Music
Purchase Bill’s Music and Books here
Click for Bill’s Complete Catalog of Works
Catalog
“Music is tones organized to tell human stories. The one truth I've found is, my music, my art never fails me. All else falls by the wayside, but the music as truth always stands. If you serve the art, it will always serve as your truth, a bulwark against chaos,” - B. Banfield
Bill Banfield discusses his Symphony 6.
Bill Banfield’s “Hope Symphony no. 9”.
13 Symphonies
8 Operas
7 Concerti
2 Ballet
17 Choral works
30+ Big Band scores
25 Chamber Concert works
40 +Original popular/ jazz songs
60 Opera arias
Banfield’s music is published by B Magic Music Publishing
Bill Banfield’s Extended Family
Music from Bill Banfield's amazing and talented friends that you should check out!
Composition Catalogue of Dr. William Banfield
13 Symphonies
8 Operas
7 Concerti
2 Ballet
17 Choral Works
30+ Big Band Scores
25 Chamber Concert Works
40 +Original Popular/Jazz Songs
60 Opera Arias
225 ORIGINAL WORKS
Symphonies
Symphony no. 1 (1990) Brevities Of Experience
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Savannah Symphony Orchestra, Utah Philharmonia
Symphony no. 2 (1992) Dream Realized Nightmare Resolved
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Utah Symphony, University of Utah Symphony
Symphony no. 3 (1992) Jobs Song
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Plymouth Music Series, Minneapolis
Symphony no. 4 (1994) Streams of Consciousness
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Minnesota Symphonia,
Atlanta Symphony, Sacramento Symphony
Symphony no. 5 (1995) Five Shades Of A Woman Dressed in Black
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by University of Michigan Orchestra
Symphony no. 6 (1996) Four Songs For Five American Voices
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Akron Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Dallas Symphony, National Symphony, Toledo Symphony,,University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, Vocal Essence Orchestra (Minneapolis), Indiana University Symphony Orchestra
Symphony no. 7 (1997) Reveries, Summers Circle
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Plymouth Music Series, Minnesota
Symphony no. 8 (1999) Triumph and Trial
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by New England Conservatory
Symphony no. 9 (2004) Hope
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana
Symphony no. 10 (2011) Affirmations
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by National Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Sphinx Orchestra
Symphony no. 11 (2013) Songs, Stories (Suite of Songs For Brass Symphony and Voices)
William Banfield, poetry Mari Evans, Yusef Komanyaaka
Yolanda Williams, soprano soloist
Commissioned, performed by Peace Symphony, commissioned by Kenny Burrell, performed/recorded by UCLA symphony (2014)
Symphony no. 12 I Trust Harlem (Choral Symphony)
Commissioned by Philip Brunelle
Premiered Feb. 2018
Symphony no. 13 SHINE (Vocal symphony for choir, soloists and chamber symphony)
Text by Abria Smith, W.Banfield
Commission by NANM, premiered Chicago, 2019
Orchestral Essays
Essay For Orchestra (1994)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Detroit Symphony, Chicago Symphonia, University of Michigan Symphony, UCLA Symphony Orchestra
The Seed Fanfare For Wind Symphony (1998)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by University of St. Thomas Wind Orchestra
St. Paul Crossing (1998) For Marching Band
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by University of Minnesota Marching and Wind Bands
Revolution For Orchestra (1992)
Baraka Chamber Symphony (1994)
It's All Good My Brother (2006)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Hamilton College
All We Need Is Peace(2011) Orchestra
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Kenny Burrel and University of Los Angeles Symphony
Mahalia for Wind Symphony
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by University of St. Thomas Wind Symphony
Symphonic Concerti
96/66 Concerto For Guitar 1 (1983)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Detroit Metropolitan Orchestra
Jenny Guitar Concerto 2 (1988)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Detroit Metropolitan Orchestra
Moods and Colors (1991)Trombone Concerto
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by;) University f Michigan Chamber
Primal Instincts (1995) Percussion Concerto
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Butler University Symphony, Roanoke Symphony, Tufts University Symphony Orchestra
Delancey Street Tuba Concerto (1994)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Eastern Music Festival Orchestra
Structures in Soul and Sound (2003) Concerto For Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Mobile Symphony, Berklee College Orchestra
No More Mirrors in My Nanas House (1999) Piano Concerto
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Grand Rapids Symphony, New York Virtuoso Orchestra
Operas
Momma Why (1988)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by University of Michigan
Fishermans Dock (1995)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by;) University of St. Thomas
Eyes (1995) A Musical
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Indianapolis
The Cat Who Walked By Himself (1999)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Minnesota Opera
