Pangaea
The title Pangaea refers to the most recent supercontinent present on our planet. It begins with the destruction of the previous supercontinent (Pannotia), as it begins to break and drift apart. The middle portion brings us the creation of Pangaea as the meandering land masses conjoin once more; creating one continuous continent. As the piece continues, you hear Pangaea suffer the same fate as Pannotia as it separates and becomes the continents we are familiar with today. This work was originally written to commemorate the University of Mary’s inaugural High School Honor festival, and was also premiered on their regional tour.
Indomitable Will
Indomitable Will is a driving fanfare for band that gives every section a chance to shine. You may notice that it utilizes an idea of two from Pangaea, but develops them in different ways. This piece has a constant drive and energy that never lets up. The scoring also includes piano, helping to create a different tonal environment many other pieces for the wind band.
Transience
Transience comes across as one of my more menacing works. It opens with timpani leading into a chromatic melodic idea with hits interspersed. After passing around and developing a few ideas, the entire style shirts to something a little more jazz oriented before combining the two and culminating with a forte ensemble passage. Instances of bitonality are also present, creating a good introduction to new sounds and concepts. As the name would suggest, the piece moves from idea to idea before it leaves the same way it arrived.
I can’t decide whether this piece sounds super hopeful, or like someone looking back on a regretful past. The piece is a very controlled ballad that features a number of small solo passages for flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, and horn. “Resigned to Hope” is currently one of my personal favorites on this site, and should be accessible to a wide variety of ensembles.
Resigned to Hope
This piece has a bit of drive to it right from the beginning, and focuses pretty heavily on syncopations. Every instrument has a moment or two throughout where they get to shine. There are a couple changes in time signature, but nothing too dramatic or difficult. It is, however, essential that a differential between 3/4 and 6/8 can be made.
Warning Signs
Carousel was one of the first pieces I ever wrote for Concert Band. Newly revised, it is a standard march that is eminently playable and fun.