Program Note |
as firmament to fin (2021) is an orchestral work about embracing change and looking to the future. Knowing that this piece would celebrate the centennial of the UNC Greensboro School of Music, I sought to compose a dynamic and celebratory work.
The title comes from a letter written by Emily Dickinson. She uses the phrase “as firmament to fin” to describe something entirely unfamiliar (in this case, publishing her work), and I loved the idea of an initial encounter with something as vast and infinite as the sky. Throughout 2020 and 2021, we all experienced things that we never could have imagined or anticipated, and my own experiences during this time have undoubtedly influenced my music. The title also suits the work’s purpose as a commemoration of the UNC Greensboro School of Music’s founding—this was also the start of something new and unfamiliar, and as firmament to fin celebrates the journey that has brought the School of Music to where it is today. Musically, as firmament to fin is simply about scales—scales as gestures, transitions, and melodic material. The opening’s scalar fragments gradually transform into longer lyrical melodies, assuming the guise of the unfamiliar and propelling the piece forward. I’m deeply grateful to UNC Greensboro and its commissioning partners Ball State University, Central Washington University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Michigan State University, and Oklahoma City University for commissioning this work—they made as firmament to fin possible. |
Premiere |
Premiered in November 2021 by UNCG Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Kevin Geraldi
Lead Commissioner University of North Carolina at Greensboro — Kevin Geraldi, Director of Instrumental Ensembles Commissioning Partners Ball State University — Douglas Droste, Director of Orchestras Central Washington University — Nik Caoile, Director of Orchestras Illinois Wesleyan University — Sey Ahn, Director of Orchestras Michigan State University — Octavio Más Orocas, Director of Orchestras Oklahoma City University — Jeffrey Grogan, Director of Orchestras |
Recording |