The Freeloader for guitar quartet

a peculiar stranger This piece is essentially “Alex discovers the octatonic scale and 7/8 time”. The first idea I sketched out for it was the ostinato that begins the fast 7/8 section. I began composing this piece in my last year studying at SUNY Fredonia, and I had no particular inspiration that I was drawing upon at first. Until... I encountered a certain individual. In the fall semester of my senior year, I had to take HIST 101 World History I. It was the last gen ed course I needed for my degree. I was not thrilled about taking it. My lack of investment in the class was due in no small part to the professor's droll, scripted, overly formal lecture style that left no room for students to engage. There was a student in this class. I never spoke to him, I never learned his name, and I knew nothing about him other than what I witnessed from him. He would frequently stroll into class 15 minutes late, prop his longboard up against the wall, and sit in the closest empty seat he could find