Kevin McKee, "Centennial Horizons"
Centennial Horizons
I. Aspen Grove
Interlude – Aspenglow
II. Roaring Gunnison
Kevin McKee
Born: 1980, Yreka, California
Composed: 2012
Arranged: Kevin McKee, David Miller
Original Instrumentation: Trumpet and Piano
Duration: 12 minutes
The composer writes,
When Catherine Sheridan first wrote to me about composing a piece for trumpet and piano, my first thoughts were of my late grandmother, Gertrude, who was always suggesting that I write a piece with Colorado as the subject. She loved that state. And while she lived most of her life in California, she always longed to go back to Colorado amongst the quaking aspens, the mountains, the rivers, and the vibrant colors. I have at last taken her up on her suggestion referencing the “Centennial State,” a nickname given to Colorado for being inducted into the Union one hundred years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With two contrasting movements (Aspen Grove and Roaring Gunnison), connected by an interlude (Aspenglow), I have attempted to capture some of the beauty and adventure of what truly is an amazing place. The first movement in particular is an homage to her.
Centennial Horizon was later arranged for wind ensemble and solo trumpet at the behest of a consortium of university and community wind ensembles, including the University of Maryland Wind Orchestra and the Maryland Community Band.
Kevin McKee, Centennial Horizion
Atlanta Wind Symphony, David Kelher, conductor
Douglas Lindsey, trumpet
Kevin McKee, Centennial Horizion
Christopher Wilson, trumpet
Lauren Schack Clark, piano
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