This period includes many works created during McLean's studies with Henry Cowell at Eastman and Thomas Beversdorf at Indiana University. All of the works are non-electronic and show a progression from a neo-Sibelius esthetic (Rondo for Band) to post-Hindemith (Fantasia for Piano) to Elliot Carter (Trio). All of these works shown on this site are those which McLean still views as finished mature compositions, worthy of a continued life.  Others ("Agnus Dei" for womens chorus, "Scherzo for Orchestra," "The Path" for Wind Ensemble, "Three Songs on Sandburg Poems", "Divertimento for Clarinet Choir", "Suite for Strings," music for three separate musical comedies, works for big band [jazz] and others) have been withdrawn due to (in McLean's view) their lack of technique or originality.

Access:

McLean's views on how a composer should be compensated for his/her work have changed over the years. During these early years McLean eagerly sought and was successful in securing publishers, namely Broude Brothers and European-American, who published and distributed his and Priscilla's work.  Beginning in the early 1980's, when McLean and wife Priscilla were embarking on a full-time career as professional composer/performers outside the university, their strategy changed in that they withdrew all of their works from publishers and became their own publisher by starting MLC Publications. By the time of their semi-retirement from full time touring with the McLean Mix (2013), their current focus has been on building a legacy access situation where anyone can listen to, watch, or download their scores for free from various sources. This web site is the culmination of this focus, and is designed for easy and free access for (mostly) all of their music. The user may simply pull down the appropriate work from the header menu and download, listen, or watch the work with score on YouTube.