True Things

Instrumentation
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1 & 2
F Horn 3 & 4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Timpani (Suspended Cymbal, Triangle)
Percussion 1 (Bells, Crotales)
Percussion 2 (Vibraphone)
Percussion 3 (Chimes, Suspended Cymbal)
Percussion 4 (Concert Bass Drum, Wind Chimes, Shaker)

Program Notes
Originally a marimba & vibraphone duet written as a wedding gift for my friends Michael & Sara Wood, True Things was inspired by the poem and beautiful watercolor print of the same title by StoryPeople creator Brian Andreas. This poem poignantly captures the essence of two people starting their lives together and looking forward to what the future holds.

"True Things" by Brian Andreas
They came to sit and dangle their feet
off the edge of the world
And after awhile they forgot everything
but the good and true things they would do someday.

In 2009, a colleague and I performed the original duet version of the piece (titled Edge of the World) at the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy. After the performance, Dennis Fisher, who was in attendance, suggested that it would work great as a symphonic band work. It has only taken me 8 years, but I finally got around to adapting it. It is dedicated to Dennis and his wonderful Symphonic Band at the University of North Texas, who performed the world premiere of one of my first works for band, Limerick Daydreams. – NHD