Lateral Perspectives was commissioned by the Lakeridge High School Wind Ensemble (Lake Oswego, Oregon) for director Rick Tippets on the occasion of his 31st and final season as director of bands. In honor of his retirement, Lateral Perspectives obtains its pitch materials almost exclusively from words and phrases associated with the band director, including his name and the name of "Lakeridge" High School.

The work's arch form - A B C B A - features stylistic underpinnings of jazz and fusion, a lyrical, harmonically dense ballad, and a lively pentatonic dance - all a reflection of Rick's vibrant musical personality. It should be noted here that the composer was a freshman at Lakeridge High School during Rick's "freshman" year 31 years prior to the composing of this work! Composer, Kevin Walczyk, is honored to have been asked to compose a work for his former High School music teacher. It was Rick Tippets that gave Walczyk ample opportunities to compose and arrange during his formative years at Lakeridge.