Into the Heart of the Earth (2014/2016) for winds, brass, bass, piano, percussion is work commissioned by Crystal Cove Alliance and Laguna Beach Foundation, and the Mansour Family for the opening of the Bern Environmental Study Loop and the outdoor Amphitheater on the ocean in the Laguna Beach Coastal Canyons.  The larger concert version of the work was completed in 2016 and features an expanded wind section. This full concert band version was premiered by Cal State Fullerton Symphonic Winds, Patricia Cornett, Conductor, November 16, 2016.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park lies within some of the last remaining coastal canyons in Southern California. Forty miles of trails lead the visitor through oak and sycamore woodlands and up onto ridges with expansive scenic ocean vistas. Rocky bluffs tower above the canyon trails. As guest commissioned composer in residence at Crystal Cove State Park I have hiked the vast network of trails to listen and document the experience of this environment to create new site-specific spatialized work for the opening of the new Amphitheater nestled within the coastal canyons, overlooking the ocean.

The movements can be performed as stand alone works (c. 5' each), or as part of set of two movements (c. 10') or the entire 3-movement work (c. 15')

I. Faraway (within) is inspired by the poem by the American author Louisa May Alcott: “ Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." The work begins with a call and response theme in the winds—echoing back and forth, as one is testing the waters on a journey faraway, then is encountered with a loud interruption of the fear theme as one embarks on the journey. At the climax of this journey, the Louisa May Alcott theme appears and serves as retransition to a recapitulation of the first themes. At the recap the initial “Fear theme” is changed into an “own your own fear” theme as the journey is completed and one arrives at the coda—an expansive massive tutti bell-like Faraway (within) celebrating the arrival at the ocean’s edge and looking out at the vast expanse of the horizon.

II. Dare to Dream is inspired by my daughter, Olympic Gold Medalist, Water polo player from Laguna Beach, Stanford University, and Stanford Medical School Graduate.  Inspired by her motto that she embraced in her arduous path: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” by Eleanor Roosevelt. The work tries to capture the sense of anticipation, determination, exuberance and innocence of youth and excitement of embarking on a journey. For me this journey captures that spirit of my daughter, as one of youngest members of Team USA at the 2012 Olympic games. The work was featured on concerts in our hometown of Laguna Beach, at the Laguna Playhouse, and also performed by Laguna Concert Band at Segerstrom Hall and nominated for Laguna Beach Art Star Award.

III. Silent Sounding Stars was inspired by Crystal Cove State Park at sunset. The glorious unfolding of colors, deepening of the skies and appearance of the stars each night is represented by the massive rich chorale melody accompanied by glistening star motives and a lullaby melody based on the traditional American folk song lullaby By’m Bye that pioneers would sing to their children to quiet their fears by counting stars as they crossed the vast open expanses of the great plains. The melody is interrupted by scary sounds in the dark, and then gradually unwinds as the massive sunset chord isappear and we are left with just the shining star and the stillness of the comfort of the sounds of the night. This work later became inspiration for my NEA, New Music USA and Los Angeles Audience Choice Award-winning work: ORATORIO FOR THE EARTH (2022).

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