James A. Beckel Jr. (born 1948) is a contemporary American composer and, as of 2012, principal trombonist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Having taken piano lessons alongside trombone lessons throughout grade school, Beckel improvised greatly using the piano Always fascinated with chords and harmonies, Beckel’s compositional style grew out of the American jazz culture at the time, especially Dave Brubeck.
However, after joining the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and beginning close study of orchestral repertoire, Beckel began a new chapter in his compositional process.
The work stoppage was nearly identical, teetering on whether to reduce the orchestra to a part-time entity or flourish into a full-time, world-class symphony.
While well received, Beckel quickly learned of imminent issues: most pops orchestra directors balk at needing to hire a rhythm section to play the piece, and most classical trombonists don’t improvise.
Later, Celebrations, written for the birth of Beckel’s son, was the beginning of gravitating to writing more concert music than jazz.
The concerto The Glass Bead Game, according to Hal Leonard’s reports in 2011 – despite their initial trepidation – the numbers of sold copies exceeds 800, and in a second printing!
Mark Weaver, former principal trombone with the Coast Guard Band, was a huge help in developing I Am the American Flag.
The last work commissioned by Venzago and composed by Beckel was a Konzertstück, In the Mind’s Eye, a Concerto for Horn Section and Orchestra.
[4] Toccata for Orchestra In the Mind’s Eye Glass Bead Game Fantasy after Schubert Liberty for All American Dream Gardens of Stone A Christmas Fanfare Symphony for Band I Am the American Flag Waltz of the Animals Night Visions Musica Mobilis A Gospel Christmas Inaugural Fanfare Overture for a New Age Make a Joyful Noise Celebrations Portraits Musical Masque (for the Seasons) Music for Winds, Piano, and Percussion Imagination Sonata for Trumpet and Organ American Journey String Quartet No.
1 Concerto for Tuba and Percussion Lament for Two Trombones Primitive Modern Lost Dreams and Rainy Days Three Sketches for Orchestra Christmas Medley for Brass Septet Amazing Grace Freedom’s Hope The Long Dream Intrada They’re Playing our Song[5]