Melvin Lauf Jr. (1971-Present)

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Introduction
Melvin Lauf, Jr. was born in Ottowa, Ohio in 1971. He was a graduate of the Armed Forces School of Music where he was enlisted in the U.S. Army Band. He spent most of his military service as a fife instrumentalist with "The Old Guard" fife and drum corps but was also stationed in Fort Knox with the Army Band "Dragoons." He is most well-known for his flute compositions but is currently a harpist with the Hampton Roads Philharmonic.

Works
An Offering

This piece was performed at the Alba Music Festival by Flutes USA on June 3. Flute USA is an amateur flute ensemble of various instruments in the flute family. The women performed the peace gracefully to honor Lauf, Jr. as well as other pieces from living composers.

Comparisons/Observations
There is not much information on the work of Lauf, Jr. due to his young age. However, mostly all of his compositions were written for flute ensembles. Most have the same theme of overlapping andante rhythms and sustained chords. A majority of the work of Lauf, Jr. is serene and, at times, misterioso. Thus far, there is not much contrast amongst the work he has produced, but all of which have been successful.