With Love and Grace
Grade 3.5
ca. 4 minutes
Commissioned by Lake Travis High School
Premiered on December 18th, 2024 at the Midwest Clinic
If you are using this piece for contest:
Instrumentation
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Eb Alto Saxophone 1
Eb Alto Saxophone 2
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion: 0-4 players (all parts are optional)
Timpani
Marimba (4.3 octave), Suspended Cymbal (two players, one marimba)
Bass Drum
Program Notes:
“With Love and Grace” is a musical representation of a closing salutation. It can be a way of saying thank you or expressing honor for a special occasion. It can be a way of expressing forgiveness or saying goodbye. It can also signify the closing of a chapter in life. The music captures the complex emotions that often accompany these significant life changes or important moments.
Personal Note:
When I initially delivered this piece to Richard Hicks, Director of Bands at Lake Travis High School, I said the following as they were about to begin rehearsals for their Midwest Clinic performance:
I decided to title the piece "With Love and Grace". I believe the piece sounds hallowed because it gives a sense of reverence and respect. For the ensemble, I imagine the experience at Midwest will be similar to a hallowed occasion, because it is a special moment that carries deep significance and is treated as an honor.
I remember working with the Mason High School Wind Ensemble and watching Richard Floyd work with the students. I listened as they discussed the journey everyone was about to go on and how special the entire process from beginning to end will be. My hope is that the entire process can be one that is filled with love and grace amongst everyone in the ensemble. In my program notes I refer to the title being a closing salutation. I imagine the actual Midwest performance being that closing salutation (metaphorically speaking) when you sign off "with love and grace".
I also shared with the group that personally this piece has significance with the closing salutation being a way to say goodbye. I recently had to say goodbye to an important chapter in my life and it reminded me that these special moments don’t last forever and it’s good to be present and bring love and grace to everything we do while it lasts. We may need to give grace to others along the way. We may also need to give grace to ourselves.