Luyala (2000)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Duke University, Triangle Opera
Soul Gone Home (2001)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Mallarme Chamber Players
Edmonia (2002)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Toni Morrison, Princeton University
Gertrude Invents A Jump (2004)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Encompass Opera Theater, New York
Edmonia (2024, 25, 26)
Choir
You Can Tell The World (1995)
Visions Sacred Cantata (1986)
A Prayer (Song For Our Time) (1999)
A Dease Tea (1998)
Let My People Go (1994)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Indianapolis Symphony
For Choir and Orchestra
Amazing Grace
Spiritual Anthem (1985) Choir and Piano
Lord Guide Us Through The Years (1985)
Steadfast Love (1986) for Piano, Male Choir, piano, Strings
Did You Say for piano/voice
Brotherhood (1991) for voices
3 Short Prayers (1993) For Choir and Piano
Life Suite: Cantata For Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble( 1996)
Deep Rivers (2003) For Choir, Flute
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Dale Warland Singers (Minneapolis), Plymouth Music Series
Joy Always Joy (2006)
If You're Out There (2010)
Love Says (2010)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Boston Childrens Choirs
Art Songs
The Prophetess (1988)
All I Gotta Do (1988) for voice and piano
Harp Song (1989)
Spirit Songs for cello and tenor (1990)
The Prophetess (1992) for voice and piano
A Question Mark And A Word Attached How (1995)
Suitcase Song (2001)
It's All Good My Brother (2005)
Soul Crawl (2013)
Stand By Me (arr. spiritual)
When The Notes Come
Sentirenla
Jazz Chamber Works
Marsheila (1980)
Brooke (1985)
Gibb it! (1981)
Free Blues Suite (2004) for chamber jazz ensemble
Losing Absolom (2001) for strings, piano
Last Night She Had a Real Good Dream (1990)
Amazing Love (1995) for chamber and voices
Concert Chamber Works
Four Persons (1989) for piano, oboe, bassoon, clarinet
Suite For Richard Piano Trumpet (1990)
Dance Like Wind (1995) for woodwind quintet
Two Tall Tales (1992) for solo bassoon
Six Pulses (1995) for soprano and clarinet
WaggusyDuke for solo piano
Mead 28 (1989) for solo piano
Zola Chamber Suite (1988)
Derwin E Six Minutes (1982) for string quartet (#1)
El Dia De Deber String Quartet 2 (1984)
Cone Tone String Quartet 3 (1987)
ARBRD lament For A Lost Love (1987) for solo harp
Suite For Susan String Quartet 4 (1988)
Summer Lies (1989) piano / violin duet
Can We All Get Along (1992)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Thamyris Chamber, Atlanta, University of Texas, Austin
Reflections On William Grant Stills Deserted Plantation (1994)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Detroit Civic Brass Quintet
for piano, flute, clarinet, sac, percussion
It's All Good My Brother (2005)
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Hamilton College
Re-do for piano and violin
We Think Therefore We Are (2000) for brass ensemble
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by University of St. Thomas
People Stories (2000) for double brass choirs
Work commissioned, performed, recorded by Minnesota Orchestra
Peace Symphony (2011)
Work commissioned by Kenny Burrell
Ballet, commissioned by Gaspard Louis
Premiered, Raleigh Durham, 2016
Tota Pulchra
Original Big Band Works
Bill’s Blue
Losing Absolom
And What Would You Like To Hear Little Lady (1994)
I Remember, Then...
Joe Chose Slow Woes Blues
My Thanks To George
Wife's Comment
Soul Gone Home
Edmonia
Reflecting Spiritual
Her Embrace
Leo's Lament
Just A Note From Sam
Dead Loch Blues
A Prayer
Bobby's Mood
Lisa
Free Me
Money Funny
Joes Blues
Jazz Urbane Recorded Songs
Solider of Love
Unmistakeable You
I'm Ready
Baby You
Are You Thinking Bout Me ?
Review the Evidence
When She's Gone
Your Love For Me
Pleasing thought
Love Forever
Your Heart and Mine
Voice Inside My Head
Happy
Words Linger
Swine house Blues
Perfume in Her Mind
Are You Thinking’ bout Me
When She’s Gone
Sleeping Beauty
Baby Why Not Me?
With A Blues Note In Our Heads
We Always Love What We Can't Have
Blues Meditation In A Swine Yard
Perfume In Her Mind
Unmistakably You
Recorded Cd's
Symphony, chamber:
Extensions of the Tradiotion (Innova)
Symphony 6 (TelArc) 1996
Dance like the wind (Clarion) 2004
Essay for orchestra (Cedelle) 2006
Soul Gone Home (Albany) 2010
Jazz:
Jazz chamber (Innova) 1996
Striking Balance (Innova) 2004
AB2 (Albany) 2005
Spring Forward (Innova) 2009
Playing With Other People's Heads
JU2 Bluesnotes in Our Heads
Imagine That
SUGO music group/Jazz Urbane 2014
Composering: Symphonic and Chorale Works of William Banfield, JazzUrbane/ SUGO music group (2015)
Books Published by Banfield
Musical Landscapes in Color: Conversations with Black American Composers (2000), Scarecrow Press
Black Notes: Essays of a Musician Writing in a Post-Album Age (2004)
Cultural Codes: Makings of a Black Music Philosophy (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage) (2010)
Ernie Isley (2017)
Critical Dialogues Ornette, Gunther, Ysaye, Lalah, Grace, Kenny Burrell, Fred Taylor, Bob Blumenthal, Tuck and Patty, Eric Jackson, Charles Wilson, .. (2017)
Cedric, The Novel (2022)
Musical Landscapes in Color: Conversations with Black American Composers (2022), Illinois Press
Cultural Throughlines (2022), Smithsonian Press