Boundary Layer

Boundary Layer was commissioned by Chase The Music for Colton Whisler. Colton has grown up around flying and needs to fly. His grandparents manage a small town airport. His father is a commercial 747 pilot, a helicopter pilot and a member of the Air National Guard. In 2018 4-year-old Colton was diagnosed with brain cancerParameningeal Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Boundary Layer was composed to lift Colton's spirit and celebrate his spirit. A boundary layer is the barrier between two layers that don't mix (think of oil sitting on top of water). In aerodynamics it refers to the buildup of air pressure on the wing and body of the plane. It's a big part of calculating drag and controlling turbulence. The title Boundary Layer was chosen because of its blatant aeronautical importance and because of its reference to unmixed layers. The music describes his battle with terminal cancer and the hope he has as he transitions through the boundary layer. And he'll be doing it flying, of course. He soars. The piece was premiered along with original aerobatic choreography by pilot Bob Freeman. Bob is a former member of the US Unlimited Aerobatic Team and has competed internationally. Bob says, "As a cancer survivor I think back to my own journey and the uncertainty and doubt about the long term outcome. Boundary Layer makes me think of this boundless, unbounded path." To view Bob's flight to the music visit https://youtu.be/WGjApXbHSjM.