Days

This piece was written for the International Horn Society's 2022 composition contest. It is due on December 1, 2022.

Program notes:

Days begin in darkness and mystery. Shadows stretch across the landscape, only grudgingly giving way to gradual appearance of morning light. The first sounds of birds greet the new day and take flight, replacing the retreating shadows in a wild and glorious crescendo which builds into a full symphonic celebration of life.

Morning light appears gray with a tinge of blue. Then the colors of the morning burst forth. Orange and yellow paint the sky. The sun rises in a spectacular display of magnificence.

Vivid blue sky overtakes the colorful sunrise canvas. Puffy clouds roll in, and hearts swell. Another beautiful day is born. The sights and sounds of life fill the perfectly picturesque scene.

But as with everything, perfection fades. Following closely behind the beautiful blue sky with its marshmallow clouds creeps another sky of gray, bringing the storm clouds, with violent lightning and crashing thunder. Rain falls and cleanses the land, dwindles, and finally abates.

The day retreats slowly. Darkness falls, the moon rises, and the stars come out. Days come and go. Each one gives us another chance for greatness, whether creating a magnificent invention or performing a simple random act of kindness. The final question is, what will we do with each new day?

The composer loves to watch first light and sunrise. Then at the sunset end of another full day, we realize that this day, and each day, is a metaphor for our journey through this life.