HAWK CIRCLE (2015) - for wind quintet and jazz combo

Awards: Downbeat Award (Graduate Winner), NYYS Youth Symphony First Music Jazz Composition Contest (Honorable Mention)

Premiere: Stamps Scholarship Concert, Feb. 3rd, 2015

Duration:  ca. 9 min

Program Note:

Hawk Circle combines jazz and woodwind quintets in a celebratory fanfare with an energetic edge. The primary elements are a tutti section and an orchestrated free melody against blazing fast swing in the rhythm section. These roles are flipped throughout the work, as the rhythm section eventually takes on a free floating role against sustained wind chords and rhythmic writing. Each group are alternatively separated into choirs and combined in subtle and specific ways, allowing for a balanced yet somewhat separated dialog between the two ensembles, which begin as one then break off then return to being one ensemble. The melodies seems to float like hawks on the prowl against a bustling environment. The piece was inspired by my experiences at the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival in 2013 studying with the members of Imani Winds.