054: Inspired Composition with Alex Guebert

In this episode, composer, percussionist, and handbell director Alex Guebert joins us to share his approach to composition and arranging. He discusses how his love of film scores, progressive rock, and percussive sounds influence his work, as well as the role of improvisation and audiation in his creative process. Alex offers insights on making hymn arrangements more engaging, incorporating composition into lessons, and encouraging students to explore harmonies. He also talks about directing advanced handbell ensembles and co-hosting A Moment of Bach, a podcast exploring the music of J.S. Bach.Alex shared his journey as a composer, percussionist, and church music director.How early exposure to piano, handbells, and a Yamaha synthesizer shaped his musical foundation.How playing by ear and experimenting with harmonies were key to his growth as a composer.His love for percussive sounds, film scores, and progressive rock, which influence his compositions.How improvisation and audiation (hearing music internally) enhance composition skills.Alex's approach to arranging hymns by modifying melody, harmony, and rhythm to create fresh interpretations.The importance of playing by ear and matching pitch as essential skills for young musicians.Using notation software like MuseScore for students and teachers exploring composition.Why handbells are a unique, team-based instrument great for music education.How conducting and arranging for handbells has been a major part of his career.His podcast, A Moment of Bach, where he and his twin brother analyze J.S. Bach’s music in depth.He encouraged teachers to integrate composition and arranging into lessons, making music more interactive and creative.Links MentionedA Moment of Bach PodcastAlex Guebert's handbell music published at Hope PublishingToday's GuestAlex Guebert is a composer, arranger, clinician, percussionist, and organist, and is the Director of Worship and Music at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange, CA. He directs three advanced-level handbell groups: Cathedral Bells (at St. John’s), Concert Handbells at Concordia University Irvine (as an adjunct faculty there), and Zenith (a summer-only 32-person ensemble made up of ringers from all around the world; co-directed by Matthew Compton.)Alex’s award-winning handbell compositions and arrangements have been published and performed nationwide and overseas. His compositional style is a result of his background as a percussionist, his love of film and video game score, and his desire to broaden the horizons of handbell repertoire. Alex holds an M.M. in Music Composition from Cal State Long Beach, where his graduate recital featured a 25-minute work for handbells, strings, and percussion.Alex lives in Orange with his wife Heather, who works for Orange County as a forensic scientist, and their two daughters, Emma Joy and Cora Noelle, who both share their dad’s love of music and their mother’s scientific curiosity about the world!About Rachel EhringDr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.Visit her website at RachelEhring.comVisit her Instagram page: @rachelehringVisit her YouTube channel: @dreamlavendermusic6694Visit her Etsy shop at Dream Lavender MusicThank you for tuning in!Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.TopMusicPro 14-Day Free TrialHeard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL