While I was studying at the University of Rhode Island, the university percussion ensemble did a collaborative concert to premiere new pieces written by the composition studio. This piece is the culmination of a semester-long collaboration between myself and the percussion ensemble. I draw a lot of inspiration from my Scottish and Irish heritage, and I wanted to pay homage to two folk songs from those traditions that have left a large impact on my life. These two tunes are “Marie’s Wedding” and the “Swallowtail Jig” which are both interwoven throughout the different sections of the piece before being combined into one single musical idea. The piece is named “Solas” after the Irish word for light as I wanted to create a light, bright-sounding, piece that is as enjoyable to listen to as it is to play.

 

Solas was written for the University of Rhode Island’s Percussion Ensemble and premiered during their Homegrown concert on December 2, 2018.