Child of the Stars

Program Notes

I am grateful to the Ottawa Pops Orchestra for giving me the opportunity to pay homage to the many musical heroes of my youth.

The title Child of the Stars - with its fantastical, pulpy overtones - is a reference to the two franchises (Star Wars, Star Trek) that played such a significant role in my own childhood. From a musical standpoint, my compositional voice would be unrecognizable (perhaps even non-existent) without the formative inspiration provided by the evocative scores to these space operas - in particular the music of John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith, two of the twentieth century's greatest composers. This original piece of music is meant to fit within a stylistic framework that pays tribute to and resonates with Star Wars and Star Trek and their respective musical legacies.

There is a story behind this music. Yet rather than articulating that story explicitly, I thought it would be more interesting, more stimulating to the imagination, to invite listeners familiar with the aural landscapes of both franchises to invent their own story. I hope that the musical narrative of Child of the Stars activates the cinematic adventure in all of us.

Performances

June 14-15, 2025 - Ottawa Pops Orchestra, conducted by Jonathan Dagenais. Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, Ottawa, ON.