For large brass ensemble and percussion. Inspired by the creation of humanity in Genesis.

Three lessons from Luke 15:11-32.

Dedicated to Jesse Ratcliffe, Music Director and Organist, All Saints Episcopal Church, Frederick, Maryland

This is a theme and variation on the hymn tune DUNLAPS CREEK. It is appropriate as a brass offertory for which it was written and premiered.

The opening motives are transformed throughout the piece. They begin rather seriously but are eventually stated with joy and exuberance.

Dedicated to the Key City Brass. Give a listen to Vivaldi’s “Gloria”, Liszt’s “Liebestraum, No. 3”, and Fauré’s “Requiem” and you will understand the titles of the movements.

For two trumpets. Commissioned by Dr. David Amlung for the Centennial Celebration of McMurry University, 2023.

This piece is dedicated to Alex Carpenter and Bill Harden. It is subtitled “Sketches of Jazz”.

This piece is subtitled “Sketches of Jazz” and is dedicated to my colleagues Alex Carpenter and Bill Harden.

This piece expresses all the emotions associated with being restless: anxious, sleepless, concern, and worry.

For the Key City Brass.

For flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon. Based on a newly composed folksong that shares many traits with traditional European folksongs. This piece is also arranged for string quartet.

Variations on “Doncaster” by S.S. Wesley for chamber ensemble. The chamber version was commissioned by Dr. David Amlung for the Centennial Celebration of McMurry University, 2023.

This piece was commissioned by Dr. David Amlung and premiered by the ACU wind ensemble, it is part of the Consortium Commissioning Project sponsored by ACU, HSU, McMurry, and Eastern New Mexico University. This version is for purchase for those that seek to enter the Consortium.

This work was commissioned by Jay Lester for the Lone Star State Trumpet Guild for their performance at TMEA in February, 2022.

Communion hymn meditation.

This piece is commissioned by and dedicated to the Key City Winds. This piece was inspired by the words and sentiments of the “I Have a Dream” speech given by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.  May the issue of racial differences never be used to divide America. May the peace of Christ unite us all.

Commissioned by and Dedicated to David Amlung in honor of his father

Commissioned by and Dedicated to John E. Kennedy, Professor of Fine Arts, South Plains College, Levelland, Texas

Commissioned by and Dedicated to the Altus Trumpet Ensemble.

Commissioned by and Dedicated to Lawson Hager.

For Susie Rockett.

For Lawson Hager and the Horn Studio at Hardin-Simmons University.

Originally for horn quartet.

Commissioned by Dr. Janelle Ott, Instructor of Bassoon, HSU.

This piece was commissioned by members of the Lone Star State Trumpet Guild for their upcoming performance at the 2019 TMEA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Commissioned by Dr. David Amlung and Dr. Juan Mendoza

Arranged for string quartet, originally for piano.

Please contact Bernard Scherr for score use for performance.

Arranged for string quartet, originally for piano.

Please contact Bernard Scherr for score use for performance.

for woodwind quintet, brass quintet, string quartet, piano, percussion, and electronics. The version without electronics can be purchased on the webstore.

This piece evokes images of an ancient battle field, long silent, upon which the echoes of the  combatants still linger.

For the Key City Winds.

This piece is dedicated to all of the wonderful musicians that have either recently passed away or are no longer teaching at HSU. The music traces their emotional state of hearing bad news and their struggle with the life decisions that followed this news.

This piece was requested by Dr. Charlie Coltman for the Abilene Chamber Players for a special concert featuring Hardin-Simmons University Composers. The concert was in the fall of 2015. I have wanted to compose a piece based on the time Frodo and Sam entered Shelob’s tunnel to their leaving the Tower of Cirith Ungol. I also wanted to work with my colleagues, Steve Neves and Mike Jones, on creating drawings that focused on 10 scenes from this story arc. The performance included a film of their art that was coordinated with the music. Anyone familiar with Tolkien’s masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, will know that this episode is perhaps the most frightening and perilous part of his epic story. If not for the heroic bravery of Sam, the quest to destroy the Ring would have failed. The music and artwork, in many ways, are in homage to him.

Commissioned by and dedicated to Dr. Karla Ordoñez. This piece was inspired by the tragic memories of the remnant of the Noldor still living in Middle-earth in the Third Age who remember the kin-strife caused by the Oath of Fëanor.

Commissioned by Dr. Robert Tucker. This piece was inspired by the grey skies that haunted Sam and Frodo as they struggled in their journey towards Mordor.  They were single-minded in their dedicated to completing what seemed and felt like an impossible task. They overcame their fear and constantly moved forward toward their goal, whatever end that would be.

This piece is inspired by the beautiful tales found in The Silmarillion, and was composed and premiered by the Key City Brass Quintet.

for brass quartet/quintet (horn/trombone)

This piece was composed as an example to be used in my “Composing with Pro Tools and Reason” class. It’s a funny little tune imitating a live performance. The class and I are both audience and performers.

