Euphony for Euphonium Quartet

Euphony can be defined as the use of words and phrases that are distinguished as having a wide range of noteworthy melody or loveliness in the sounds they create. It gives pleasing and soothing effects to the ear due to repeated vowels and smooth consonants. Euphony was chosen as the title of this composition because each movement has a title beginning with "Euph" and the music is descriptive of the movement titles.

The first movement is titled "Euphenism". A euphenism is a polite word or phrase that is substituted for a word or phrase that has a harsher meaning. The music of this movement begins gentler than the way it ends, therefore the beginning can be considered an euphenism for the end.

"Euphrates" is the title of the second movement. This mighty river that flows from Turkey through Syria and Iran was an important river in ancient times for itsextensive irrigation of the Mesopotanian Valley. This movement is both flowing and expansive. "Euphorbia", the title of the third movement, is a genus of flowering plants. It is also caused "Spurge" as it tends to appear where it is not wanted. This movement is a pretty waltz that is constantly interrupted by a dissonant motif. This motif represents the invasive quality of "Spurge."

The last movement is called "Euphoria". It sparkles with its driving rhythms, fast tempo, and syncopation, all representing unbridled joy.