Hello all! My name is Justin Crenshaw, head of Clever Composer. Sounds intrigue me, harmonies are fascinating, dissecting the components of a song is fun . . . and I love sharing my knowledge of music with others!
I began to really investigate music when I started playing trombone at the age of eleven. Trombone quickly became one of my strengths, and I eventually made the Mississippi All-State Lions Band, traveling to Hong Kong and Boston for the international parade marching competition (2005 and 2006). As for piano, I began to take lessons in my sophomore year of high school. Though I took only three years of lessons, I quickly bloomed as a pianist because of my obsession with the instrument, playing for even four or five hours a day at some times. Two of my years focused on the sonatas of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and perhaps even more of my time was used in learning difficult arrangements from the Final Fantasy video games. Singing has come naturally since I was about fifteen. I have sung in the Mississippi State University concert choir, chamber singers, and men's choir. I have also sung in the University of Kentucky men's choir. As for guitar, I am self-taught, and I am continuing to expand my knowledge about the instrument as I practice and study new techniques.
My music abilities grew exponentially once I began studying music in college. I received my B.M.E. from Mississippi State University in December 2010, and I earned my Master of Music (Composition) from the University of Kentucky in May 2013.
It was only several months ago that I discovered that I enjoyed giving private music lessons. Showing others how to perform effectively and teaching them some of the deeper aspects of music makes me feel like I have truly accomplished something. Indeed, I feel honored that I have been given the gift of music - honored that I have been given the opportunity to teach music to others. Needless to say, I plan on spreading this joy that is inside of me for the rest of my life.
Please feel free to contact me anytime. I would be more than happy to talk to you or communicate through email.
Sincerely,
Justin Crenshaw, The Clever Composer
I began to really investigate music when I started playing trombone at the age of eleven. Trombone quickly became one of my strengths, and I eventually made the Mississippi All-State Lions Band, traveling to Hong Kong and Boston for the international parade marching competition (2005 and 2006). As for piano, I began to take lessons in my sophomore year of high school. Though I took only three years of lessons, I quickly bloomed as a pianist because of my obsession with the instrument, playing for even four or five hours a day at some times. Two of my years focused on the sonatas of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and perhaps even more of my time was used in learning difficult arrangements from the Final Fantasy video games. Singing has come naturally since I was about fifteen. I have sung in the Mississippi State University concert choir, chamber singers, and men's choir. I have also sung in the University of Kentucky men's choir. As for guitar, I am self-taught, and I am continuing to expand my knowledge about the instrument as I practice and study new techniques.
My music abilities grew exponentially once I began studying music in college. I received my B.M.E. from Mississippi State University in December 2010, and I earned my Master of Music (Composition) from the University of Kentucky in May 2013.
It was only several months ago that I discovered that I enjoyed giving private music lessons. Showing others how to perform effectively and teaching them some of the deeper aspects of music makes me feel like I have truly accomplished something. Indeed, I feel honored that I have been given the gift of music - honored that I have been given the opportunity to teach music to others. Needless to say, I plan on spreading this joy that is inside of me for the rest of my life.
Please feel free to contact me anytime. I would be more than happy to talk to you or communicate through email.
