Trajectory

Exciting and uplifting, this energetic work celebrates the efforts of band directors to put their students on a trajectory to success. As in the old adage about how to get to Carnegie Hall, this grade 2.5 piece should motivate the young musicians to practice, practice, practice, while the music remains accessible to ensembles with a wide variety of skill levels within the band. Composer's Note: This composition was commissioned by the Pershing Middle School Band in Springfield, Missouri to honor the career of their former director, Elizabeth Loudis. I had known of her work as a band director for many years, but it was not until one of my children was in her band that I came to truly appreciate the high level of music education she provided to her students. Her expectations for what the students should be able to achieve were high, and the high quality of the performances by all of her bands clearly demonstrated the positive response by the students to what she was asking them to do. In this way, she put every student on a trajectory to reach the highest level of musical skill of which they were capable, and the title of this composition is meant to reflect that. This music is designed to reflect the spirit of an exceptional director who found ways to get the most out her students as they progressed on their musical journeys.