The Winter Spirits (2016, rev. 2023)

Program Notes

This piece, initially called The Mountain Spirit, was a significant work for me as it was only my second composition. It reflects my early compositional style while also demonstrating how my style developed over time. Due to its personal significance, I revisited and revised it in October 2022.

I wrote this piece during the Fa

Program Notes

This piece, initially called The Mountain Spirit, was a significant work for me as it was only my second composition. It reflects my early compositional style while also demonstrating how my style developed over time. Due to its personal significance, I revisited and revised it in October 2022.

I wrote this piece during the Fall of 2016, when I was a young composer and going through personal struggles. This music captured some of the raw emotions I was feeling at the time and marked my introduction to composing wind band pieces. It was a way for me to express myself and what I was going through. The piece features a repeating melody that evolves and develops over time, expressing moments of lushness, darkness, contentment, happiness, and glory. I particularly wanted to express the feeling of overcoming a deep struggle. I've held onto this piece all these years because it represents those moments so well, often being something I recollect when similar struggles resurface.

I began my pursuit of a master's degree in composition in New York City in August 2022. It was a difficult transition for me as I had spent a majority of my current life in Florida. Leaving behind the relationships and friendships I had built over 22 years was tough, but my passion for this field made it worth it. The move was made even more challenging by other setbacks in my life that made me feel isolated. However, in October, I rediscovered The Mountain Spirit, a piece of work that had helped me through a tough time back in 2016. Its message resonated with me once again, especially as I struggled to find contentment in my new surroundings. I decided to revive and finish the piece, which I completed on October 21, 2022.

I renamed the piece to The Winter Spirits based on two key inspirations. Firstly, a close friend of mine pointed out that the midi playback had a distinct winter feel, thanks to the pitched percussion moments. Given that the piece was inspired by mountains, it seemed fitting to incorporate a winter quality. This led me to fully embrace the "winter sound" in the composition. The other main reason behind my decision to change was related to my difficulties in adapting to life in New York and the winter season. While snowy winters can be enjoyable, they can also be intimidating, gloomy, and frigid. I wanted to draw parallels between these seasonal experiences and personal challenges, ultimately showcasing how we can overcome our toughest moments. Initially, this was the main focus of my work. We all face times when we feel like we're stuck in a dark, cold winter night with no way out. However, when we persevere through our struggles, we can wake up to a breathtaking landscape beautiful show glistening in the early morning light of happiness and contentment, bringing a sense of peace and relief. I've attempted to create aims to capture the essence of life's transitions. With winter as my inspiration, I hope to convey the beauty of this season and its connection to the pursuit of inner peace and happiness.

Score/ parts available for purchase through Contact. Refer to the Catalog for Prices.

Instrumentation

Piccolo
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Bassoons 

Contrabassoon 

E♭Clarinet 

3 B♭Clarinet
B♭Bass Clarinet 

B♭Contrabass Clarinet 

2 Alto Saxophones
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

3 B♭Trumpets (1st doubling piccolo*) 

4 Horns in F
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone

Score/ parts available for purchase through Contact. Refer to the Catalog for Prices.

Instrumentation

Piccolo
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Bassoons 

Contrabassoon 

E♭Clarinet 

3 B♭Clarinet
B♭Bass Clarinet 

B♭Contrabass Clarinet 

2 Alto Saxophones
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

3 B♭Trumpets (1st doubling piccolo*) 

4 Horns in F
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
2 Tubas
Contrabass (Double Bass) 

Timpani
5 Percussion: 

1. Glockenspiel, castanets, snare drum (snares on), chimes.
    
2. Marimba, large crash cymbals, large triangle, tambourine, suspended cymbals, vibraphone,
   chimes, sleigh bells.
    
3. Chimes, suspended cymbals, large crash cymbals, marimba, glockenspiel.
    
4. Tom set (2 bongos, Toms: high, high medium, medium, low), **snare drum (snares on),
   suspended cymbals, large tam-tam.
    
5. Bass Drum, crash cymbals, wind chimes, large tam-tam.