Island Time

Tatum Jepson

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Quintet

2026

Alto Flute

Flute

Saxophone

Program Notes: Island Time is of course a saying for the sort of cultural idea of being relaxed, not strained and overall happy with a slow-paced life, and when I first started writing this piece I really only imagined, and had the idea for the middle section of the work that kind of follows this idea. As for the rest of the work, it really ends up turning the entire piece into a sort of narrative structure. The beginning is an energetic and exuberant dance that is similar to the excitement and endless opportunity of a sandy beach on a warm day. As this 'A' section unfolds, and eventually winds down, the saxophone soloist begins to doze off, and it is here that the more typical 'island time' idea sets in - a linear melody overtop of a bed of harmony that is great contrast to the first section. The quartet and soloist slowly come out of their dream state and through a mixed meter section of awakening, are suddenly back to their exuberant, exciting dance from before. This time, instead of dozing off, the music turns to a coda of similar, exciting energy that races towards a big, unison finish.