The Phoenix Rises (2019 | 7'00") • Grade 3.5
This work is programmatic in nature, telling the story of the lifecycle of the mythical phoenix.
In the opening, we hear a call, awakening the phoenix and calling the bird to take flight through light, lofty, and lively soaring melodies.
As the piece progresses, we hear the tension arising from conflict, and the phoenix takes the next step in its lifecycle - its fiery death. This carries us into the middle section of the work, wherein we mourn the loss of the creature.
A sense of anticipation builds into the final section, in which the bird slowly arises from the ashes and begins life anew, regaining all its splendor and glory.
Immense gratitude and a heart-felt "thank you" is expressed to the members of the commission consortium who lent their support to this project. Without their willingness to join in this project, this piece would not have gotten off the ground, coming alive from simply just the printed page to become the sounding object that is this work of art. Thank you all!
Consortium Members
Mr. Eric Fiero (Quince Orchard High School, Gaithersburg, MD)
Mr. Alex Askew (East Forsyth High School, Kernersville, NC)
Mr. Alex Higgins (Edwards Middle School, Edwards, GA)
Mr. Brian Endlein (Middletown High School, Middletown, DE)
Mr. David Turner (Blacksburg Middle School, Blacksburg, SC)
Mr. Todd Ebert & Mrs. Katie Ebert (Cuthbertson Middle School & High School, Waxhaw, NC)
Mr. Thomas Cheezum (Colonel Richardson High School, Federalsburg, MD)
Mr. Chris Weise (McLean High School, McLean, VA)
Mr. Jarred Matthes (Kittatinny Regional High School, Newton, NJ)
Mr. Jarrett Lipman (Claudia Taylor Johnson High School, San Antonio, TX)
Mr. Evan Berry (Douglas MacArthur High School, San Antonio, TX)