I’m back for finals this week at Arizona State, but I happily skipped the last week of classes last week to be in Wisconsin for the world premiere of Instinctive Travels by the Arrowhead Union High School Wind Symphony! Jacob Polancich, director of bands at Arrowhead Union, and I first began seriously talking about the commission just about a year ago. One of the premises that we both enjoyed was a piece that musically and metaphorically reflected on the evolution of music. The idea was bold and such a broad concept that allowed for this commission to consider a number of different artistic directions.

One of the most exciting parts of my compositional process is the idea that the more and more time I spend working on a piece, the more clearly the “big picture” is gradually revealed. I am consistently surprised by my own music in that the process takes a melody or a phrase in a direction or a style that I hadn’t, until that point, even considered. Because I have not been formally trained in music at a university, I depend greatly on these “instincts” and end up going along for the ride, so to speak. In a way, Instinctive Travels is even a personal reflection on my own evolution and growth as I embark on my own musical journey from conception to performance. The music almost never turns out like I think it will in the beginning—but that certainly keeps the process exciting.

Assistant band director, string leader, and all-around amazing percussionist at AUHS, Stacey Zwirlein, designed posters for the big event. Posters of all shapes and sizes were hung everywhere on campus, including this one which enjoyed top billing over the UMKC audition notice. Boo ya!

The students were so excited about the piece and undoubtedly worked their butts off. 386 measures clocking in at quarter note = 176 for 7 minutes straight is nothing short of a marathon. The mallet player, Taylor, (who covers marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, and chimes) even color-coded her part to make the most of the lightning-fast instrument changes and had four separate four-page parts at each station. Makes me tired just looking at it.

Okay, I admit maybe I went a little overboard with the piece… upon hearing/reading the piece for the first time back in September/October, one student was quoted to have remarked, “Holy crap.” That just about sums it up.

While Instinctive Travels was the last piece on the program, what would a high school band concert in December be without Sleigh Ride as an encore? I had mentioned something earlier in the week about having once played saxophone when I was in high school… so they pulled out the school’s extra Bundy, soaked up a Vandoren, threw me a Neotech, and invited me to play with them. After breaking a screw on the ligature, missing almost every accidental at the key change (even though my stand partner, Ben, had written them in!), and being disgustingly out of tune with the rest of the section, the whip cracked and the concert was over.

I blame my cold… or the Bundy… hopefully nobody noticed how badly I played.

I don’t think I’ve ever signed so many programs before. It’s certainly a humbling experience, especially when you’re not much older than the person wanting you to sign it. The trip was so inspiring and emotionally refreshing and reminded me how important it is to continue composing. I can’t wait to go back!

Next week? Okay, sounds good! See you in Milwaukee!