The Music of Ryan Meeboer

WELCOME TO MY WEBSITE!

I am a Canadian composer/arranger and music educator.  Whether you are a music educator, a professional musician, or student, please listen out my pieces for concert band, jazz band, and small ensembles.

Also, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to find videos featuring score viewing with playback audio.

Thank you for visiting my site and I hope you enjoy checking out my music!

NEW CONCERT BAND FOR 2026

ATTACK OF THE DRONES – Grade Level: 0.5

In music, a drone is a repeated or sustained pitch that provides a harmonic foundation for melodies and harmonies to build around it. This definition describes this piece perfectly as the entire piece revolves around the aggressive drone introduced in the opening of the piece. This is full of energy and exciting parts for all players.

ECHOES IN THE TUNDRA – Grade Level: 0.5

Echoes in the Tundra was composed to paint a musical picture of someone trying to survive in a dark, vast, snowy plain. Much of the piece uses call and response to represent the echoes in this environment. It is a simple, yet catchy and repetitive piece, making it the perfect first choice for any beginning ensemble to learn and perform.

SERENITY – Grade Level: 0.5

Serenity is the perfect word to describe this lyrical piece: calm, peaceful and simple to perform. This selection was composed with the intention to introduce very beginning musicians to lyrical music and help them develop tone control and air support.

BENEATH THE GOLDEN SKY – Grade Level: 1

Beneath the Golden Sky is a lyrical song that allows an ensemble to develop its skills playing in 3/4 metre. Each part is given the opportunity to play melodic material at some point in the piece.

OF FATE AND FORTUNE – Grade Level: 1​

Of Fate and Fortune is a great piece to introduce beginning students to more challenging music. The music focuses on one theme that is manipulated to take on several forms throughout.

THE SPECTACLE – Grade Level: 1.5

The Spectacle is a fast and energetic piece composed to reflect the excitement of witnessing something astonishing or ‘spectacular’ for the first time. This feeling is carried from the opening measure until the final chord is struck.

STORM THE KEEP – Grade Level: 1.5​

​At First Light is a lyrical composition and is as calming as a morning sunrise. Written in AABA form, the piece evolves from a quiet and peaceful opening to an exuberant ending, as the sun fully illuminates the horizon.

VIDA DEL SOL – Grade Level: 1.5

Vida del Sol (Life of the Sun) is a straight ahead Latin chart with a catchy groove and interesting parts for all players. With lots of opportunity to work on both technical and jazz skills, young musicians will find this chart both fun and challenging to play. There are written out solos included for several parts.

CHINOOK WINDS – Grade Level 2

This lyrical piece was composed to reflect the open plains and nature of the Prairie province of Saskatchewan, Canada. The melodies are moving, singable and memorable with many sections featured at some point. There is an optional choir (SAB) part included which would enhance a performance combining the band with choir.

A. RIFT IN TIME – Grade Level: 2.5

The title, A Rift in Time, represents this piece perfectly, as it is a great way to introduce developing musicians to the 7/8 (2+2+3) metre, with the ‘rift’ being the extra beat in the ‘time’ signature to give the song the distinctive feel. Great rhythmic parts and memorable melodies are found throughout.

LUMINA CORDIS – Grade Level: 3

Lumina Cordis, latin for ‘Lights of the Heart’, is a title that reflects the joy and brightness of the piece. Composed using overture form, each section has elements that represent all the happy emotions one can experience. Every part is fun to play and there are plenty of solo opportunities throughout the piece for flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, baritone and more.

NEW JAZZ BAND FOR 2024

VIDA DEL SOL (Life of the Sun) – Grade Level: EASY​

Vida del Sol (Life of the Sun) is a straight ahead Latin chart with a catchy groove and interesting parts for all players.  With lots of opportunity to work on both technical and jazz skills, young musicians will find this chart both fun and challenging to play. There are written out solos included for Trumpet, Tenor Sax and Trombone.

FRIDAY NIGHT SWING – Grade Level: Easy​

This jump swing chart (a la Sing, Sing Sing) came into existence when a young drummer was being helped to learn the different swing beats often used in jazz music, many of which are used throughout this song. There are written out solos included for Tenor Sax and Trombone.

YOU ARE THE ONE – Grade Level: Easy​

Featuring a relaxed Latin style, this chart is scored to have fun parts for every section.  The main melody is based on a four note riff that you could literally sing the words ‘You are the one’ to every time you hear it. There are written out solos included for Trumpet and Trombone.

JUST CHILLIN’ – Grade Level: Easy-Medium

Just Chillin’ is a fun, laid back funk-rock chart with simple repetitive melodies and a catchy accompaniment. There are written out solos included for Alto Sax and Trumpet.

FLEXIBLE BAND SERIES

The following titles are available in FLEXIBLE BAND versions for use in classrooms with non-traditional instrumentation.  These pieces can be played with as little as five instruments up to a full band, including percussion.

Visit the CONCERT BAND section of this site to hear recordings of these pieces.

Grade 0.5

Grade 1.5

Grade 2