ROMP (2022) for orchestra
Instrumentation: piccolo (doubling flute 2), flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in Bb, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in C, 2 trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion 1 (whip, temple blocks, tubular bells, snare drum), percussion 2 (bass drum, glockenspiel, xylophone, tam-tam, cymbals), harp, strings
Duration: ~4‘30”
Performance/Recording History:
Read and recorded by the 2022 Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute in Lenox, Massachusetts
Performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (cond. Christopher Wilkins) on April 2, 2023 at the NYCC Composium at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, FL
Awards:
Selected as a winner in the 2022 National Young Composers Challenge in the Orchestra division
Program Notes:
Romp is a short fanfare for orchestra which does exactly what its name suggests: roughly and energetically stomps its way from beginning to end. The music is allowed to “play” in a literal sense; it runs jauntily about, jumps and twirls, and takes a moment to catch its breath before wildly sprinting towards the end. The piece takes its inspiration from the innocent and pure act of children’s play, which can and should serve as a reminder to all of us to take a moment to just fool around sometimes.