Instrumentation: Orchestra: 1/1/1/1; 1/1/0/0; percussion; strings
Year Composed: 2021
Commissioned By: Kamloops Symphony
The Wild Orchestra was a title suggested by KSO music director Dina Gilbert in our conversations about me writing the piece for a family/educational concert.
At the beginning of the piece, “the mighty beast” slumbers. The oboe and strings attempt to awaken the full orchestra, with varying responses from a few instruments. Then, suddenly we get a brief fanfare and the orchestra is fully awake. An energetic, driving rhythm depicts “the mighty beast” going out on a hunt. Just as suddenly, it is time for a nap, and the piece ends.