Wind, Sand and Stars

Program Notes

The title was inspired by Antoine Saint-Exupery's 1939 memoir, in which he details his harrowing experience of crashing his plane in the Sahara Desert. Despite having only a day's worth of water, he and his navigator managed to survive for four days before being rescued. The episode would be prominently referenced in his classic novella, The Little Prince.

Despite its brief length, there are three distinct musical identities in this piece - corresponding to the associations conjured up by Saint-Exupery's poetic title. The 'Wind' theme is characterized by a stream of flowing, descending eighth notes that often unfold in the backdrop, while the 'Sand' theme is lyrical, long-limbed, and initially somber: we hear it first presented in the darkest register of the clarinet, supported by a bedrock of bassoon and bass clarinet. These motives weave together throughout the piece, building towards a climactic resolution whereupon the 'Stars' theme - a triumphant, cathartic chorale - is revealed. Broadly speaking, this is music about finding inspiration and hope amidst adversity. I hope that both listeners and performers can find something uplifting within these notes that will carry them through life's tougher moments.

Commissioned by the Band Room Podcast Consortium Project, consisting of the following ensembles:

Amador Vally High School | Jonathan Grantham

Anthony Reimer

Arizona State University Wind Ensemble | Dr. Jason Caslor

Acadia University Bands | Dr. Mark Hopkins & Dr. Tristan De borba

Central Memorial High School | Adam Mailman

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music | Dr. Jason H. Nam

Lethbridge Collegiate Institute | Sam Yamamoto

Lincoln High School (Seattle, WA) | Zachariah MacIntyre

Lisgar Symphonic Winds | Lani Sommers

McGill University | Dr. Danielle Gaudry

Memorial University Wind Ensemble | Dr. Dylan Maddix

Minnesota Junior Winds | Dr. Charles Weise

Rouge River Winds | Pratik Gandhi

St. Joseph High School Band | Shaun Bzdel

The University of West Alabama Wind Ensemble | Dr. Tyler Strickland

Tom and Denise Hedlund

University of Arkansas Monticello Wind Symphony | Dr. Kristen Zelenak

University of British Columbia | Dr. Robert Taylor

University of Manitoba Wind Ensemble | Dr. Jacquie Dawson

University of Prince Edward Island Wind Symphony | Dr. Dale Sorensen & Dr. Nicole Strum

University of Regina Wind Ensemble | Brent Ghiglione

University of Saskatchewan Wind Orchestra | Dr. Darrin Oehlerking

University of Toronto | Dr. Gillian MacKay

Wilfrid Laurier University Wind Orchestra | Dr. LaToya Webb

William Aberhart High School | Nathan Gingrich

Wright State University Wind Symphony | Dr. Shelley Jagow

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