Extinction Events

This piece was written as a submission to the International Clarinet Association's 2018 Composition Competition. Scored for 3 Bb clarinets and 1 bass clarinet, it is a four movement work lasting about 11 minutes for very advanced players. The movements are: Buzzy Delights (Honey Bees), It Isn't Easy Being a Cuckoo, Walrus Jump, and Yaguarete Surprise (Argentine Jaguar). Each movement imagines a different animal or insect living in its habitat as it gradually deteriorates. The habitat changes are depicted by gradual use of unstable scales, and the sometimes hidden ancient tune of the "Dies Irae," the Day of Wrath. Written to highlight the need for humans to be watchful of wildlife habitats because we are all in this limited world together.