Punch-Drunk

instrumentation: string quartet (violin, violin, viola, violoncello)
duration: c. 7’30”
dedication: to JACK Quartet
premiere: June 14th, 2018 by JACK Quartet; 2018 New Music on the Point-Leicester, VT

Punch-Drunk loosely depicts the symptoms and progression of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) the neurodegenerative disease found in people who have had multiple head injuries. CTE has frequented the news in recent years for its contribution to the deaths of former NFL players. Along with football, CTE affects athletes in boxing, soccer, hockey, and many others. These leagues have frequently demonstrated favor towards continued financial gain over the continued pursuit of safety for their players. Punch-Drunk is a demonstration of the mental deterioration that can take place over time for these athletes through a tragically inevitable framework.