer College: Liberal Arts |
Connor Bell
Faculty at West Texas A&M University