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Snow Dance for Orchestra [5 minutes]
Performed by the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra with Maxim Eshkenazy (Conductor) at the Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Instrumentation: Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Timpani, Orchestral Bells, 2 Percussion, Harp, & Strings.
Year Composed: 2002 (Rev. 2008)
Program Notes:
Growing up near Detroit, Michigan, my winters were filled with sledding, snowmen, icicles, and snowball fights. As I began composing in high school, I would sketch themes and musical fragments that reflected many of my childhood memories. However, most of them never saw the light of day. At the same time, I never threw them away hoping that I would one day be able to utilize their young charisma and optimism. When I was offered my first opportunity to write for a youth ensemble as composer-in-residence of the Pasadena Youth Symphony, I jumped at the chance to work with the young musicians and possibly revisit some of my earlier sketches. Knowing that their first concert would take place in December, I felt compelled to write a piece that reflected my days playing in the snow and to hopefully bring some of that cold exuberance to the sunny and warm Southern California winter.