Ongoing Projects

Judson-Tyler Guitar Duo

Michael T. Roberts and Zachary J. Selissen: two dudes, two nylon-string guitars, and two middle names rocking a diverse selection of music, from Baroque sonatas and jazz standards to Brazilian dances and Nuevo Tango, original works and lots more. Website coming soon.

Fingerstylin' with Michael T on GuitarJamDaily.com

Mike's column discusses the technique, repertoire, and culture of classical and fingerstyle guitar. The column is temporarily unavailable due to site reformatting, but should return soon.

Stand Up Eight: Mike’s old band

Award-winning, all-original funk and jazz-infused pop/rock.
Not exactly "ongoing" (we split in 2004), but our CDs endure as some of my proudest achievements. We still collaborate periodically and, once in a blue moon, finish an old tune!

CDs, streaming audio, and free downloads on standupeight.net
We're also on iTunes

Original Musical Works

Click any title for more info and streaming audio widgets

Blues Had, Blues Gone Away (2008)

String Quartet
7 min.

Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters (2008)

Choral piece with words from Ecclesiastes
for SATB a cappella chorus
4 min.

Capricho Manchego (2008)

Guitar Duet
arrangement by Zac Selissen
6 min.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (2007)

an Arab-Italian-American improvisational odyssey
for Viola, Oud, and Percussion
9 min. (at least)

Jiggy Ringy Dingy (2007)

Ring Tone
for tenor ukulele
24 seconds
Download (free)

Cervantes Suite (2007)

Seven pieces for solo classical guitar.
30 min.

The Mad Farmer Revolution (2007)

Art song with words by Wendell Berry
for voice and piano (or guitar)
5 min.

Alternate Version (2008)
voice, piano or guitar, acoustic bass, and drum set

I Will Sing of Your Love (2006)

Art song with words from the Psalms.
for soprano, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, bass guitar, and percussion.
10 min.

Alternate Versions (2008)
1) soprano, five guitars, and bass guitar
2) six guitars and bass guitar

Cuentos de Eva Luna / The Stories of Eva Luna (2005, rev. 2007)

Five songs with words by Isabel Allende (en español).
for mezzo-soprano, guitar, cello, charango, and optional percussion.
20 min.

Tooth and Nail (2004)

Theater music: songs and underscoring.
for three voices, guitar, and harpsichord
20 min.

Lotus Blooming in a Sea of Fire (2000, rev. 2003)

Two-act musical/opera.
for a cast of 7 or 11, with optional chorus
2 gtr./bass/drums/perc./keys/fl./vl./vla./vcl.
approx. 2 hours

A musical tale from the American War in Vietnam. The story of the My Lai massacre, as told to a child: a village of peaceful dragons, a host of vengeful angels bearing swords of flame, and the blooming of a forbidden lotus.
Book, Music, and Lyrics by MTR

Note: This site reflects the original version of Lotus, as performed at Dartmouth College on May 24, 2000. Stay tuned for updates on the revised version of Lotus, performed at Blake School of the Arts in Tampa, FL, February 20-22, 2003!

Passion Play

One-act musical. Mike assisted in the Fall 2000 revival of this timeless tale: the story of Jesus’ last days on earth. A one-act musical pageant by Zach Morfogen, Don Heiferman, and Bruce Molloy, with additional book, music and lyrics by MTR.

Plenty More Where That Came From

Check out the MTR Audio Player for more MTR music of all varieties!