Jesse Edwards (1996 - present)

Introduction
Jesse Edwards is a composer who currently attends Austin State University for his Bachelor of Music in Composition and studies under Dr. Stephen Lias. He is an internationally performed composer, most recently at the Alba Music Festival in Alba, Italy where his piece "As I Walked" was premiered. His other notable works include the piece "Denim Boy", premiered in Lviv, Ukraine by the Phoenix Ensemble, and works done with the Orchestra of the Pines, Starks Sound, and film director Adam Rothstein. He also has had music featured in the 2016 Alfred Schnittke International Composer's Forum and Competition, the Piney Woods Young Musician's collaborative, the short films "The Memoir of Jacob Rutley" and "Rare Model", Austin State University's production of "By the Bog of Cats", and various other theatre company productions and school choir and drum line performances. He also receives many commissions from individuals around East Texas, where he currently resides.

As I Walked (2017)
"As I Walked" is a piece written by Edwards for bass clarinet and marimba. This piece was premiered by Transient Canvas at the Alba Music Festival in Alba, Italy. Edwards gained inspiration for this piece after strolling though New York.

This piece is a prime example of fine composition; being able to marry two very different instruments together to create a cohesive work that is pleasant to listen to, while still being complex enough to keep the mind engaged in the sounds.

Observations
Edwards plays percussion, piano, guitar, ukulele, and sings. He also enjoys bluegrass and folk music. His favorite time period in musical history is the romantic era. His compositional inspirations are Chopin, Beethoven, Schumann, and Rachmaninov. He said he is inspired most by early solo piano pieces by Schumann, such as "Romance in F# Major". Another favorite piece of his is "Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima" by Penderecki.

Edwards knew he wanted to pursue musical composition as a career when he was asked to compose pieces for his high school band and theatre. These were moments in his life that helped him realize that music was more than just a passion; it was his life. He felt that by creating music, he was able to bring joy and happiness to a wide range of people through the music he composed.

Edwards believes that writing for the enjoyment for himself, the musician, and the audience are all equally important. He does not believe in composing for shock value, but composing for something that speaks deeper inside the human mind for comfort. He believes music should be engaging for all three parties involved, and if one party is disinterested in the piece and took nothing away from the experience, he has failed in his job as a composer.