Taking Off
for full orchestra
duration: 5’45”
Instrumentation:
2 Flutes (II = Piccolo)
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets in Bb
2 Bassoons
2 Horns in F
2 Trumpets in C
2 Trombones
Tuba
Timpani
2 Percussion:
1 = Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Suspended Cymbal, Tam-tam, Sandblocks, Guiro, Wood Blocks (2), Vibraslap (mounted)
2 = Glockenspiel (shared), 2 Suspended Cymbals (low & high), Sandblocks, Guiro, Wood Blocks (3), Vibraslap (mounted), Lion’s Roar, Bongos, Tom-toms (4), Kick Drum, Bass Drum
Strings
About the work
Taking Off was commissioned by Vanderbilt University for the celebration of their sesquicentennial. It was first performed by the Vanderbilt Orchestra, conducted by Ernesto Estigarribia, on February 10th, 2024.
Program Note
“Taking Off” is a celebration of growth leading to newfound freedom and ability. Growth takes courage and often follows struggle and even failure. This piece charts a course that finds its way to “taking off” through a challenging landscape.
All recordings are short excerpts. Please contact me for a perusal score and audio if you are interested to hear more.