“The Fair Hero,” composed for brass ensemble, was originally intended for wind band. I started this piece in 2014, working on it from time to time until it was completed in 2016. However, I was not completely satisfied with that rendition and decided to shelve it for the time being. In 2018, I revised the wind band piece and fashioned it for brass ensemble in order to enter the Fredericksburg Brass (now the Brass Institutes of America) composition competition. It was selected as the winning composition and premiered at Riverbend High School.
“The Fair Hero” is about just that- a hero on a journey. And like most heroes, they face trials, disappointment, failure, and grief. But they also seek redemption and the chance to triumph over all of the fears and obstacles that once stood in the way. We are all heroes on our own journey, and I hope that this piece exemplifies the glimmer of hope that keeps us moving forward in this odyssey of life.
Instrumentation: Bb Trumpet (4), Flugelhorn (2), Horn in F (4), Trombone (2), Bass Trombone (1), Euphonium (2), Tuba (1)