J. Aaron Stanley - Curriculum Vitae

• M.M. in Music Composition from Southern Methodist University. (Spring 2021)
• Studied Composition with Dr. Robert Frank and Dr. Xi Wang.
• Took independent classical trumpet lessons with Adrian Griffin, author of the book From Buzz to Brilliance and principal trumpet of the Orquesta Sinfonica de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Monterrey, Mexico). (2016-2017)
• Participated in most of a year-long musical theater training program for composers, lyricists, and book writers with ANMT (Academy of New Musical Theater) in Los Angeles. (My move to Mexico interrupted the program.) (2012)
• Participated in Scott Smalley's Film Orchestration course (Los Angeles). (2011)
• Worked towards an (incomplete) M.M. in Music Composition at Missouri State University (formerly Southwest Missouri State University). (2000)
• Studied Composition with Dr. John Prescott and Dr. Michael Murray.
• B.M. in Trumpet Performance from Missouri State University (formerly Southwest Missouri State University). (1999)
• Studied Trumpet with Dr. Neil Seipp (Central Missouri State University), Michael Casey (MSU), and Dr. Grant Peters (MSU).

• 2024 - Commissioned by Jack Delaney of the SMU Meadows Wind Ensemble to compose an original work for wind ensemble. Work in progress.
• 2022 - My work for young band, Deep Space Voyage, won first place in the WASBE Third International Composition Contest for Category One (works for young band). Premiered in Prague, Czech Republic July 21, 2022.
• 2021 – Commissioned by Dr. William Haugeberg of the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley to create a version of Huapango de los Muertos for Solo Trombone and Trombone Choir. Premiered in 2022.
• 2020 – My work, Hullaballoo for Violin, Clarinet, Trumpet, and Piano, was selected for inclusion in the New Works Recital Series at the 2021 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Garden Grove, CA, June 1-5, 2021.
• 2020 – Huapango de los Muertos for Symphony Orchestra was selected as a finalist for the 2020 Reno Pops Orchestra Composer's Night Competition.
• 2020 – Moon Dances for Symphony Orchestra was selected as a semi-finalist in the Tampa Bay SO 5thAnnual Call for Scores Composition Competition.
• 2019 – Huapango de los Muertos for Symphony Orchestra was one of 17 finalists out of 131 entries into the Tampa Bay SO 4th Annual Call for Scores Composition Competition.
• 2019 – Selected as Composer in Residence for the Irving Symphony Orchestra (a professional orchestra in the DFW area) for the 2019-2020 season, which premiered my Huapango de los Muertos on February 22, 2020.
• 2020 – Waiting Room, a 1-Act Operetta, was workshopped by the SMU Voice Department, and slated for performance in April 2020, but the performance was canceled due to COVID-19.
• 2019 – Commissioned by Dr. William Haugeberg of the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley to compose Huapango de los Muertos for Trombone and String Quartet. Premiered at the 2019 International Trombone Festival, and slated for recording in 2021.
• 2018 – Commissioned by Dr. Cara Pollard of Texas Christian University to compose Metamorphosis: A Butterfly's Journey of Transformation for the Imbroglio Sextet. Recorded in Spain, August 2019, and awaiting premiere public performance.
• 2011 – Won the 2011 Cal-State Bakersfield Composition Competition for Heroes & Villains for Wind Ensemble. Performed by the Cal-State Bakersfield community concert band in Bakersfield, CA that same year.
• 2010 – Won the 2010 Penfield Music Commission Project Composition Contest for Heroes & Villains for Wind Ensemble. Premiered by the Penfield High School Wind Ensemble in Rochester, NY that same year.
• 2005 – Won "Best Arrangement" in the 2005 Northrop International Brass Band Composition Competition in the "Arrangement" category for Carol of the Bells for Brass Band. Received public performance.

• Active as a composer. Completed a Masters in Composition. Composed a number of original works, including commissioned works.
  
• Active as arranger, mostly for concert music and jazz. Wrote a number of arrangements for the SMU Meadows Wind Ensemble, among others.
  
• Active as a versatile freelance trumpet player (Jazz, Big Band, Top 40, Latin, Musical Theater, Church Orchestras, Classical, etc.), but now only gigging occasionally while focusing more on composing.
• Formerly active as a private lesson teacher, having taught trumpet in various school districts.

Monterrey, Mexico (2012-2013 / 2015-2017)

• Freelance trumpet player—mostly jazz but also classical, commercial, and various Latin styles. Played for many live events and recording sessions. 
• Highlights: Participated in several performances of Stravinski's Soldier's Tale. Performed as part of the trumpet section for the Orquesta Sinfonica de Yucatán, a professional orchestra in Mérida. Performed at various music festivals with my jazz ensembles, including a spot at the Monterrey Jazz Festival (Mexico, not the other one). Performed for the governor of the state of Nuevo León with my group, Mardi Gras Brass, playing my own arrangement, which I was hired to write for the occasion. 
• Founded MonteJAZZ Vintage Bands and formed a number of jazz ensembles: A Dixieland Band (The Dixie Cats), a 6-horn big band (The Swing Cats), a jazz combo (The Jazz Cats), a pop-jazz combo (Take Five Quintet), a swinging rock & roll band (The Rockin’ Rollers), a vintage-style pop band a la Postmodern Jukebox (Radio RE:Mix), and a second line brass band (Mardi Gras Brass)… all mostly with my own original arrangements.
• Extensive jazz arranging experience, while having my arrangements performed in live concerts and events.
• Conducted a short-lived big band for about 3 months, with weekly rehearsals.
• Taught occasional private trumpet lessons to those who approached me. 
• Learned Spanish. 

Life at Sea (2014)

• Served several contracts as a showband musician playing trumpet onboard Princess & Carnival Cruises. 
• Composed during my free time. 

​Los Angeles, CA (2001-2012)

• Freelance arranger and composer, and occasional performer.
• Composed several independent short films, coordinating and conducting the recording sessions, while working with local Hollywood professional musicians.
• Worked on several musical theater collaborations that ultimately fell apart, but provided valuable experience. Wrote many musical theater songs (specific to the project) that do not appear in my catalog nor list of works. 
• Composed for wind band, brass band, choir, and chamber ensembles. 
• Formed a British style brass band and a brass quintet.
• Worked for a period of time in non-musical jobs, such as: computer/network technician; bookkeeping; marketing & copywriting. These experiences not only made me more determined to make a career in music and to be more resilient, but taught me valuable skills I still use today. 

​Springfield, MO (1995-2000)

• Conducted the local Salvation Army Brass Band for one year.
• Taught private trumpet lessons for two years at Palen Music Center.
• Performed in the university Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Jazz Band, along with occasional freelance gigs.
• Began studying composition and composed a number of student-level works.