My latest orchestral work for grade 3 string orchestra - I wanted to invoke the majesty, movement, and variety of clouds in the sky through weaving melodies and changes in the orchestral texture. “Soaring Shadows” was selected as a winner for the 2nd annual SST Call for Scores, and the piece was premiered by the camp's Vivace Orchestra, under the baton of Dr. Colleen Ferguson from Texas A&M University.

Over nearly 50 years, JMU’s Spring String Thing has created an opportunity for middle and high school students to get experience playing in a large orchestral ensemble. In the past two years, director of JMU orchestras Dr. Kira Omelchenko has introduced a call for scores, allowing Virginia students from high school and college to submit short works for string orchestra.