THE SECOND PIECE OF "THE MICHIGAN TRIPTYCH"
PUBLISHER: M.O.T.I.F. - Music of the Introspective Fields (ASCAP)
DURATION: ca. 5-7 minutes
DIFFICULTY: GRADE 3
WORLD PREMIERE: postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
DURATION: ca. 5-7 minutes
DIFFICULTY: GRADE 3
WORLD PREMIERE: postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
INSTRUMENTATION
WOODWINDS: 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, Bassoon (optional), 2 Bb Clarinets, Bb Bass Clarinet
SAXOPHONES: 2 Altos, Tenor, Bari
BRASS: 4 Bb Trumpets, 2 Horns, 3 Trombones, Euphoniums (2 or more needed; T.C. and B.C. parts available), Tubas (2 or more needed)
PERCUSSION: Timpani, 3 Mallet Percussion, 2 Percussion [7-8 perc. players in total are recommended, but this work may also be performed with only 5-6 players if necessary]
SAXOPHONES: 2 Altos, Tenor, Bari
BRASS: 4 Bb Trumpets, 2 Horns, 3 Trombones, Euphoniums (2 or more needed; T.C. and B.C. parts available), Tubas (2 or more needed)
PERCUSSION: Timpani, 3 Mallet Percussion, 2 Percussion [7-8 perc. players in total are recommended, but this work may also be performed with only 5-6 players if necessary]
PERCUSSION LIST
Vibraphone, Chimes, Glockenspiel, Marimba (4.3-octave), Tam-Tam, Triangle, Crash Cymbals, Ocean Drum (optional but preferred), Suspended Cymbal, Bass Drum
PROGRAM NOTES
When I was growing up, my family and I would sometimes travel to the Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier in my home state of Michigan. One of the earliest memories I have of that place is how far it was to walk to the lighthouse, how warm the sandy beaches were, and how cold the waters of Lake Michigan were on that bright summer day. There was another time that I visited this place around sunset. The lighthouse and pier practically emitted a radiant golden glow across the entire beach, a perfect and quasi-spiritual image of what Michigan's natural beauty has to offer that greatly profounded me.
This piece represents the idea of that place with its lush musical language. But, it also represents the warmest qualities that family and home can provide. Thus, the work is mainly reflective in a sense, bridged together by a ballad which twists and turns harmonically. Often times warm and peaceful, other times darker and uncertain, The Golden Pier is a work which embraces all of these qualities throughout its entire journey. In the end, however, I believe that the inherent beauty of the Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier will always remain a bright memory and a natural wonder for those who visit it.
The Golden Pier joins my earlier band pieces The Straits of Mackinac and The Great River Rapid Chase to complete a triptych of music inspired by my Michigan roots in some shape or form. I would like to dedicate this piece to my wife, friends, family, and colleagues who have supported me and my work over the past few years. Thank you for believing in my music.
This piece represents the idea of that place with its lush musical language. But, it also represents the warmest qualities that family and home can provide. Thus, the work is mainly reflective in a sense, bridged together by a ballad which twists and turns harmonically. Often times warm and peaceful, other times darker and uncertain, The Golden Pier is a work which embraces all of these qualities throughout its entire journey. In the end, however, I believe that the inherent beauty of the Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier will always remain a bright memory and a natural wonder for those who visit it.
The Golden Pier joins my earlier band pieces The Straits of Mackinac and The Great River Rapid Chase to complete a triptych of music inspired by my Michigan roots in some shape or form. I would like to dedicate this piece to my wife, friends, family, and colleagues who have supported me and my work over the past few years. Thank you for believing in my music.