Starting with a mallet percussion ostinato, this contemporary ballad for developing bands would also work well as a reflective selection for more advanced ensembles or as a contrasting selection in concert or contest. Written to represent thoughts, feelings and emotions during one’s life, the composition is based on the Lydian mode, which naturally gives a sense of positivity, hopefulness, inspiration, and heavenly colors. Use this to introduce the study of modes, develop lyrical playing skills and as inspiration for all performers and listeners.
Program Notes
In December of 2020, after almost a year of living socially distanced, isolated, and not knowing when we would return to life as we knew it, I began to think about what life used to look like. I realized that I sometimes might have taken all the beautiful things in my life for granted. Personally, the year 2020 was a time of loss where someone close to me left, and at the same time, I was also able to have other successes. This dichotomy inspired me to realize that there is hope in all that we do; it is how we perceive life.
Boundless Hope represents my thoughts, feelings, and emotions during this time. The piece is roughly based on the Lydian mode, introducing the raised fourth degree in m. 2 of the mallet percussion and then at m. 15 in the main melody. The Lydian mode naturally gives a sense of positivity, hopefulness, inspiration, and heavenly colors. That was my exact intention with this piece: using the mode to define the mood showing gratitude for all that we have, and yearning to return to normalcy with a new and fresh perspective. Measure 30 should be slightly faster, followed by a rit. into the grandiose recapitulation of the theme in m. 38. At m. 45, the wind chimes should start before the clarinet entrance, with the subsequent measures representing dark and warm colors.
This piece is very personal to me, and I appreciate you playing the composition.
