This is an adaptation of Solace Dance

(Solace Dance 2016/Flexible Adaptation 2020)

Educational Points: 

This piece uses many different key areas and will give students experience switching between various key signatures.  The musical themes are fairly repetitive and allow for students to concentrate on these changing keys.  Articulation is also crucial in the main thematic material.  These accents and staccatos serve a stylistic purpose. The music should have a light and energetic dance-like feeling to it.  It may take some time for students to feel comfortable with their own part and how the counterpoint fits together.

Program Notes:

 While at the Art Institute of Chicago, I spent a good amount of time with the works of Van Gogh.  There was one particular painting of an outdoor scene that caught my attention.  While engaging with this work I remember saying to myself: “This is solace”. I often think it takes work and seeking to find solace, as it does not always come to us naturally.  In this work I imagined a person dancing her way to experiencing this sense of peace.

Downloadable Click Track (two measure intro):