The Eyes that Hold the Stars for wind ensemble and electronics (2022) - 8.5'
Commissioned by the Dobyns-Bennett High School Bands
Lafe Cook, Director of Bands
Level: Advanced
Premiere: April 29th, 2022
Tennessee Music Educators Association Conference
Dobyns-Bennett High School Wind Ensemble
Lafe Cook, Conductor
Reference Recording:
Dobyns-Bennett High School Wind Ensemble
Lafe Cook, Conductor
Program Notes:
"her eyes hold the pale moon in them, the way a still pond holds stars..."
—Katherine Applegate
There is no greater joy in my life than being a dad. I think teachers find the most personal and professional satisfaction in watching students discover something new or grasp a concept for the first time. That feeling is exponentially greater when it is my own children. Little kids have a limitless imagination, and they are able to craft entire worlds out of the simplest of ideas. When I read the above quote from Katherine Applegate's novel, The One and Only Ivan, it immediately made me think of how much I love watching my kids explore the world for the first time.
When Lafe Cook asked me to write a new piece for their state convention performance, I knew I wanted to take the opportunity to experiment and craft something with the staff and students, as I have already spent so much time working with the Dobyns-Bennett band program. Electronics and synthesized sounds are certainly not new in the world of music composition and performance, but they are pretty new to me as the one tasked with creating and programming the effects. My love for the music of film, television, and video games is heavily influenced by the use of unique textures, both acoustic and electronic, that allow the listener to depart from their current reality. For this particular piece, I wanted to do my best to capture the child-like curiosity and wonderment that I witness in my children.
Lafe and I share a lot of qualities; we love great food, nice clothes, teaching high school kids, and being dads. One of the best parts of our professional collaboration is that we have been able to build a personal connection and trust that informs and influences our professional interactions. We have watched each other’s kids grow up, and I have both personally and professionally grown up quite a bit since we started working together. I consider The Eyes that Hold the Stars to be a celebration of this collaboration, as well as a celebration of our wonderful families.
