California native Ted Allen spent his youth enthusiastically participating in choirs, marching bands and rock bands at high school in Newport Beach and at Pomona College. After completing his training at the Yale School of Music, he worked in the music business for a diverse clientele that included both the New York City Ballet and Metallica. He is currently in the tenth year of his “second career,” teaching high school bands and orchestras. His music has been performed by the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, the Mitch Leigh Big Band, the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine Wind Band, San Francisco Choral Artists, the San Francisco Girls Chorus, the San Jose Choral Project and numerous high school ensembles. Many of his compositions reflect his California upbringing in their invocation of western musical traditions and history, particularly the vocal works; “Western Meadowlark”, “Coyote Song/¡Ay Susanita!” and “Going Out Tonight” as well as the violin solo, “Cattle Ranch Moon.”