Kevin Day (b. 1996) is an American composer who, as of this writing, is rising. Fast. REALLY fast. It is clear that it will be impossible to keep up with his flurry of activity, which already includes more than 100 compositions, numerous premieres and conference performances, several composer-in-residence positions, and doctoral studies at the University of Miami (on the heels of graduate study in composition and conducting at the University of Georgia), and a position as Assistant Professor of Composition at Wilfrid Laurier University. This is only the tip of the iceberg, and it is sure to increase by the time you’ve read this, so I refer you to his ever-changing bio at his website. Also check him out at the Gabriela Lena Frank Academy of Music, MCI Composers, Texas Christian University (his alma mater, class of ’19), the Wind Repertory Project, D Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, Everything Band Podcast, and the Band Room Podcast.

Day wrote Ember Skies in 2020. He describes it thusly: “Ember Skies is a Grade I composition for young band that depicts a red-orange-colored sky that awakens from the darkness of night, bringing forth the first light and signaling the start of a new day.” While it is a grade 1 piece for its technical requirements, some of the ensemble elements require some musical maturity, so I have also tagged it in grade 2. A performance:

See more about Ember Skies at Murphy Music Press, Yumpu (the perusal score), Day’s website, and the Wind Repertory Project.