This piece was inspired by the terribly hot summer of 2010. It was composed for and premiered by the Key City Brass Quintet.

This piece was commissioned by Dr. Kay Williams and Dr. Pauline Bjorem. They were on the piano faculty at Abilene Christian University. This piece contains a number of jazz idioms, such as rag-time rhythms and extended seventh-chords.

This piece was written at the request of my “lunch buddies” for the woodwind faculty at Hardin-Simmons University. 

This piece was a commission by Dr. Lisa McArthur, Professor of Music at Campbellsville University.

This piece was a commission by Dr. John Irish, Professor of Trumpet at Angelo State University.

This piece was commissioned by the late Dr. Mark Wilcox, former Assistant Professor of High Brass, McMurry University.

These pieces are published by Cherry Classics and can be purchased at: https://cherryclassics.com/collections/vendors?q=Scherr

This piece was written for the Key City Brass Quintet. 

This work was inspired by the paintings of Joao de Brito and the brilliant piano playing of Joao Bettencourt da Camara. Senor da Camara has performed these pieces in the US and the UK.

This piece was commissioned by Dr. Charles Coltman, Professor of Woodwinds, Hardin-Simmons University.

This piece was commissioned by Keith Lloyd, Instructor of Percussion and Music History, McMurry University.

This piece was a commission by Dr. Peter Neubert, Visiting Assistant Professor of Viola at Hardin-Simmons University.

This piece was written for Dr. Mark Wilcox and Dr. Bernard Scherr.

This piece was written for and premiered by the Key City Brass Quintet.

This piece was commissioned by Dr. Kristin Isaacson, Assistant Professor of Cello and String Bass, Hardin-Simmons University.

This piece was written for Dr. Mark Wilcox, Assistant Professor of High Brass, McMurry University.

These arrangements were made for the celebration of the 50th wedding anniversary of Balzer and Blondina Scherr.

Selections of Music in Colors for piano arranged for string quartet.

This piece was commissioned by and is dedicated to Dr. Peter Neubert, former Visiting Instructor of Music, Hardin-Simmons University.

This piece was arranged for concert band which was premiered by the Hardin-Simmons University Concert Band under the direction of Dr. Wayne Dorothy.

Morning Whispers was inspired by the Debussy Trio and their readings of student compositions many years ago at the University of Oregon.

This piece was commissioned by Dr. Tido Janssen, former Associate Professor of Cello and String Bass, Hardin-Simmons University.

This piece was commissioned by Dr. Charles Coltman, Professor of Woodwinds, Hardin-Simmons University. This work has also been performed on numerous occasions by Dr. Thomas Josenhans.

This piece is an arrangement of Fanfare for Six Horns.

This piece was commissioned and premiered by the Abilene Chamber Players.

This piece was written for the horn studio of former Dean and Associate Professor of Horn, Lawson Hager, Hardin-Simmons University.

This work was commissioned by Hardin-Simmons University for the inauguration of its former president, Dr. Craig Turner.

This piece won the University of Oregon’s 125th Anniversary Composition Commission Competition. 

This piece was an assignment for my doctorate exams in composition. I enjoyed the result so much that I have added it to my oeuvre. It is a fun setting of an old English folksong.

This piece was premiered in Eugene, Oregon, in 1997.

This piece is dedicated to all those that pray the Divine Office.

This piece was premiered in Eugene, Oregon, in 1997. It had its Texas premiere Abilene in 2012.

This piece is a tribute to Gustav Mahler, one of my compositional heroes.

This piece cleverly combines quartal and quintal elements in a serial manner. It is arranged for the following groups:

Oboe, clarinet, bassoon

Oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet

Soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax

2 violins and cello

This piece was written for trumpet players in the studio of George Recker, my trumpet professor at the University of Oregon. It was premiered at the School of Music graduation ceremony in 1996.

This piece was premiered in Eugene, Oregon, in January of 1996.

These preludes are based on the plainchants listed below. Preludes 11 and 12 were commissioned by Dr. David Eaton, former Assistant Professor of Organ, Hardin-Simmons University. The complete collection is published by Zimbel Press: http://store.subitomusic.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2616

This work was inspired by my son when he was a toddler. It was also inspired by my love of the music of Ravel. It has a number of impressionist strands and requires virtuosic skill to perform it satisfactorily. It was premiered in Eugene, Oregon.

This piece was premiered in Eugene, Oregon. It is tonal, lyrical, and quite expressive.

The opening of this piece was written during a faculty meeting in which my mind was starting to drift. It is energetic, tonal, and, perhaps, a bit too Bach-like; but, I keep it in my oeuvre because it is so much fun. It awaits its premiere.

I wrote this piece for myself and the organist at my former parish church. We premiered it at an Easter Vigil service. I also performed it again in Eugene, Oregon. It is rhythmic, tonal, and stately.  

Like the name implies, a song for solo instrument and piano in the style of the Romantic era. It is one of the earliest complete pieces I have ever written.