Inspiration! - Festive Overture (2023)
for Orchestra
Composed 2022 - January 2023
7 Minutes
Instrumentation: 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, 2 Percussion, Strings
Percussion 1: Crash/Suspended Cymbal, Triangle
Percussion 2: Bass Drum
World Premiere:
University of Texas at Arlington Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Clifton Evans conducting - February 10, 2023 (TMEA Conference)
Subsequent Performances:
Hartford Symphony Orchestra; Quinn Mason conducting - March 22, 2023
Hartford Symphony Orchestra; Carolyn Kuan conducting - May 6/June 17/June 30, 2023
Oregon East Symphony; Dr. Beau Benson conducting - June 10, 2023 (Pacific Northwest premiere)
Springfield Symphony Orchestra; Kevin Scott conducting - June 19, 2023
Plano Symphony Orchestra; Shira Samuels-Shragg conducting - July 4, 2023
American Festival of the Arts Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Clif Evans conducting - July 8, 2023
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra; José-Luis Novo conducting - September 2/3, 2023
University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra; Creston Herron conducting - September 19/26, 2023
Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra; Quinn Mason conducting - November 5, 2023
Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestra; Dr. Mark Laycock conducting - November 11, 2023
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; Christopher James Lees conducting - November 14, 2023
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; Christopher James Lees conducting - January 14, 2024
Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra; Dr. Antoine Clark conducting - January 28, 2024
Florence Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Terry Roberts conducting - February 12, 2024
Toledo Symphony Orchestra; Alain Trudel conducting - February 25, 2024
Plano East Senior High Orchestra; Dr. Ann Smith conducting - February 29, 2024
Holyoke Civic Symphony; David Kidwell conductor - March 10, 2024
Austin Civic Orchestra; Dr. Beau Benson conducting - May 12, 2024
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; Christopher James Lees conducting - May 19, 2024
Interlochen Philharmonic; Creston Herron conducting - July 28, 2024
Wichita Symphony Orchestra; Daniel Hege conducting - October 5, 2024
Kingsville Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Colleen Ferguson conducting - October 6, 2024
Waco Symphony Orchestra; Lawrence Loh conducting - November 7, 2024
Northern Valley Youth Orchestra; Dr. Kevin Sütterlin conducting - November 10, 2024 (North Dakota premiere)
TMEA Region 24 Philharmonic Orchestra; David Eccles conducting - December 14, 2024
Missouri All State Orchestra; Creston Herron conducting - February 1, 2025
Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra; Daniel Hege conducting - February 28/March 1, 2025
Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra; Gerardo Edelstein conducting - April 25, 2025
Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Shira Samuels-Shragg conducting - May 26, 2025
Lamont Symphony Orchestra; Lawrence Golan conducting - May 28, 2025
Oklahoma Youth Orchestra; Dr. Clif Evans conducting - November 2, 2025
District 214 Orchestra; Creston Herron conducting - January 6, 2026
PMEA District 4 Orchestra; Sean Radermacher conducting - January 24, 2026
Northwest Suburban Conference Orchestra; Creston Herron conducting - February 22, 2026
New Texas Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Michelle Perrin Blair conducting - March 15, 2026
This is a piece that is dedicated to the power of inspiration, and the will to inspire. The composition begins with a flourish—much like the spark of an idea—and erupts into joyous interplay from all sections of the orchestra. The middle section is more of a reflection of the first section, soulful and profound in nature and the rest of the piece is in high spirits, inspired by that which came before it.
This composition was commissioned by the University of Texas at Arlington Symphony Orchestra and their music director, Dr. Clifton Evans; it is also graciously dedicated to them.