Left of Boom

Left of Boom is a military and intelligence agency term referring to the period of time leading up to an event, often the detonation of a bomb or the carrying out of an attack. As opposed to "right of boom" (which is after the attack - based on a left to right timeline), "left of boom" is a critical period for gathering intelligence and preventing a disaster. The term was popularized by Washington Post writer Rick Atkinson. 

Left of Boom is a work for developing bands, heavily utilizing repeated notes phrases, dynamic contrast, and minor modality, while maintaining ranges, rhythms and tempi appropriate for student musicians.