Luster

Commissioned for the 40th anniversary of the Rutgers University Alumni Wind Symphony, Luster encapsulates the vibrant spirit of band music and its variety. Majestic swells alternate with intricate dancing lines, from which the piece blooms into sweeping full-ensemble gestures. Fanfarish interjections hearken to tradition while other sections set their own grooves; meanwhile, sparkling textures shimmer overhead, evoking the glittering sheen the title alludes to. While lighthearted at moments and grand at others, most of all the piece is undeniably triumphant, a commemoration of 40 years' worth of musicians whose love of music extended far beyond their college years.