Instagram story viewer> @djsparr> Posts

D.J. Sparr

@djsparr

376

posts

1.3K

followers

2283

following

Composer/guitarist

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

🎺😂 “Yo Yo Ma Should Be Sad He Plays The Cello” — yes, that’s a real movement title. Yes, my narration is absolutely obnoxious. No, I have zero regrets. 😂😂😂Here’s what you need to know: in middle school, band had a star reward system. More songs = more stars. Except… nobody wrote tuba solos in bass clef for kids like me to learn from. The tuba was always in the back, always accompanying, never the star.So I asked my band director to arrange songs FOR ME. And then I played them. Loudly. All the time. Sometimes beatboxing. Creating my OWN style. Making it a whole entire spectacle every single time. 🎶🤣Because I needed everyone to know — I play tuba. And ANYTHING is Possible. Even the solos. Especially the solos.This excerpt from the world premiere at the National Orchestral Institute gives me pure joy every single time I hear it. 🎶💯This is exactly why I share my story.Gratitude always to my collaborators: composer D.J. Sparr, librettist Janine Joseph, producer Richard Scerbo, and shout-out to New Mexico and the School of Fine Arts at The University of New Mexico for the support. 🙏Is your orchestra looking for something that will move, surprise, and delight your audience? “I’m Possible” is ready for the 2026–27 season. 🎶 Tap the link in my bio to learn more — and while you’re there, support the next generation of young musicians through the Raw Tuba Foundation. 💛#ImPossible #YoYoMaShouldBeSaidHePlaysTheCello #RichardAntoineWhite #TubaLife #NationalOrchestralInstitute ChamberOrchestra NarratedOrchestra ClassicalMusic NewMusic OrchestraLife WorldPremiere LiveMusic Resilience MusicEducation Memoir RepresentationMatters BookNow 2026Season RawTubaFoundation LinkInBio UNMFineArts UNM by @djsparr

30

0

8 days ago

A moment from the "I'm Possible" workshop premiere at @noifestival. This is a work for narrator and orchestra based on the memoir by @raw_tuba, narrated here by the man himself, with libretto/poetry by @landscapewithj9. In this excerpt, a young Richard yearns to play "I Just Called to Say I Love You." Shoutout to Stevie Wonder for the inspiration!Designed so any narrator can bring the story to life, from Richard to a guest artist to a beloved local voice.#StevieWonder #IJustCalledToSayILoveYou #NewMusic #Orchestra #ContemporaryClassical #Tuba #ImPossible #ClassicalMusic #Composer #NOI #sparrmusic #rawtuba #djsparr by @djsparr

103

2

8 days ago

Photo compliments of @evanallanjones His odometer is playing music for him! Scale degree fun for Music Theory heads, IYKYK #odomusic #musictheory #scaledegrees #jamesbond #electricguitar by @djsparr

5

0

9 days ago

Soundcheck at Whittington-Pfohl, @brevardmusic. Zephyr ROARING Thunder with conductor Mark Spede is on July 21. BMC co-commission and part of Brevard's America 250 celebration. Electric guitar concerto meets Brevard Symphonic Winds. FREE concert, come on out!#djsparr #sparrmusic #brevardmusiccenter #zephyrroaringthunder #america250 #electricguitar #windensemble #newmusic #concerto #livemusic #freeconcert #composer #guitarist by @djsparr

17

0

12 days ago

I'M POSSIBLE (workshop premiere) for narrator and chamber orchestra was premiered last week at @noifestival. @landscapewithj9 's libretto (poetry!) is based on the memoir of @raw_tuba. Conducted expertly by @music_hayoung ! by @djsparr

63

1

21 days ago

Awesome to get a chance to catch up with @carlos_simon_music at @brevardmusic today. Go Blue! ( @umichcomposers ) by @djsparr

32

0

23 days ago

A glimpse into the I’M POSSIBLE workshops at @noifestival 🎼 Here is an excerpt from Richard’s memoir, on which this project is based: “People pay attention when you say, ‘I’m the first…’ […] In my case, I’m the first African American to earn a doctorate of music in tuba performance. And when I say that, people pay attention, and sometimes they assume that I’m a genius or that I’m special. Based on how my life began, I can see that my musical journey seems like a minor miracle, that even the fact of my survival is some kind of marvel. But the most miraculous part of my story is not me—it is the people who kept me from falling through the cracks, the people who saved my life. The people who cared enough to take me in, to teach me, to push me, to tell me something I wouldn’t have otherwise known, and to challenge me to be better. I’m no different from the next person, although I do possess a profound belief in what is possible and a deep gratitude for how I came to be here.” by @djsparr

33

0

a month ago

I'M POSSIBLE at @noifestival with @raw_tuba and @landscapewithj9 is on Friday June 26. See link for tickets #sparrmusic #djsparr by @djsparr

55

1

a month ago

On my way to NOI for my narrator and chamber orchestra piece. What better way to leave New Hampshire than to have lunch with the composer of the greatest work for narrator and orchestra: mentor and former teacher, Joseph Schwantner! by @djsparr

38

1

a month ago

The Walden School 2026 Creative Musicians Retreat is underway! #NewMusic #MusicComposition #YoungComposers #ContemporaryMusic #MusicEducation #SummerMusic #ComposersOfInstagram #MusicRetreat #DublinNH #NewHampshire #ImprovisationMusic #MusicianLife #ComposerLife #MusicMaking #ArtsEducation #MusicCommunity #djsparr #sparrmusic by @djsparr

38

2

a month ago

A meditative sound journal shaped by memory, spirituality, loss and reverence." Full review by Jonathan Widran at JW Vibe.https://www.jwvibe.com/single-post/d-j-sparr-the-tao-of-muhammad-ali#djsparr #sparrmusic #thetaoofmuhammadali #neumarecords #newmusic #composer #classicalmusic #contemporarymusic #albumreview #newrelease by @djsparr

6

0

2 months ago

A meditative sound journal shaped by memory, spirituality, loss and reverence." Jonathan Widran's read of The Tao of Muhammad Ali at JW Vibe. #djsparr #sparrmusic #thetaoofmuhammadali #neumarecords #newmusic #composer #classicalmusic #muhammadali by @djsparr

4

0

2 months ago