Symphony #3 for wind ensemble

Abstract

Symphony #3 for Wind Ensemble is a four movement composition for wind ensemble with a duration of roughly 35 minutes. This piece seeks to push back against the trend in wind band towards writing surface-heavy “festival music”. One of the main objectives of this symphony is that extremes (particularly of dynamics and tempo) must be earned: that there must be strong emotional or narrative content underlying each surface element of the piece. The opening measures of the symphony present a series of quartal block chords based in F and a fluttering unstable texture centered on concert A. The large-scale form of the piece is derived from these two motives, and the majority of the piece follows the development and interaction of motivic material influenced by the two initial motives. The individual movements of the symphony trace the emotional journey taken as the two main motives are eventually destined to combine.