Inspiration! - Festive Overture (2023)

for Orchestra

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Composed 2022 - January 2023

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7 Minutes

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Instrumentation: 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, 2 Percussion, Strings

 

Percussion 1: Crash/Suspended Cymbal, Triangle

Percussion 2: Bass Drum

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World Premiere:

University of Texas at Arlington Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Clifton Evans conducting - February 10, 2023 (TMEA Conference)

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Subsequent Performances:

Hartford Symphony Orchestra; Quinn Mason conducting - March 22, 2023

Hartford Symphony Orchestra; Carolyn Kuan conducting - May 6/June 17/June 30, 2023

Oregon East Symphony; Dr. Beau Benson conducting - June 10, 2023 (Pacific Northwest premiere)

Springfield Symphony Orchestra; Kevin Scott conducting - June 19, 2023

Plano Symphony Orchestra; Shira Samuels-Shragg conducting - July 4, 2023

American Festival of the Arts Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Clif Evans conducting - July 8, 2023

Annapolis Symphony Orchestra; José-Luis Novo conducting - September 2/3, 2023

University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra; Creston Herron conducting - September 19/26, 2023

Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra; Quinn Mason conducting - November 5, 2023

Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestra; Dr. Mark Laycock conducting - November 11, 2023

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; Christopher James Lees conducting - November 14, 2023

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; Christopher James Lees conducting - January 14, 2024

Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra; Dr. Antoine Clark conducting - January 28, 2024

Florence Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Terry Roberts conducting - February 12, 2024

Toledo Symphony Orchestra; Alain Trudel conducting - February 25, 2024

Plano East Senior High Orchestra; Dr. Ann Smith conducting - February 29, 2024

Holyoke Civic Symphony; David Kidwell conductor - March 10, 2024

Austin Civic Orchestra; Dr. Beau Benson conducting - May 12, 2024

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; Christopher James Lees conducting - May 19, 2024

Interlochen Philharmonic; Creston Herron conducting - July 28, 2024

Wichita Symphony Orchestra; Daniel Hege conducting - October 5, 2024

Kingsville Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Colleen Ferguson conducting - October 6, 2024

 

This is a piece that is dedicated to the power of inspiration, and the will to inspire. The composition begins with a flourish—much like the spark of an idea—and erupts into joyous interplay from all sections of the orchestra. The middle section is more of a reflection of the first section, soulful and profound in nature and the rest of the piece is in high spirits, inspired by that which came before it.

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This composition was commissioned by the University of Texas at Arlington Symphony Orchestra and their music director, Dr. Clifton Evans; it is also graciously dedicated to them.