2025 First-Time Editors’ Choice Honorees: Instrumental Composers

Editors’ Choice, one of our flagship services, represents the very best new music for every ensemble. The J.W. Pepper staff reviews hundreds of selections from a broad range of publishers, awarding only the highest quality titles our signature red check mark.

In addition to being a helpful tool for teachers and directors, Editors’ Choice represents a major career aspiration for composers and arrangers! For the second year running, we’re featuring composers who’ve had one of their instrumental pieces chosen for the first time this year. Read on to learn about the honorees and their selected works.

For more inspiration, check out our 2024 First-Time Editors’ Choice Composers blog!

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First-Time Editors’ Choice Instrumental Composers

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Aside from self-inspiration, my family has always been supportive of my writing. My kids give me the okay and offer suggestions, while my wife tells me if it’s good or not, making any necessary changes. Growing up, my parents played a large role in my musical endeavors. I still compose jazz and classical on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, and other music avenues as Josh Bedell. Special thanks to an amazing composer and colleague, Brad Hartman, who introduced me to T.U.X. People’s Music.

The fugue motifs in Trois Petites Fugues sat dormant for more than two decades before being revived and combined into a single work for string orchestra. I originally composed the three distinct fugue melodies during my time at the University of Miami. That early work for string orchestra, also titled Trois Petites Fugues, later received an Honorable Mention in the American String Teachers Association’s 75th Anniversary Composition Competition. As a saxophonist, it felt natural to reimagine the piece for saxophone ensemble. I preserved the original key to allow for potential performances between strings and saxophones, and after careful consideration, chose the instrumentation of soprano, two altos, tenor, and baritone saxophone. Trois Petites Fugues is a vibrant work for saxophone quintet written in three concise movements. Each fugue explores a distinct character and mood, showcasing the versatility and expressive range of the ensemble. Trois Petites Fugues challenges advanced performers with rewarding technical passages while remaining engaging and accessible.

Where to find Ron:

Website: roncastonguay.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ron.castonguay

Instagram: @RonCastonguayJr or @tikateemethod

YouTube (Ron Castonguay): youtube.com/@ronaldcastonguay

YouTube (The Tik-A Tee Method): youtube.com/@thetik-ateemethod

Twitter/X: @RonCastonguay

TikTok: @RonCastonguay

Never Give In, Never Give Up was inspired by the individual struggle of pursuing dreams in the face of doubt and adversity. I wanted to capture the resilience and determination required to overcome life’s challenges. The piece unfolds as a narrative in four sections—Hesitation, Joyous Days, Obstacles, and The Voice—each representing a stage in the emotional journey of chasing aspirations.

The opening reflects uncertainty and hesitation in deciding whether to move forward. This contrasts with Joyous Days, filled with optimism and energy, echoing the brightness of dreams. The storm arrives in Obstacles, portraying fierce struggles and the heartbreak of shattered hopes. Just when hope seems lost, The Voice enters—a gentle reminder to keep going. I composed this piece as a heartfelt reminder to all: no matter how difficult the journey is, never give in, and never give up.

I am the founder of thaiwindcomposers.com, an online resource and community dedicated to promoting wind music in Thailand. I’ve been recognized with awards including the ARTZenter Institute Emerging Composer Completion Grants (2025), the James E. Croft Grant for Young and Emerging Wind Band Composers (2024), and winner of Austin Symphonic Band’s third annual Young Composers’ Contest (2024).

Where to find Viskamol:

Website: viskamol.com

Youtube: @viskamolmusic

Instagram: @viskamolmusic

TikTok: @viskamolmusic

Banana Island is an extraordinary fictional place: coconut palms, date palms, mango trees, banana trees, and mangroves grow in abundance. Animals live there in heavenly harmony. On a Caribbean soca rhythm, several themes develop and create a dialogue between the various registers. A central section offers the trumpet and trombone the chance to display their soloist skills. This work is full of energy and brimming over with enthusiasm! This music forms part of the musical tale La Malédiction d’Aragne (Aragon’s Curse), written by Dominique Schweizer and commissioned by the Lyre de Courtion (dir. Dominique Morel) on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Upcoming projects include an Oboe Concerto with Concert Band (ohf-fbo.ch/) and La lumière du jour à sa juste valeur, a Christmas cantata for mixed choir and orchestra (ocl.ch/concert/dominicale-n3-25-26/)

Where to find Etienne:

Website: etienne-crausaz.ch

Columbus was inspired by the great age of exploration. The music reflects both the excitement and the uncertainty of setting out on an unknown journey across the seas, symbolizing human courage and curiosity.

Supernova takes its inspiration from the cosmos. I wanted to capture the dazzling power and energy of a star’s explosion as well as the sense of wonder and infinity that such astronomical events evoke. It is both dramatic and luminous, with moments of intensity and brilliance. I am currently working on several new commissions, including works for concert band and brass band, as well as a concerto for baritone saxophone.

