Jesse Ayers (b.1951) has had his music performed across the United States, as well as in Europe, Japan, Russia and New Zealand, and has twice had his music selected by the International Society of Contemporary Music to represent the United States at the prestigious World Music Days festival (Slovenia 2003 and Warsaw 1992).

His most recent work, "Jericho," a large-scale surround-sound composition for wind orchestra, choir, and narrator, was recently performed in nine cities across the southern and mid-western United States by the Wind Symphony of Concordia University River Forest under the direction of Dr. Richard Fischer. It was premiered and recorded in 2005 by the Valparaiso Univerisity Chamber Concert Band under the baton of Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler.

Ayers' other surround-sound work for wind orchestra, "...and they gathered on Mount Carmel," has been performed by a number of collegiate symphonic bands and has also been recorded on CD by the same Valparaiso ensemble. His work for solo tuba and synthesized tape, "The Dancing King," has been performed on four continents and released on two CDs.

Dr. Ayers has been a guest composer on the campuses of California State University Bakersfield, Heidelberg College (Ohio), Valparaiso University (Indiana), Virginia Tech, and Carson-Newman College (Tennessee) and has held a fellowship at the Atlantic Center for the Arts. His music has also been performed at two International Tuba-Euphonium Conferences (Sapporo, Japan, and Lexington, KY), and an MENC national conference (New Orleans).

Elliot Schwartz writing in Perspectives of New Music says Ayers' music is "appealing in its virtuosity, playfulness, and drive." Percussive Notes says, "Give Jesse Ayers an A+ for imagination." CIDA News says, "The Ayers' piece...is particularly stirring, wonderfully transporting and imaginative." The Instrumentalist comments "this spirited composition sparkles," and Mark Nelson writing in TUBA Journal describes Ayers' music as having "intense rhythmic drive and beautiful melodic writing, sophisticated in texture and pleasurable to listen to."

Born in East Tennessee, Ayers began composing in high school. At age 17, he was invited by the legendary W. J. Julian to conduct his first piece for concert band with the University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble. Ayers earned the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Composition from the University of Tennessee where he studied composition with David Van Vactor, John Anthony Lennon, Guy Bachman, and Allen Johnson; choral conducting with Donald Neuen; and percussion with F. Michael Combs. He also holds the the Doctorate of Musical Arts in composition from the University of Kentucky where he studied composition with Joseph Baber and aural skills pedagogy from Kate Covington. In 1994, he was selected to be an Associate Artist at the Atlantic Center for the Arts under Master Artist Karel Husa. He has had master classes with composers Norman Dello Joio and Vaclav Nelhybel.

Ayers is currently a Professor of Music at Malone College where he received the 2001 Distinguished Faculty Award for Scholarship/Creative Expression. He has received 15 awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), and grants from Meet the Composer and the American Music Center.

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One of the highlights of my career has been the privilege of collaborating with Jesse Ayers on his compositions. Dr. Ayers has supervised the recordings of "Jericho," "...and they gathered on Mount Carmel," and "Rachel Weeping for Her Children," and with the Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band and me. Even without the Biblical elements, Dr. Ayers’ works are wonderful. But with the addition of the spiritual element, each piece has even deeper meaning and feeling. All of the works are extremely well-crafted by a composer who really knows and respects the concert band. His knowledge of and regard for this medium (and his willingness to ask questions and take suggestions) make him an outstanding leader in artistic band music writing.
--Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, conductor.
Past president, Indiana Music Educators Association

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Last night [in Little Rock], almost the entire audience was in tears after Jericho. They were deeply touched. Our students saw first hand what the piece and God's Word does to people. Last night was overwhelming!!! The host was so choked up she coouldn't talk to the audience. She was speechless and crying in front of the entire audience. She was really moved!
--Dr. Richard Fischer, conductor.
Clinician and adjudicator throughout North America

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I clicked on the excerpt for Jericho. When the music started to play through the speakers, I literally felt transformed. This piece is so powerful. It's engaging. Your language is compelling, unusual... It grasps me, but without engaging in any cliches. Within seconds, I found myself wanting to be sitting in the audience amongst the musicians to experience this powerful work. Jericho is a powerful work.
--Amy Scurria, composer

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Thanks for getting our new Guest Composer Series off to such a positive start. Literally, it was a “God send” that concluded our first concert, as the band surrounded the audience and we performed your "Fire of the Living God." As one band member stated, “In my 40 years of playing band music, that was the first time I ever saw a standing ovation at a band concert.” Wow, thanks for making it happen.
--Dr. Doug Davis, Chairperson, Deparment of Music
California State University Bakersfield

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I again want to thank you for your "Jericho" composition. Like so many others, we were both in tears at the end of the selection.
--Bill Lubben, Director of Music
Glendale Lutheran Church, Glendale, MO

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I am the English horn player in the CURF Wind Symphony and I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for composing Jericho...[it was] very touching and made me cry.
--Chelsea Marie Heap
Concordia University River Forest

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The Jericho piece that you performed brought the Old Testament story to life through music in a way that I have never experienced it before.
--Brian E. Runge, pastor
St. Mark Lutheran Church, Houston, TX

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The Ayers piece based on the story of Elijah's encounter with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is particularly stirring, wonderfully transporting and imaginative.
--Dr. Phil Norris
Christian Instrumentalists and Directors Association

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In the summer of 2000, I had the privilege of performing "...and they gathered on Mount Carmel" at the Lutheran Summer Music Festival in Valparaiso, Indiana under the direction of Dr. Jeff Doebler. It was an amazing experience. The power of the piece and the acoustics of the chapel came together to create a powerful experience that floored me.
--Anna Johnson, student

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What a spectacular piece! I especially enjoyed hearing your insights and purpose for this piece. This was definitely the highlight of my semester, thank you.
--Kimiko Bacon, student musician
Valparaiso University

Check out the artist's website:
http://jesseayers.com

Track List:
1. Jericho
2. The Incantations of the Prophets of Baal
3. The Prayer of Elijah
4. The Fire of the Living God
5. Rachel Weeping for Her Children: September 11, 2001

Other Genres:

• CLASSICAL: Contemporary
• CLASSICAL: Orchestral
• CHRISTIAN