Program Notes:

To Find Oneself - Blood, Sweat, and Tears

The five movement symphony for large orchestra embodies the journey of building self-reliance, maintaining hope, and capturing dreams with the help of family and friends, but also stressing the importance of self-acceptance in becoming the best vision of yourself. In the first movement, the idea of a dream is illustrated as waves of inspiration that build onto each other, carried by the Horn section which represents the center voice of the protagonist with this dream in mind. The Horn section continues to be the voice of the protagonist for the rest of the piece, with the woodwinds serving as the outside supporting voices of friends and family and the brass serving as the protagonist’s subconscious. 
	Transitioning into movement two, the listener begins the journey with the protagonist. Minor conflicts rise and resolve and then open into movement three with the cello solo and string section feature representing the complex and emotional pulse of time that the protagonist is experiencing. After the string feature, a heartbeat is introduced in the percussion, synced with the breaths of the rest of the voices until a major climax and the protagonist realises their potential. Their breaths and heartbeats calm and focus on the work to come, now emotionally changed and truly prepared for the rest of the journey.
	The fourth movement centers on time and preparation. The percussion section drives the flow and momentum for the rest of the ensemble until all that is left is time and the protagonists voice and mind. By now the groove of success has built its foundation and the protagonist starts running with the fast rhythms. Post the feature Horn solo, all the voices join in to work together stronger than ever, until, finally, the dream is made a reality. The work is done, and the ostinato from the first movement is reintroduce for the fifth movement. Reflecting back on all that has been accomplished, the protagonist sees the dream no longer as a goal but now an integral part of their person, and they have never been more excited.

An Ocean of Whales - The Power of the Sea

Ninety-five percent of the world's oceans are completely unexplored. The very thought of so much unknown in out backyard can terrify us, but also intrigue us with the potential greatness and power the unknown can hold. Join the sailors and divers and look into the depths of the ocean where whales and even larger life roams, in the beautifully powerful abyss. 

The Woods

When overcome with questions of self-worth and feelings of isolation, it’s easy to feel as though your own home is no longer a place for you, but take a deeper look and you’ll realize that home is not defined by the four walls that surround you but by the love and piece you find that defines you. The Woods are a symbol of natural serenity, and though you might not find peace among the trees, this piece shows that all love and piece starts with your own inner self. All you have to do to find it, to find “home,” is breathe. “Just. Breathe.”

To Find Oneself

The Woods

An Ocean Of Whales

Live in the moment, because you never know when it might be over.

Ryan Meredith 5