Wind, Sand and Stars
| Year Composed: | 2024 |
| Instrumentation: | wind ensemble: 2+picc.1.3+bcl.1/0.2.1.1sax/2.3.2.1.1/timp+4 perc/pno |
| Duration | 3 minutes |
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.
Commissions and Awards
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
- A?cadia 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