Dark Storm Impressions

In 2022, I wrote a work entitled “Obsidian Inferno” for Trombone Choir (now published under C Sharpe Editions). A year later, the piece was chosen as a winner of the 2023 University of Southern Mississippi’s Trombone Day Call for Scores and premiered at the event. Upon hearing this news, Dr. Zacharella immediately expressed interest in commissioning me to compose a trombone work of some sort. Fast forward to today, and this piece is the result of that commission. The piece was written with the idea of creating an accessible trombone work suitable for collegiate-level players. It starts very dramatically with a large thunderous bang, and as the ensemble accompanies, the two solo trombones engage in a conversation-like figure that winds down to the first statement of the main theme, which will be developed throughout the course of the piece. As the two trombones play with and converse with both each other and the ensemble, the piece becomes stormier and more intense. Then after another restatement of the beginning material, we slowly come to the end of the storm, where calming major harmonies fill the hall and end the piece. The piano reduction of this work would be completely suitable for a chamber recital, a duet feature to showcase your ability to musically converse with another player in a mature way to convey the storm of this piece. This version for wind ensemble is perfect for showing how you can balance your playing with an entire ensemble behind you to create something very dramatic, powerful, and musical. - Trenton Rhodes, 2025