Under Their Heads

Originally I did not know why I was writing this piece or what it was for. So I look at it every month or so for about six months. Then I decided I needed to finish it. It felt weird for it to be sitting there for so long. So I visited it more frequently sometimes just listening to it, sometimes adding to it. Until I realized what it was about. This piece to me represent my thoughts, ideas, and feelings towards the events happening in the world, specifically the US, and more specifically to African Americans. For a while, this has been sitting heavy in my heart and know some of it is out on paper. 

 

This piece is written for symphonic band for high school students. I know some composers do not mention this, because every group should be able to play their music. So I amend my thought to say, this was written with high school students in mind. I remember being at that age and being faced with all kinds of prejudice and racism just being in school. I want to offer the people taking part in this experience an idea that can help, in any way, shape, or form. I encourage ensemble members and conductors to make their own story of what is going on in this piece. There are a lot of connections throughout the piece to present a journey for anything. 

 

While writing this piece, I came to terms with a couple of issues that plagued me for years. The process have been nurturing and rejuvenating. If there is anything you get from this piece, I hope it is: to keep pushing and keep fighting. It is not over.