Works

This piece was written in mind to be the opener to my senior recital. The piece opens with a flowing section that sets the mood of the piece. This then jumps into a more frantic and fragmented fugue, which in turn breaks into a more melancholy floating section where the trombone takes the lead. The piece then closes in a grand fashion with a large and expansive section that aims to engulf the listener in a powerful and intense wall of sound.

I - The Foothills
II - Hinderance
III - Visions of the Mind
IV - Above the Clouds

This piece is a sonic representation of any task we undertake in life, from writing a book, painting, running a marathon to learning a new skill. This piece aims to portray that journey. Movement I, The Foothills, represents a task's inception: a vision, the early stages of planning, brief glimmers of hope and an effort to move forward. Hinderance, the second movement, depicts the obstacles in our path as we aim to complete our task. The first half represents the outward and physical challenges, while the second half represents the more introspective and personal challenges we face along the way. The third movement, Visions of the Mind, shows the challenging reality of our work. The task is tedious, difficult, back-breaking and sweaty. In brief flashes we see the end in sight, but suddenly are once again consumed by the flames of our craft. Above the Clouds, the fourth and final movement, provides us with the fruits of our efforts. It shines and soars above. The music swells with pride, flurries of happiness and an overall calming sensation. We can now lay back and rest, at last... for now.

I - Nexus
II - Aftermath 

I wrote this piece back in August 2020, right in the peak of the pandemic. The first movement, Nexus, represents the spreading of the virus. It contains erratic movement and a wild energy. Aftermath, the second movement, is the depiction of the chaos and difficulties we all felt during these times - when we felt so far and disconnected from one another. So isolated at times, it was difficult to remember the love and closeness we felt to one another - yet we must strive to remember what it meant to us and attempt to bring it to life once again.

The name of this piece is inspired by the concept of the word 'Singularity' in two regards. The first is a concept that stuck with me from a class I took last semester on stars and galaxies. This is the hypothesis that at the center of a black hole infinite matter and time are compressed as one. The idea of matter and time colliding together comes forth in moving lines in the opening of the piece. This then grows into larger material and eventually breaks into the middle homophonic based center of the piece. 

The second regard of the word 'Singularity' is through its latin root 'singularis,' which means 'alone (of its kind).' This feeling of loneliness is something that many go through at some point in their lives. My exploration of lines with crossing paths coming together and breaking aim to represent the relationships we build, and sometimes even lose, with people around us. This also reminds us to cherish the people around us and let their warm glow surround us as we feel how much we are loved and cared for.