Symphony No. 3: Death Is Nothing At All

SYMPHONY NO. 3 is a collection of four memory spaces honoring friends, colleagues, mentors, and a beloved family pet who have passed from this life. Composed as part of the TENX40 Project wherein the composer aims to complete ten symphonies by the age of 40 this work reflects on themes of the transient nature of our existence, grapples with questions of agency, and the considers the exact moment when we transition from being to not being. Each of the four movements serves as a memorial to those who have deeply influenced the composer's journey: a high school social studies teacher known for treating students equitably with profound respect and dignity; a college professor whose insights expanded students' understanding of their relationship with the world; a mentor who inspired confidence and the courage to pursue professional aspirations; and a cherished family pet whose sudden departure left an indelible mark on the hearts of those they loved. The titles of the movements are drawn from the composer's last conversations with each individual commemorated. The subtitle of the work, "Death Is Nothing At All," is inspired by a speech and poem of the same name by English clergyman Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918). His poignant reflections have offered solace and encouraged the grieving to see life and death as interconnected, rather than opposing states, for more than 100 years. The climactic fourth movement features a narrator reciting this text, delivering a heartfelt "so long, farewell!" to those who shaped the composer's life. While the universal experience of longing for those we've lost is palpable, it is balanced by this idea of continuity how their influence and spirit remain alive within us and in the stories we share. Instrumentation: 3 Fl (pico), Ob, 3 Cl, B. Cl, 2 Bsn, 2 A Sax, T Sax, B Sax, 3 Tpt, 4 Hn, 3 Tbn, Euph, Tba, Cb, Synth, Narrator, Timpani, 6 perc.