Sincerely,
Justin Crenshaw, The Clever Composer
Curriculum Vitae
phone: 859-953-1547
website: http://clevercomposer.com/
Education and Honors
Winona High School - Graduated with honors
- GPA – 3.70
Mississippi State University - Fall 2006 – Fall 2010, Bachelors in Music Education (trombone)
- GPA – 3.75
- Member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, Phi Kappa Phi, and Kappa Delta Pi
- Received the Hal and Joyce Polk Music Education Scholarship for academic achievement (a minimum GPA of 3.0) and musical ability (as demonstrated by an audition)
- Received MSU Band scholarship
- Received MSU Concert Choir scholarship
- Received MSU Chamber Choir scholarship
University of Kentucky - Fall 2011 - May 2013, Master of Music (composition)
- GPA – 4.0
- Awarded half of tuition payment and additional stipend of approximately $5000 each school year for teacher assistant duties
Professional Experience
Band Director at Thomas Cardozo Middle School - Jackson, MS Aug 2016 - present
Assistant Leader of Worship, The Lexington Church - Lexington, KY Aug 2013 - July 2016
Private Music Teacher, Lexington, KY Mar 2013 - May 2016
Aural Theory Teacher Assistant, University of Kentucky Aug 2012 - Apr 2013
Written Music Theory Tutor, University of Kentucky Aug 2011 - Apr 2012
Student Teacher, Ridgeland High School - Ridgeland, MS Aug 2010 - Dec 2010
Recitals/Concerts
→ Senior piano recital (high school) – Spring 2006
- Mozart: piano sonata, K. 310
- Mozart: piano sonata, K. 331
→ Senior trombone recital (Mississippi State University) – 2/14/2010
- Benedetto Marcello: Sonata No. VI in G Major
- Ferdinand David: Concertino
- Arthur Pryor: Thoughts of Love
- Lawrence Borden: The Conditions of a Solitary Bird
- David Uber: Autumn Sketches
- Justin Crenshaw: Vivid Encounters (for six trombones)
→ T. S. Eliot lecture-recital (Mississippi State University) – 2/23/2010
- Benjamin Britten: Journey of the Magi
→ The Perfect Cheesecake, a concert featuring new music by Eric Jurgens and Justin Crenshaw (University of Kentucky) - 10/28/2012
- Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano
- A Mother's Love
- Legend of Clarinet 64
- A Drive on Sunnybrook
- Perseverance
- Sweet Spirit
→ Master Thesis Recital - 4/8/2013
- Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano
- The Wandering Fox
- The Monsoon Has Come
- Gradual and Alleluia
- Purple Enigma
- A Mother's Love
- Euphoria
- Tuba Island
- The Dorian Desert
- Crenshaw Family Suite: I. Sarah, the Sister of Contrasting Moods
Writing Experience
→ Composed 32 original works and only 6 have not been performed (Spring 2008 - present)
- 4 concert band
- 7 songs (one with jazz band)
- 5 piano solo
- 2 brass ensemble
- 1 trombone duet
- 1 trombone quartet
- 1 trombone sextet
- 1 trombone octet
- 1 brass trio with piano
- 1 tuba-euphonium quartet with piano and percussion
- 1 sonata for alto sax.
- 1 clarinet choir
- 1 oboe solo
- 1 woodwind quintet
- 1 piano quintet
- 1 string quartet
- 1 vibraphone with bass and drum set
- 1 xylophone solo
→ Commissioned to arrange fifteen minute production for Ridgeland High School show choir (Ridgeland, MS), including music for small band and SATB choir; completed Sep. 18, 2013 and performed on April 24, 2014
→ Commissioned to write ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas; featured in private performance for the Lexington Opera Society on Dec. 12, 2012
→ Studied composition for two years with Joseph Baber (Aug. 2011 - Apr. 2013)
→ Studied composition for two semesters with Dr. James Sobaskie (Spring 2009 and Summer 2010)
Published Works
published by PEL Music Publications:
→ “A Drive on Sunnybrook” - solo vibraphone with optional electric bass and drum set
→ “The Monsoon Has Come” - solo xylophone
→ “Prelude No. 1” - two trumpets, trombone, and piano
→ “Tuba Island” - tuba/euphonium quartet, piano, and percussion
→ "A Mother's Love" - eight trombones
→ "Down n' Dirty" - adapted for two tenor trombones AND alto saxophone and baritone saxophone
Extracurricular and Volunteer Experience
→ Plans bible talk lessons for the singles ministry of The Lexington Church
→ Serves the homeless at Phoenix Park in downtown Lexington on Tuesday evenings; plays trombone to provide music or serves food
→ Prepared sermons and preached on three different occasions - Dec. 29, 2013 at The Jackson Church (Jackson, MS), and Feb. 2, 2014 and June 29, 2014 at The Lexington Church
→ Played trombone in several holiday events at churches throughout Mississippi
→ Performed as Schroeder in the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Greenwood Little Theater (Greenwood, MS)
Interests
→ Learning new instruments
→ Spending time with family and friends
→ Writing and arranging music
→ Performing