Reciprocity

instrumentation: wind ensemble (two flutes, two oboes, five clarinets, two bassoons, four saxophones, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, euphonium, tuba, six percussion, piano, and double bass)
duration: c. 7’00”
dedication: no dedication
premiere: April 4th, 2015 by the Illinois State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble; Spring Concert-Normal, IL

 Reciprocity
is a personal reflection on the non-linear way we experience our own accomplishments throughout life. I drew inspiration from the challenge of writing my first large ensemble piece, and more specifically from my insecurity in handling the endless crayon box that is the wind ensemble. This frustration forced me to step back, contemplate, and appreciate my musical experiences and how they equipped me to bridge the initially imperceptible difficulties in writing this piece. In life, there are moments and ‘checkpoints’ where we find significance and recognize our accomplishments. To reflect this, the piece is anchored by frequent moments of clarity. Conversely, the events of our lives that propel us towards our accomplishments are often hidden, unnoticed at the time, or forgotten. In this same vein, the ensemble hides beneath textures created by earlier events that appear and disappear throughout the piece. The final meditation becomes a deepening appreciation for earlier motives-those quiet life events-we hear in the piece, an attempt to evoke the Buddhist sentiment, "The greatest effort is not concerned with results."