Overture no. 1 "The Analemma
for orchestra
Op. 32 (2025)

I wrote this piece during the Summer of 2025 for the Benedictine College-Atchison Community Orchestra, which I conduct here in Kansas. The orchestra has a rich history of playing many of the most important symphonic works from the canon, but considerably less experience performing contemporary music. After taking the post, I pledged that all programs would feature at least one work by a living composer.

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One of the best ways to fulfill this was for me to write a piece myself, and it offered me a chance to also craft my first mature work for large ensemble. I enjoyed being able to write for an ensemble I knew well, and finding the ways to create a work that belonged to the sound world of today's orchestra music, without being either incoherent for the average audience or overwhelming for the musicians.

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The piece essentially functions as a double Theme and Variations, with two different musics that take turns morphing in and out of each other, changing with each rotation.