Commissioned in honor of Allan McMurray, by dear friends, in celebration of 35 years of teaching and service at the College of Music, University of Colorado.  Premiered on the occasion of Maestro McMurray's final concert as Director of Bands - April 21, 2013

With Wings Like Eagles

With Wings Like Eagles carries deep personal meaning.  It was written in honor of my dear friend, Maestro Allan McMurray, and his 35 years of teaching, leadership, and service at the College of Music, University of Colorado.  Allan’s legacy includes many fine conductors who were once his students, countless performers who matured in his ensembles, hundreds of fine concerts, numerous premieres and recordings, and tireless leadership among colleagues.  Beyond these accomplishments, Allan has been a close musical collaborator for the last eight years.  It is a joy to put a new score into Allan’s hands and watch him bring it to life with his ensemble.  He is generous and collaborative, and strives to reveal the best qualities of the music.  I was honored to write a new piece for Allan McMurray’s final concert as Director of Bands at the University of Colorado College of Music, and I am grateful to his many dear friends who contributed towards the commission.

With Wings Like Eagles unfolds in one long arch from beginning to end.  It is filled with soaring melodies that gradually build one upon the next as the music moves towards a grand hymn at the climax.  The softer sections are characterized by subtle blurring of instrumental color against high shimmering chords in the percussion, and deep, resonant chords in the low brass.  Although the piece reaches soaring heights punctuated with ribbons of descending scales, it ends in the soft subtleties and simple solos from the beginning.  The serene epilogue ends with an unresolved high note suggesting the song continues even though it has disappeared into the horizon.

This piece is also inspired by the memory of my mother, who passed away January 26, 2013.  Although the piece was already underway when this tragedy struck, the piece took on new meaning when I returned to it following her death.  The title and musical ideas naturally lent themselves to a musical benediction for my mother.  I reflected on the joy I experienced by witnessing the soaring beauty of her life.  And now I imagine her spirit continuing to soar as it is freed from a failing earthly body.