“Music is the space between the notes,” Debussy said. Gordon R. Wallin has spent 40 years composing in that space: original music that connects with audiences and challenges performers, from concert halls to network television.
The listening room
Recordings from the catalog. Go ahead, press play.
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Scores to perform
Full scores and parts, published through J.W. Pepper
The J.W. Pepper catalog is being updated. Select scores are currently available, with the complete catalog planned for late 2026. Seeking a score J.W. Pepper doesn’t yet list? Contact Gordon directly.
“Beautiful music has the rare ability to dive into our souls — it’s this notion that inspires me to create original compositions that connect with audiences and challenge performers.”
Gordon R. Wallin — read his story
Index of works
Each entry lists forces, premiere, and program note. Recordings play in place.
Program Note
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[SCORE PREVIEW — sample pages PDF required]
His first instrument. Go ahead, play.
Three octaves, tuned and waiting — click or tap the keys
Celebrate America
The suite he has been writing his whole life
From mountain peaks to deep river valleys, small towns to bustling cities — an impressionistic suite encompassing the sights and sounds of a singular country and its people. Coast to coast, border to border, and beyond.
On film
Desert Moods — world premiere 2024, Southwest Symphony Orchestra, with film
Composer, educator, entrepreneur.
Gordon R. Wallin is a composer, former educator, and entrepreneur. A graduate of Roosevelt University and Governors State University, he spent thirty-seven years teaching music, mentoring thousands of students along the way.
His compositions have been performed by university, scholastic, and professional ensembles across the United States and Europe, and his music has reached millions of viewers on network television.
He has also led ensembles of his own, including the Metro Star Orchestra and the band The Right of Way.
He lives in the Chicago area and remains selectively active as a writer, arranger, and consultant.
The living score
Four decades, in movements
Chicago
Foundations
Bachelor of Arts, Roosevelt University. Master of Arts, Governors State University. Award recipient, The American Song Festival, 1970s.
37
Years the educator
Mentoring thousands of students and aspiring musicians — Worth School District 127, Illinois, and the School City of Hammond, Indiana.
1994
Retires from Worth School District 127
Closing a distinguished chapter in the classroom — and opening the next as composer and entrepreneur.
1995
Founds Oasis Productions
Releases several original works under the Oasis and Oakley Records labels.
1998
Founds That’s My America & Filmharmonic Concepts
Establishes the That’s My America corporation and Filmharmonic Concepts.
Stage & screen
ABC Nightline, 1981 · ABC’s “Cupid,” 1998 · “We Believe,” 2009 · Chicago Tribune Media Group, 2024
A television acting debut at the piano — and music reaching millions on the Golf Channel, Hearst Television, and NBC Sports Regional Networks.
Little-known fact
Gordon was also a working journalist — covering the Chicago White Sox beat at spring training for a number of years for WDND 105.5 FM.
19992003
Skiball — two premieres
DePaul University premieres the orchestral setting in 1999; the University of Illinois premieres the band setting at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in 2003.
2005
Velvet Wave at GMEA
The St. Johns River City Band of Jacksonville, Florida premieres the big-band original at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference.
2012
Retires from the School City of Hammond
Concluding thirty-seven years in music education across Illinois and Indiana.
2014
Skiball at Iowa
The University of Iowa performs “Skiball” for band.
2016
Velvet Wave — the ballet
“Velvet Wave” is staged as a ballet in Orlando, Florida, featuring vocalist Mandi Jacobs.
2022
Celebrate America — the sessions
Michael Davis conducts recording sessions for Celebrate America at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.
2024
Desert Moods, with film
The Southwest Symphony Orchestra premieres the first movement of Celebrate America under David L. Crane, performed with an accompanying film.
Watch the film →
2025 —
Still unfolding
The Bonita Springs Concert Band premieres “Velvet Wave” for concert band in April 2025. The Celebrate America suite is recorded, and Mr. Wallin remains selectively active — writing, arranging, and consulting across the United States and Europe.
The archive
Photographs and programs from throughout his four-decade career
Performed & premiered by
University of Illinois · University of Iowa · DePaul University · Italian Army Music Band · Marian Catholic High School · St. Johns River City Band · Southwest Symphony Orchestra · Bonita Springs Concert Band · Downers Grove North High School · Naperville Municipal Band · University of Evansville
Heard on
Golf Channel · NBC Sports Regional Networks · Hearst Television
Seen on
ABC’s “Cupid” (1998) · ABC Nightline (1981) · Chicago Tribune Media Group (2024) · Credited in “We Believe,” the Chicago Cubs documentary (2009)
For conductors & directors
Program notes, premiere history, and instrumentation for every work — with performance materials on request.
Request Performance Materials →
For educators & performers
Full scores and parts through J.W. Pepper; licensing for media and broadcast by correspondence.
For commissions
Mr. Wallin remains selectively available as a writer, arranger, and consultant across the United States and Europe.
Begin a Conversation →
“Feel free to browse my catalogue, and let’s collaborate.”
Commissions, arrangements, licensing, and consultation. Correspondence is welcomed and personally read.
