Joe Stollery

This is a short, light, and simple piece in a show-like style for concert band that has been designed in five flexible parts with percussion.

At the time of writing, the world has been going through a crisis where many people have been forced to stay apart for their own health, and so the title refers to ideas suggesting hope and freedom that we should all in general look forward to when the pandemic is over and restrictions have finally been lifted. These prospects naturally strive to be reflected in the music.

The main melody is loosely inspired by that of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, a song associated with coming together in celebration, and thus appropriate to the nature of this piece. The tonality bases itself on F major, with only a few harmonic modulations, focused mainly in the middle section. I have also made use of a few motifs which occur every so often, including a fanfare-like figure at the very start which could suggest sunbeams.

PERFORMANCES:

Première: 1 April 2022 - Music Hall, Aberdeen - University of Aberdeen Concert Band (dir. Sam Paul)