Where to find Thierry:

Website: thierrydeleruyelle.com

Facebook: facebook.com/thierrydeleruyelle

Instagram: @thierry_deleruyelle

Youtube: youtube.com/@thierrydeleruyelle

Commissioned by Hub New Music, the piece is titled after and based on Keith Taylor’s poem “Acolytes in the Bird-While,” which explores the flora and fauna of Michigan and the struggle to persist in the face of climate change. I aimed to write a concerto for a unique group of instruments that demonstrates virtuosity while providing a platform for awareness of and education around environmental and climate justice. Each movement derives its title from Taylor’s poem, drawing attention to pivotal lines in the poem’s narrative. Five percent of the proceeds from this piece are donated to the Bird Center of Michigan. I’m grateful that The Bird-While was named a 2024 Sousa-ABA Ostwald Composition Contest finalist and continues to reach new audiences each season in both its mixed quartet soloists and quintet soloists forms. I’m excited for my upcoming collaborations on a new work for soprano and symphonic winds, featuring renowned vocalist Lindsay Kesselman, and a saxophone quartet concerto for the acclaimed ensemble ~Nois.  

Where to find Gala:

Website: galaflagello.com

Facebook: facebook.com/galaflagello

Instagram: @galaflagello

Kirk Out started when the bass line that you hear was running through my head, and the melody and chords materialized out of that. After completing it, I realized that it was influenced by a mixture of Wayne Shorter, Sergio Mendez, and Hermeto Pasqual, in addition to rock and funk bands that inspired me over the years.

Where to find Tom:

Facebook: facebook.com/tom.garling.3

Website: tomgarling.com

Bandcamp: tomgarling.bandcamp.com

YouTube: youtube.com/@tomgarling6320

Sighting the Swallow was inspired by the cultural significance of the eponymous bird, the swallow, in the many countries it inhabits. In China, where I grew up, swallows are seen as symbols of family because of their monogamous mating habits, while for sailors, they represent safe returns because of their extensive migration patterns. I happened to be writing this piece during a period of extended travel, and I looked to the swallow as a beacon of community despite my constant moving. One project I’m really excited about this year is the premiere of my Violin Concerto with the Albany Symphony and soloist Keila Wakao on November 8, 2025!

Where to find Bobby:

Website: bobbygemusic.com

YouTube: youtube.com/@bobbycge

 Instagram: @bobbycge

For me, exciting orchestral literature starts with rhythm. Once I had in mind the syncopated figure for the intro, the forward motion of the piece came into focus. Voyage of the Sunchasers features syncopated rhythms most often found in rock and pop music. Just add some aggressive articulations and epic chord changes for an exciting piece full of rock-inspired rhythms and harmonies. I have works available for all levels of orchestra as well as a collection of fiddle tunes for classroom or individual use. 

Where to find Matthew:

My Score: jwpepper.com/myscore/mgelfer

This composition is inspired by five masterpieces from the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. It begins with an introductory passage, Promenade, which leads into Cheerful Company, a lively depiction of tavern life after the 17th-century Dutch painter Dirck Hals. The journey then continues with Claude Monet’s Pond at Montgeron. Here, the lyrical Andante cantabile from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s string quartet—Tchaikovsky spent his final years in St. Petersburg—serves as the main theme on which all subsequent concertante variations are built. The next movement, Dance II, draws its energy from Henri Matisse’s famous Dance 2, followed by a section inspired by Titian’s moving canvas Christ Carrying the Cross. The cycle concludes with Home Concert, another charming scene by Dirck Hals, bringing the work to a graceful and atmospheric close.

Where to find Jan:

Website: jandehaan.com/en

Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100016727388016

Instagram: @jandehaanmusic

At its core, Jubilate is a celebration of the wind ensemble itself. I began writing the piece after a series of events rekindled my connection to the broader music community, bringing back memories of my time performing in wind ensembles throughout high school and college. Those experiences—marked by joy and camaraderie—inspired me to revisit some of the repertoire that had a lasting impact on me, including Vincent Persichetti’s Pageant and Gustav Holst’s First Suite in E-flat. Elements of these works can be heard throughout Jubilate, which, through its bright and playful character, aims to capture the sense of joy I experienced while playing in these ensembles.

Where to find Jacob:

Website: jacob-harrison.com

These charts were a joy to arrange, and I’m grateful that Hal Leonard curates their Pop Specials for Strings series so well. Die with a Smile was one of last summer’s biggest hits, and it’s easy to see why—how could a Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga collaboration not be a success? Both artists are from my generation, and it’s been exciting to watch them rise to stardom. I’m honored to have worked with a piece of their music.

