When the night has come / And the land is dark / And the moon is the only light we’ll see / No I won’t be afraid, no I won’t be afraid / Just as long, as you nerd, nerd with me.

Nerd Nite is back with the start of a new season. We’re ready to get down, get down with presentations related to music composition and composers.

Doors open at 7. Presentations start at 8.
The cost is one US dollar bill or coin.


“Writing Music In Service to the Community” by Frank Nawrot.
Frank will be sharing his music-writing process and how it reflects the belief that all artists should be servants to the community in which they live. After sharing this process, the musical trio Nebular Blue will perform a recently written piece by Frank.

“Expectation and Deception: It’s all in the Key” by Stuart O’Neil.
In music, what exactly does it mean to be in the key of C? How about G minor? What does it mean to change keys? Does it matter what instrument you play? How about if you are a vocalist? The term “key” is used regularly in music, but we are sometimes unclear as to what it really means. In this presentation, teacher and composer Stuart will discuss ideas about tonality, musical tension and resolution, and the definition of a tonal center.

“Hidin’ Haydn” by Adrian Jacobs.
A brief presentation by our own co-boss Adrian. Like a nightgown, it promises to be long enough to cover the subject but short enough to be interesting.



Frank Nawrot is a composer from Grand Rapids, MI and is currently a doctoral music composition student at the University of Kansas.

Stuart O’Neil has taught vocal and instrumental music for Kansas public schools since 1993. He received a bachelor of music education degree from the University of Nebraska and a master of music theory degree from the University of Kansas. His published catalogue includes works for concert band, jazz ensemble, concert choir, percussion ensemble, and various brass ensembles. In addition to his work as a teacher and composer, Stuart also serves as an arranger, accompanist, adjudicator, and conductor. He currently lives in Lawrence, KS, with his family.

Adrian Jacobs is one of the intrepid co-bosses who help bring you NNLFK. Who can forget his most famous composition, the timeless classic, “Indigobird,” performed at Summer Shorts in 2016.