Some years ago, I decided to pursue composing music as a primary focus over being an instrumental performer. Last year, a unique opportunity popped up for me to produce a new album – Open Creek Chronicles – featuring my mandolin…

I still feel like I'm catching my breath after a rewarding trip to Seattle to observe the world premiere of my new suite for mandolin orchestra: The Trees Show Their Rings, The Animals Their Veins by the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra…

Many of the moments in a composer’s life these days involve tussling with notation software and enduring the bleet-blort playback of a laptop’s cheesy midi mockups. As a composer, you relish the promise of the sound inside your head one…

Just in time for the Classical Mandolin Society of America's 2025 annual gathering – this year in Portland – I've completed two new pieces for mandolin orchestra!

The Myth of a Rainy Night

Adapted from a piece that I wrote…

THE PROJECT

It’s a wee bit mind-boggling that two complete albums of my music are launching in the same week, making three for the year 2025!  It truly is harvest season. Launching this week on all your favorite download and…

Janus Guitar Duo is formed by Eastman graduates Tom Torrisi and Ken Luk, inspired by the Roman god Janus, who with two faces looks into the past and the future. Likewise, Janus Guitar Duo presents diverse programs featuring past…

Almost four decades ago, I spent a season of my youth in the Bridger-Teton National Forest working as a wilderness hunting guide.  I remember the patterns of birdcalls, the harmony of a flowing creek, the tempo of wind through the…

A couple of summers ago I had the pleasure of collaborating with the exciting Brazilian guitarist Alvaro Henrique to create a new solo guitar piece, Da Poeira da Terra (Of Earth's Dust).  Our mutual goal was to create a…

I'm grateful for many things. Including you. For being here. Reading my little message. I hope there's something meaningful here for you.

Over a decade ago, I set out to become a better composer. Starting part time. Little by little…

I didn't see this coming. On Monday, Mary suggested I send a thank you note to the talented artist Gillian Fink for her painting A Gnome's Window which hangs in my music studio. I sat down Monday night at the…

I've just returned from Rochester NY, where I attended the Classical Mandolin Society of America annual convention. For the first year, I had a vendor table where I offered sheet music for original works and arrangements for plucked strings.    I…

I'm writing fiction entitled Braids of Hireath based on an imaginary place called the Isle of Wynk.  The music is coming faster than the prose.  I've decided to start introducing the characters to you though video and music.  

Luke Receives…

I'm really excited about my collaboration with brilliant Brazilian guitarist Álvaro Henrique on a new solo guitar piece entitled Da Poeira da Terra.  I can't wait to share the video of his outstanding performance with you in the next…

As I've been writing for mandolin, guitar, and a mandolin orchestra, I've been collecting ideas.  Now that I've been writing for a while, I have quite a collection of tips and tricks for composers and players.  I've revisited the notes…

With the imminent release of my new recording Woodwind Impressions, I've done a major refresh of my composing website using the Bandzoogle platform.  I'm excited to explore the new features here that I'm hoping with help me better share…