- Program Notes
- "Descent" is dedicated to Erin Crumb, a family member of mine who unexpectedly passed away in early 2020. While I only got to meet her a few times, her radiant persona left strong impressions on me - impressions that I never got to learn more about due to her untimely passing. Her memory still often brings images into my mind, to an extent completely disproportionate to how well I knew her before she died. I knew my first band piece - my first large-ensemble work, had to be about her and what she went through in her life, despite knowing little about it. "Descent" is through-composed and includes fanfare, trial, hardship, optimism, pessimism, euphoria and despair.
Erin had a daughter, Brooklyn, who was only two years old at the time of Erin's passing. She's a beautiful girl, just like her mom, who I am always thrilled to see when I am able to visit my home state of Nebraska. I dedicate this piece not just to Erin's memory, but to Brooklyn and her future, which I know will be bright.
