Mountain Suite (2018)
**Preview pdf coming soon**
This piece is my first work for large ensemble that isn't an arrangement. At the start of my masters I wanted to have piece for Wind Ensemble in the works and I began work on this suite. It's a 3 movement piece that depicts different moments and hikes that my wife and I went on while we were on vacation in Colorado during the summer of 2017. Each movement is designed to work on it's own, but also fit into the suite.
Movement 1 - In the distance, the vast world...
This movement is essentially a mini existential crisis. While out in Colorado we hiked at the Colorado State Monument on our way to Utah. I've been on hikes in CO before, but this one literally took the words out of my mouth. Authors, poets, musicians, whoever all talk about the beauty of our country and how immense and grand it is. You truly don't understand what they meant until you're standing there in the middle of it all. I was awestruck at the beauty of the landscape and the feeling of absolute peace and joy. All my stress and problems faded in an instant and I was left speechless. This movement is an attempt to capture that joy and fear and wonder.
Movement 2 - As the world wakes
This movement is based on a hike that we went on while in Utah. It's been a dream of mine to hike at Arches National Park and Canyonlands in Utah. Our first day there, we got up before the sun and drove into the park to hike while the sun was rising. The trail cut through a valley between two massive stone plateaus. There was light vegetation and as the sun was peaking up there was a moment of silence before the birds woke up and came alive. This movement captures that moment of serenity before the world comes alive. You can hear the birds calling to each other and if you listen closely, you can hear Brianna and I as we make our way through.
Movement 3 - In progress, coming soon!