Mission to Mars

Mission to Mars invokes the wonder of what it might be like to journey to the fourth planet from the sun, the "Red Planet," which has captured the imagination of stargazers for thousands of years. It is exciting to think one among us may someday reach the planet that has inspired mythology, driven technological advances, and emboldened our quest into "the final frontier." Mission to Mars broadens horizons with original melodies and contemporary harmonies, while paying homage to interstellar themed masterworks that have come before. The piece was commissioned for the Vienna Summer Strings 2019 tribute to outer space. It is dedicated to the director, teachers, and students of the program. May their imaginations be as ever expansive as the universe. The divisi sections in Mission to Mars may either be played outside/inside or more advanced/less advanced. If divided by ability level, top part players should alternate stands with lower part performers for a more unified sound. For rehearsal (and even performance) purposes, use a pencil instead of a bow in the col legno battuto passages. If there are advanced cellists in need of a challenge, measures 4-9 provide an 8va option. The Violin I lower part in measures 26-27 is intended to be played as an open harmonic A, but can be played closed on the E string if shifting to the harmonic proves to be too much of a technical challenge.