Receiving a commission from a superior civic ensemble such as the Springboro Wind Symphony to compose a spirited opening work for a premiere performance at The Midwest Clinic is a fantastic opportunity and certainly a high honor.  In my initial discussions with conductor Josh Baker, I found out that Springboro, Ohio was founded near natural springs.  All sorts of images came to mind tied to the use of the word "spring" that meshed well with the general goals of a concert opener.  Various sections of music developed from thinking about these situations and states of energy, and the work has section headings as follows:

The Promise of Spring
Spring to Life
Spring into Action
Spring Water
Spring to Mind
Spring Wound Tight
Spring in Your Step
The Promise of Spring
Spring Forward
(spring chicken?)

This is not a programmatic work; rather, it’s a collection of materials that developed from a few basic progressions, rhythmic impulses and melodic ideas, all influenced by the notion of “spring” in its many forms.

Spring Forward was commissioned by the Springboro Wind Symphony for its 2024 performance at The Midwest Clinic.  The premiere was led by conductor Josh Baker on December 18, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

SPRING FORWARD

There is a challenge found in each opportunity to create a new composition. I found that I resonated strongly with the commission from Seton Hill University to bring music to life that might celebrate a wonderfully meaningful career of a beloved music professor. "Liberalitatis Celebranda" is dedicated to Professor Kathleen Campbell in celebration of her 41 years of service to Seton Hill University and the immeasurable impact she had on the music department, the music education community, and the lives of her students. 

Kathy Campbell and I led similar lives professionally and are close in age. Having just retired myself at the end of the school year immediately prior to writing this work, it was easy to connect with her situation. We were both band directors who returned to our undergraduate institution to lead their band program for decades, as well as teach other music courses and lessons. The special events one encounters upon retirement, the many moments of saying to oneself, “that’s the last time I’ll do that” (either regretfully or thankfully – think meetings and paperwork, not making music!), and the warm reconnections with former students and colleagues during a final year were still quite fresh for me, as were the many memories that came from looking back over a career as a music educator and band director. I set out to compose music that might capture the energy and depth of the experience found in a life as a musician in academia. The alto saxophone, Professor Campbell’s instrument of choice, is intentionally featured as this work bustles with activity and purpose, as well as calms during nostalgic reflection. 

The Latin title "Liberalitatis Celebranda" can be paraphrased as meaning “a generosity of spirit needing to be celebrated.” Kathy Campbell certainly gave of herself unselfishly over and over again in helping to build the fine musical tradition at Seton Hill University. Just imagine the many lives that she has touched over her career! It is indeed most appropriate to celebrate this generous sharing of her artistry, teaching, and visionary leadership. 

This is the recording of the work's premiere.

LIBERALITATIS CELEBRANDA - MAHR

As a trombonist, I had long thought of creating a feature work for this wonderfully expressive instrument, but for some reason (a sense of inadequacy, most likely), I had shied away from the task. Who would I be kidding — what might I be able to add to its repertoire? The thought was exciting and intimidating.

In our initial discussion about this commission for the United States Air Force Band (my second opportunity to write for this world-class ensemble), its former Commander and Conductor, Col Larry Lang, and I discussed the possibility of writing a work that would feature MSgt Matthew Nudell as the soloist. I was fortunate to make music with Matt (2001-2005) when he was a trombone performance major at St. Olaf College, an institution now quite proud of his accomplishments, especially his membership in the USAF Band.

It was on a trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior with our family that I found the head and heart space necessary to discern the musical ideas that might be developed into this work — a composition that would allow a very fine trombonist’s musicianship to really shine while sharing sincere, meaningful music. In talking with Matt, we both decided that instead of employing the usual pyrotechnics found in so many feature works of late, we would rather explore the instrument's lyrical side. As the title suggests, a listener will hopefully hear a cry and sense a dream. Cries and dreams are common to all of us, and perhaps the listener will relate to this music on personal and universal levels.

This recording features SMSgt Matthew Nudell, trombone with the United States Air Force Band, Captain Brandon R. Hults, conductor.

Upon the suggestion of Col Don Schofield, Commander of the United States Air Force Band, this work is dedicated to those and their families who serve. My father served in the USAF — I was happy to accept this recommendation.

a plaintive cry, a hopeful dream - Timothy Mahr

There is a challenge found in each opportunity to create a new composition. I found "Timely Virtues" presents music created to encourage thinking and engagement among the performers and listeners on aspects of being a well-grounded individual. The four-movement suite also allows for the performance of individual movements as desired.  
 
What does it mean to have courage and confidence when facing the challenges of today’s world? How important is it to be able to listen and change, or to be introspective and joyous? How can one display determination and drive and why might these virtues be important? I’m hopeful that rehearsal time might be devoted to a discussion of the virtues alluded to in the music.  

Commissioned by Minnesota Junior Winds, Dr. Charles Weise and Geneva Fitzsimonds, directors 


Timely Virtues - Mahr

SPRING FORWARD was commissioned by the Springboro Wind Symphony for their 2024 performance at The Midwest Clinic. I was fortunate to be in the hall for their pre-concert soundcheck, conducted by Josh Baker. I pulled out my phone to record it, thinking I'd catch a few excerpts - they ran the whole piece! No one else in the hall yet. What a treat.  Here it is.  More info on the piece in the comments.

SPRING FORWARD Soundcheck at Midwest

This work was commissioned by Bruce Perkins in memory of his father, Douglas Davies Perkins (1931–2023), and he shared the following thoughts:

The original concept for UNDYING came from an old College song, Dartmouth Undying, which expresses the love of the ethos of a place frozen in time, where the love of learning and exploring is eternal. This always seemed at the core of my father’s belief system. He was a strong believer in a liberal arts education and the undying love of humanity that resulted from it. It is also a way of eternally remembering a man who spent his life in the service of others.

The work UNDYING is an affirmation of the belief that leading a principled life is paramount, and that a well-rounded liberal arts education is a direct and effective way to accomplish this.

The work opens with sighs – a response to the challenges of life, the loss of a father, the state of the world…  What follows is a journey through moments of glorious accomplishment interrupted by periods of frustration and impediment   the former grounded in learning from our collective histories and cultures; the latter caring not for timing, coming suddenly with great disruption or overwhelming slowly with an alarming power.

Ending with an optimistic sense of hope for a better future, there still remains a presence of this eternal back and forth as the music fades from perception. 

This work is also a meditation on how loved ones who have passed on still remain vibrant in our thinking, our dreams, our souls.

a plaintive cry, a hopeful dream - Timothy Mahr

Timothy Mahr

Related tracks