Scene from a Crowded Dance (2021)
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Instrumentation: Clarinet, saxophone, viola, percussion (congas, cowbell, maracas, splash cymbal, tambourine)
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Description: I started this piece as a depiction of a scene from a novel I started writing this fall. This scene was inspired by a memory I had of a particularly loud and crowded concert I went to. For me, and Rebecca, the main character in my novel, this created a sensory overload that I had to get out of, and luckily, I had my understanding friends to help. I understand that for many people this seems like a minor thing; but I feel this really showed me the importance of having people to help you through any anxieties or insecurities you may be having.
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The piece is broken into three sections. It begins with Rebecca walking with her friends through the quiet night towards the concert. I quoted bits of a theme I wrote for her in the past. The second section is the dance, and while it contains tricky rhythms, the whole ensemble is mostly playing in rhythmic unison. I thought this could represent Rebecca’s friends being there for her when it turns out she does not enjoy the crowded dance. The final section ends the dance somewhat abruptly, as they leave it behind and head back through the quiet night.