Charles Booker & Roger Cichy: Glorious Journey
Group Name U.S. Air Force, American Band, Univ. Memphis, Univ. Central Arkansas & Friends Univ. Wind Ensembles
Conductor Lt. Col. Steve Grimo; Brian Cardany; Albert Nguyen; Ricky Brooks
Guest Artists John Taylor; Lt. Col. Steve Grimo
Event Composer Series
Album ID - 50905-MCD

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Track TITLE Composer/Arranger
1 The Rough Rider: Life and Times of Theodore Roosevelt Booker, Charles
2 Beachscapes: I. Nauset (Cape Cod, Massachusetts) Cichy, Roger
3 Beachscapes: II. Rocky Neck (East Lyme, Connecticut) Cichy, Roger
4 Beachscapes: III. Scarborough (Narragansett, Rhode Island) Cichy, Roger
5 Lament Booker, Charles
6 Exuberance Fantastique Cichy, Roger
7 On Wind & Sails Cichy, Roger
8 Glorious Journey Booker, Charles
9 Barefeet: I. Feet First Cichy, Roger
10 Barefeet: II. Foot Rest Cichy, Roger
11 Barefeet: III. Hangin’ Ten Cichy, Roger
12 Pathways Booker, Charles
13 Amazing Grace Cichy, Roger
14 American Dances: I. La Bossa Booker, Charles

ALBUM NOTES
Roger Cichy is a world-class composer whose music has been published for more than 25 years. With more than 300 compositions and arrangements to his name, he is known for taking intangible experience and emotions, and turning them into memorable musical works. For example, Cichy’s compositions may portray the growing momentum of daybreak, the graceful movement of a sand dune or the chaotic, out-of-control nature of pandemonium. Some of his work describes the discovery of the Titanic, the honor and pride of the U.S. Air Force Academy and the aweinspiring majesty of Pike’s Peak.

Signature elements of Roger’s award-winning music includes his unique use of rhythm and pronounced use of percussion. In many of his works, Cichy employs what he calls “compelling rhythms”, which drive his melodies forward. Of note is his appreciation for percussion’s unlimited sounds and timbres. His work is further defined by his fondness for jazz rhythms, liberal use of strong countermelodies, and thick harmonic texture.

Roger’s compositions have been published by a number of publishers including his own company, Sonic Soundscape Productions. He has received numerous composition awards from The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for serious music and is a member of the Recording Academy.

Today, Roger is a widely sought after composer for commissions, writing for professional orchestras, university and professional bands and the commercial music industry. He frequently appears as a composer in-residence and guest conductor.


Charles Booker is Associate Professor of Theory and Composition at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. Mr. Booker, a former U.S. Army Bandmaster, studied composition with Hank Levy (composer/arranger for Stan Kenton), Dr. Steve Strunk and Dr. James Balentine, and conducting with Dr. Robert Garofalo and Dr. Robert Rustowicz.

Mr. Booker has over forty published compositions and arrangements. His music is published by Alfred, Kendor, Southern Music Company, Wingert-Jones, Print Music Source, and Booker Music, and has been performed internationally by schools, universities and professional bands that include the U.S. Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”), the U.S. Army Field Band, the U.S. Military Academy Band (West Point), the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America and the U.S. Air Force Academy Band.

Charles Booker has been recognized by the Mayor of Fort Smith (the 2006 “Mayor’s Honors to the Visual and performing Arts”), the North Side Independent School District of San Antonio, Texas (the 2008 “Pillars of Character Award”) and received the Arkansas Arts Council Award in music composition for 2009. Mr. Booker is past president of the Arkansas Chapter of College Band Directors National Association, past president of the Arkansas Chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators, a member of the National Band Association, Texas Bandmaster Association and is past president of the Arkansas Bandmaster Association. Mr. Booker is also a member of the Arkansas Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi, and honorary music fraternity Pi Kappa Lambda.

In 2007, the New Mexico State University Symphonic Winds released a CD entitled “Centra-fuge: The Music of Charles L. Booker, Jr. and in 2008, Mr. Booker released his second CD “American Jubilee”. Booker’s CD “Times Remembered” was released July 30, 2009, and his CD, “Radiant Blues,” was released in July 2011. All CDs are available for purchase through Mark Records, Amazon.com and through Mr. Booker’s own website.