Celtic Odyssey

Chris Hass

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Wind Ensemble

2021

8 min.

Program Notes: Celtic Odyssey was written for the Gateway Community Band in memory of Darren Acton, a former percussionist in the group and a well known and loved member of the Clare, MI community in large. The piece sets out to be both an upbeat celebration of life and a more reflective view of our place on this earth. Darren's loving nickname of 'Leprechaun' in the Scottville Clown Band, and the premiere date being at the 2022 Clare Irish Festival, incited the idea of taking inspiration from traditional Irish music. The material jumps between several different types of Irish-inspired styles and techniques, opening with an imitation of the highly embellished sounding Sean-nós singing and building to lively reels and jigs. At the heart of this piece is a lyrical folk-style ballad, first found independent of the preceding styles but later interacting with the more active themes to create a powerful and moving finale.