From Two Instruments to Twenty-Five: My Symphonic Band Debut!
There's a first time for everything, right? And for me, that "first" was a journey from writing for a mere two instruments to tackling a full symphonic band with 25! It all started back in 2009, leading to a three-year creative marathon that culminated in my very first piece for symphonic band: “Mary: A Prelude for Concert Band.”
It’s wild to think about now, but this piece, which sounds nothing like a rock song today, was originally conceived with an electric guitar introduction that was supposed to weave its way through the entire composition. That main theme? It ended up finding its home in the clarinet part, so it’s the clarinets that kick everything off.
Car Alarms and Frank Ticheli
The creative process for “Mary” was certainly an adventure. I remember one morning, I woke up to the jarring sound of a car alarm blaring outside. Instead of annoyance, inspiration struck! About three-quarters of the way through the piece, if you listen closely, you'll hear that car alarm make an unexpected cameo in the flute parts. It's a little inside joke that always makes me smile.
Handing the finished score over to the band director was an eye-opening moment. To help me refine my work, he generously loaned me two scores by the legendary composer Frank Ticheli: the vibrant, jazz-infused “Blue Shades” and his breathtaking masterpiece, “Angels in the Architecture.” Studying those pieces was an invaluable lesson in orchestration and form.
Hearing "Mary" Come to Life
There’s truly nothing quite like hearing a piece you’ve created come to life. I still remember standing outside the band room doors, listening as the band gradually brought “Mary” to fruition. They started at a much slower tempo, taking their time to learn the intricacies of the music. But over a few weeks, they gradually built up to the tempo I’d envisioned.
The most magnificent part? About a week before the concert, the director invited me to sit in on a rehearsal. I was a bundle of nerves and excitement! He introduced me to the band, and then asked if their playing matched what I had in mind. My answer was an emphatic "yes!" Truthfully, I was just overflowing with gratitude to hear my work being played. For composers, there's a profound sense of validation that comes from having your music performed. It’s like breathing life into your innermost thoughts and feelings.
The Electrifying Premiere
Finally, the concert day arrived. It was a “Friends of Music” concert at CSUSB, showcasing the winners of their annual concerto/composition festival. And let me tell you, the performance of "Mary" was electrifying and incredibly gratifying. The energy in the room was palpable, and hearing all those instruments come together, playing something that started as a flicker of an idea in my mind, was an experience I'll never forget.
Perhaps I'll share more about that electrifying performance in a future post!