MacArthur Park was recently featured in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, so we thought it was the perfect time to give it new life with a string arrangement. Written by Jimmy Webb, it’s one of the great songs of the last century, paving the way for long-form pop classics like Hey Jude; Bohemian Rhapsody and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Its borderline over-the-top drama and sweeping emotion are brilliant, and to date, it remains one of my favorite songs I’ve had a chance to arrange.

Where to find Chris:

Website: chrislarosa.com

Facebook: facebook.com/clarosa1

Instagram: @chrislarosamusic

IMDB: imdb.com/name/nm3496356/

My piece is inspired by a variety of Latin American dance genres. They represent the joy of diverse people joining to share their love and community in a big fiesta or party. At the moment, I am getting ready for a composer residency at Towson University in Baltimore. The university is celebrating a big festival in September and October, and my new piece for soprano and clarinet, Canciones de amor y soledad, will be premiered by the Whistling Hens. Also, I am in the process of filming a video for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra as part of their educational program The Young People’s Concert, for which they commissioned and premiered my symphonic piece El Niño in March 2025.

Where to find Sonia:

Website: soniamoralesmatos.com

I wanted to create an original work that featured the Dies Irae from a traditional requiem to expose younger students to the nuances of the music’s history. I took a fragment of the original theme and weaved it into the foundation of the piece. Hopefully, they will start to hear it in other works ranging from Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique to the original Star Wars score. Apart from teaching and composing, I like to perform around Houston with various artists. I am the orchestra teacher at Memorial Middle School in Houston, Texas. I’m mostly a jazz bassist, but I work with singer-songwriters and other artists. This is my second published composition, my first being Retrospect (2022).

Where to find Kevin:

Website: memorialmsorchestra.com

Instagram: @kevinraybassist 

When I received the commission to compose this work about snow, I had to consider what feelings and emotions are triggered by snow. I am sure any person living in a snowy area will agree, there are basically three emotions related to snow. So, I decided to musically convey these three emotions.

This composition reflects the three phases of a snowstorm. Snow warning, Snowfall, and playing in the snow. Drawing from my experience living in the northern United States, this piece begins with the anxiety of a snowstorm warning, portrayed through clear and rhythmic playing. The second phase represents snowflakes gently falling, with the energy growing without rushing. The final phase captures the joy of playing in the snow after the storm has passed with a lighthearted celebratory feeling.

I have two published books: Patterns for Jazz Phrasing and Daily Practice Exercises to Develop Jazz Lines. I’m currently writing another called How to Play in a Music Ensemble. I perform with a big band called The Salt City Jazz Collectives and a local band called The DeSantis Orchestra.

Where to find Joe:

Email: jriposo@twcny.rr.com 

Both works were commissioned by the 2nd Marine Division Band for their performance in Belleau, France, for the 2024 commemoration of the Battle of Belleau Wood. Being a U.S. Marine myself, this battle holds deep significance to me. My hope for The Marines of Belleau Wood was to simply commemorate the battle with a march that would bring thoughts of the U.S. Marines marching away from the battle after winning it. For Les Camarades du Bois Belleau, my hope was to use both French and American folk melodies and tunes to show the cooperation between the French and American forces to defeat an overwhelming German force in this battle.

I have 32 published works for wind band and orchestra. My most recent large-scale work was commissioned and premiered by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and can be heard at youtu.be/EZ5SSVERHPI.

Where to find Onsby:

Facebook: facebook.com/onsby.rose or facebook.com/lefthanddoormusic

Instagram: @onsby_rose 

YouTube: youtube.com/@onsbyrose

As a child, I played Holst’s St Paul’s Suite and Britten’s Simple Symphony first as a violinist, later as a violist. Both were particularly fun to play, so when I wrote my pieces, I was aiming to create music that my younger self would have enjoyed learning.  

In the Bleak Midwinter is my favorite Christmas carol; it has a female lyricist (Christina Rossetti) and a soulful melody written by, again, Holst. His The Planets suite was one of the first pieces of classical music I was introduced to and one of three scores with which I taught myself the basics of orchestration. When I had the chance to arrange a carol, this was the obvious choice for me!

And finally, I love jazz, French impressionism, and house music, so they have a tendency to creep into my writing alongside the classical traditions I was exposed to as a youngster. My first book of viola pieces for early learners working at ABRSM Grades 1–3 came out in June and is published by Clifton Edition. Wingert-Jones will be releasing some new works of mine for string orchestra next year. I will be writing a second book later this year and am also working on several piano pieces.

Where to find Alexandra:

Website: alexandraskevingtonmusic.com/composing

Instagram: @alexandraskevingtonmusic

YouTube: youtube.com/@alexandraskevingtonmusic

Facebook: facebook.com/alexandra.skevington

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