Timothy Mainland

TANGO WALTZ Tango-Waltz is a piano piece written specifically for Dr. Jane Smith who was interested in doing programs of dance music, specifically tangos and waltzes. I decided to entertain her by writing a piece that was both, and found myself intrigued by the syncopations and cross-rhythms that were possible when these two metric traditions are combined. CHICKORY BLOSSOM Chicory Blossom is one of several pieces for classical banjo - a little known musical art form - written for members of the American Banjo Fraternity. This piece has been performed several times at ABF rallies and has been published in their journal "The Five-Stringer". Classic banjo requires the use of gut (nowadays nylon) strings much like classical guitar. The larger part of this repertoire dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was written by composers who specialized in banjo, mandolin and guitar music. The style disappeared for the most part after the Great Depression, but had a tremendous influence on the early Bluegrass performers and a substantial influence on early jazz.

Timothy L. Mainland (b. 1950, California) has taught Music Theory and Composition at Concord College since 1978. He came there directly after finishing his doctorate in composition at the University of Cincinnati, College - Conservatory of Music. Previously he complete a BA and an MA in Theory/Composition at the University of California at Santa Barbara. His teachers included Stanley Krebs, Peter Racine Fricker, Scott Huston, and Lukas Foss. Having grown up in the popular "folk revival" of the 1960s he has always had a fondness for the 5-string banjo. Since the early '90s he has composed and published works for classical banjo - a little known art form - and been involved with the American Banjo Fraternity. These works have had some success nationally. Other works, such as the Tango Waltz for piano show the influence of this American idiom. He has written over 200 works for various musical media, including symphonies, solo instrumental works, opera, and chamber music. He is currently pursuing studies in computer music and music technology at New York University during their summer terms.