December Sky

'On a crisp, cold night in December, she gazes upward and stands in awe of the heavens. She realizes that the earth is only a tiny part of something greater.' This scenario provides the backdrop for this composition, which wasinspired by the night sky as viewed by my six-year-old from our home in Louisiana. It begins with the theme in the clarinets. The rest of the ensemle gradually reveals itself, as if one discovers a star not previously noticed inthe sky. The music reaches its climax at measure 34, where we are humbled by the sheer multitude of stars in the sky and realize our place in the universe. The piece ends with twinkling stars portrayed in the flute, oboe,clarinet,and bells.