The revised version of Clean Blue Sky is now available. I have rescored the brass so that there are now two Horn parts instead of four and I have removed the 3rd Trombone part. I have added a 2nd Flute part and adjusted some of the ranges throughout the ensemble. There are also new percussion parts, including a four drum timpani part and a bell and crash cymbal part.
Discover The Night: The Backbone of Night Remastered
It’s International Dark Sky Week and to celebrate I’m looking back at my 2017 chamber symphony, The Backbone of Night. It is a piece about astrophilia and the loss of the night sky in our urban centers. The title is taken from a painting by Jon Lomberg. The work is in three sections. The first imagines a cityscape with its flashing neon lights and all of the hustle and bustle of modern life, but with a night sky devoid of stars due to ever-present skyglow. The second section imagines a trip to the outskirts of the city where skyglow is no longer a factor and the wonders of the night sky are clearly visible. The final section imagines a modern city that has figured out how to manage its light pollution without diminishing its sense of security or all of the activities that a modern society currently enjoys.
Earth Day 2022: Blue Remembered Earth Remastered
To celebrate Earth Day, I’m looking back at my 2018 symphony for wind ensemble, Blue Remembered Earth. Early drafts were floating around as far back as 2011. It was the need to bring closure to this work that prompted my going back to school for more education. I am grateful for the guidance provided by James Syler at UTSA. The insights he provided helped me organize this material into a much more cohesive package. I’ve written many things since then, but this remains the piece I am most proud of. I hope to get the chance to hear it performed someday.