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Mike Hyziak

Mike fully realized he wanted to be involved in music while taking his first music theory class during his junior year of high school. Excelling rather quickly, it became clear he had a natural understanding of music (theory & practices), thanks in part through the encouragements of his closest friends and teachers, and most importantly of his then recently-deceased grandfather, who also led a musically- involved life. Two big band compositions were created during his senior year (2001) and performed various times, including as part of a jazz ensemble competition held yearly at the Springville Pageant of Bands. That year, the DHS Jazz Ensemble took first place, after not having done so since 1995.

While at the State University of New York at Buffalo (2001-2005), Mike’s compositional skills and understanding of music theory soared even further, resulting in a massive body of original compositions that were performed and recorded by various groups. Some of these groups include: the UB Jazz Ensemble (“That’s Okay- We’ll Meet Again”, “Pergola”), the UB Jazz Octet (“I Dig That Bossa”, “Centerport”, “Go That Way”), and the UB Symphony Orchestra (“Smoke-Filled Bar”). Through the generous support from the UB Concert Band director Jon Nelson, Mike’s music traveled out of the limits of Buffalo, and into the realm of Fredonia, where director Raymond Stewart premiered some of his concert band compositions (“Heart of Darkness”, “The Electrically-Charged Samba in 5/2”) with much success, invoking a dialogue with jazz band director and baritone saxophonist Bruce Johnstone.

More original works were created during his first year as a graduate student at NYU (2005-current) (including “New Era” for the NYU Jazz Orchestra, “Greek Goddess” for jazz nonet, “Mighty Little Watchdog” for the NYU Latin Ensemble), but even more arranging projects were done as well- something pretty much non-existent from Mike’s repertoire while at UB. Some arrangements include: for the NYU Jazz Orchestra (“Gloria’s Step”, “The Street…Brought to You by the Letters D-A-V-E”, aka “Sesame St. Torture”, and “For Dave, Who is our Candyman”, aka “Pure Imagination Rip-off”.

During the summer, more arrangements were produced including a rediculous interpretation of Fred Rogers' "Won't You Be My Neighbor" now titled entitled "Mr. Rogers' Gonna Make You Work This Neighborhood". More "legit" arrangements include "Spain" for the Latin Ensemble, and of a Brazilian chorro entitled "Um a Zero" for the big band. The newest original composition done for the fall is the funky "Wheel of Wonder" for the big band, which consists of an infectious groove, counterpoint, and a free-wheeling (no pun intended) circus climax with Piccolo going crazy at the top of the band. This has garnered the most success so far, easily surpassing "New Era". Another arrangement, "Angel Eyes" set to a tango groove, is on its way for the spring, and even more originals are currently in the works as always.

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