The Music of Charles Booker
About
Charles Booker (b. 1952) is a former U.S. Army Bandmaster, and former Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith where he served as Director of Jazz Studies, Director of Bands, and Chair of the Music Department. During his tenure at UA Fort Smith he taught trumpet, band, jazz band, conducting, music theory, orchestration and composition.
Featured Works
American Curtain Time!
This medley contains four classic works by the exceptional American composer and songwriter, George Gershwin.
Joan of Arc Concerto for Flute and Wind Ensemble
The Concerto has three separate movements. Thematic material is derived from the French composer Guillaurme Dufay. The first movement begins with all instruments in unison performing L’homme arme’. The Second Movement begins with permutations of Dufay’s Iste Confessor. The third movement begins with a cadenza and a processional to the end.
Suite of African American Spirituals
Suite of African American Spirituals was arranged in the winter of 2017-2018 and is comprised of the following Spirituals: "Every Time I Feel the Spirit," "Deep River", "Down by the Riverside", and "Swing Low."
Audio Recordings
The music of Charles Booker is available on multiple CDs through both Amazon and Mark Records.
Radiant Blues
Composed in the fall of 2007 for orchestra and later wind ensemble, the concerto was commissioned by and dedicated to Dr. Jackie Lamar, professor of saxophone at the University of Central Arkansas.
Times Remembered
Composed in the spring of 2009, this ballad for band was composed in honor of the first two band directors at Ramsey Junior High School, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
American Jubilee
Composed in the summer and fall of 2005 for the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble of Linwood, New Jersey, American Jubilee is a short concert overture for band in ABA form.
Centra-Fuge
Centra-fuge was commissioned by the University of Central Arkansas Music Department for the UCA Wind Ensemble.
Latest News
Keynote Speaker at ACB
Excited to announce I will be the keynote Speaker at next year’s Association of Concert Bands Convention in Fort Smith, Arkansas!