my moment passed (2024)

Instrumentation: Wind Quintet

Duration: 13’

Movements:

I. creeping determinism

II. compartmentalizing for my own sake

Premiered by OUT Ensemble

Premiered at Stamps Auditorium on the University of Michigan’s North Campus. Apart of Threads Woven: An LGBTQ+ Mental Health Awareness Concert on February 23rd, 2025.

Program Note: "my moment passed" (2024) for Wind Quintet is a thirteen-minute, two-movement work that initially references the annual carnival tradition and the thought of missing that universally accepted moment of brevity. However, as I began to sketch this piece, I realized that the title holds more personal significance. "my moment passed" became about my apprehension surrounding making any part of my life public, particularly my sexuality. The last five years have been daunting, with my only response to this realization being the suppression of all emotions. I can count on both hands the number of people who know aspects of my personal life, and the idea of becoming public about these aspects grows more confusing and complex each year. After going through all the stages of grief and years of striving to be proud of myself, I have yet to address this compositionally. Writing this piece was cathartic, providing me the space to recapture how I worked through everything independently, along with the pitfalls of that method.

Recorded by University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, & Dance

Premiere at Threads Woven: An LGBTQ+ Mental Health Awareness Concert

OUT Ensemble

Alan Cook, Flute

Abigail Bracken, Oboe, English Horn

Sophia Bracken, Clarinet in Bb

Jenna Stokes, Horn in F

David Michael, Bassoon

Lauren Blair Smith Dance Company

Lauren Blair Smith & Katherine Kiessling, dance