Welcome to the Ensemble Composition Category – Exploring Ensemble Writing Together
Hello, and thanks for stopping by. I’m Trevor—a music teacher by profession, and an amateur composer. I’ve been teaching piano and theory for decades, and teaching online for over seven years now to students around the world. Recently, I’ve carved out a little time to revisit my old hobby: composing.
It’s not about making the perfect composition—honestly, I’m not sure such a thing exists—and I’m certainly not changing my teaching career to pursue composing professionally. It’s just about rediscovering something I love, something I had to set aside while building my teaching career, and seeing where it all leads.
One of the areas I’ve been curious about is writing for small groups of instruments—duets, trios, quartets, and other flexible ensemble setups. I haven’t really explored this before, but I think it’ll be a fun challenge. This space is where I’m starting from the ground up.
What This Category Is About
This part of the blog is where I document my journey into writing for ensembles. It’s not something I’ve focused on in the past, so I’m learning as I go—studying examples, experimenting with scoring, and figuring out how to make just a few instruments sound like a complete, expressive group.
Whether it’s a string trio, a wind quintet, or an unusual mix of instruments, I’ll be using this space to unpack what I’m learning about form, texture, and ensemble writing technique. I think this will be a fun new adventure.
Why Follow Along?
I’ve realized I’ve spent years overlooking ensembles—focusing more on solo piano or imagining full orchestral pieces. But small groups offer so much creative potential. There’s something intimate and intricate about writing for just a few instruments, and I’m starting to appreciate that more and more.
If you’re like me—coming at this from a teaching background, a composing hobby, or just sheer curiosity—this might be a great space for you to explore too. I’m not offering solutions or “correct” answers here, but I am offering a transparent look at the process I’m going through as I learn more about this topic myself.
What Kind of Posts to Expect
Here’s the kind of content you’ll find in this category:
- What Is an Ensemble Piece? – A look at how we define ensemble music and what kinds of groups it can include.
- Instrumentation Notes – Reflections on how instrument choices impact everything from range to texture to mood.
- Writing for Balance – Thoughts on dynamics, spacing, and interaction between voices in smaller groups.
- Exploring Duets, Trios, Quartets – Posts focused on writing for specific ensemble sizes.
Stick Around and Explore
Composing for smaller groups has opened up new questions for me—and maybe it will for you too. Feel free to explore more posts, take a few ideas, or just enjoy the journey. I’m glad you’re here.
Until next time,
Trevor
