When first approached for this project in mid-2008, I was apprehensive about taking it on. In my mind I was thinking, “How am I ever going to write a piece that lives up to Dr. David Circle’s amazing career?” However, after meeting with him and learning about his incredible story, an idea for a piece popped into my head. Using his name as inspiration, I came up with the title “Circles.”

     Over the next month or so, I was constantly brainstorming ideas for what was to comprise the piece. Since it was entitled “Circles,” I decided that the music should portray different circles of sound, in essence, many different movements based on circular themes. After this structure was laid out, I set to contemplating all the phrases I could think of that related in some way to circles in order to name the movements and have some musical blueprint to base my ideas on.

     The 1st idea that immediately came to me was that of a drum circle. This got my mind thinking abstractly about the title “Circles.” I entertained the thoughts of surrounding the audience with sound. Soon after, I was drafting, (on a sheet of paper in the back of my school planner), the layout of the percussion instruments for the first movement of the piece. Other abstract ideas that appear in the piece include a chorale based on the circle of fifths and groups of instruments shaped like circles playing in unison. After these ideas came to fruition, the other movements popped up. Endless Circle, Vicious Circle, Circle of Faith, and Full Circle all provided unique musical opportunities whilst maintaining an element of cohesion within the circular thematic structure.

     Endless Circle starts with crystal water glasses played by all of the brass. The high harmonics created by these instruments gives a sense of weightlessness to the piece. The piano and vibraphone play dreamlike figures until the incessant but not driving eighth note pulse is established in the orchestra. Flowing melodies and a beautiful clarinet solo carry the music through many variations. Throughout almost the entire movement, the eighth note pulse never ceases. The movement ends with the crystal water glasses as the 2nd violins fade away into the abyss.

     Vicious Circle was flat out the most difficult movement to write. As a composer, fast music presents a significant and unique challenge. You must keep the pace of the music upbeat but not bore the listener with the same material and repeating figures. It must constantly change texture and color; otherwise, the effect is lost. All of this while trying to keep the tempo up with exciting figures and passages for the instruments. Phew! I thoroughly enjoy the unremitting quality of this movement and am glad I was able to complete it. Don’t get too comfortable there are many musical surprises in this movement.

     Circle of Faith was the most meaningful movement for me to write. Dr. Circle is a religious man and has a deep history in the church. While meeting, he told me of a time when he played the hymn “Blessed Assurance,” on trumpet, by himself, in the back of the church for the whole congregation. So, one of the elements of the piece, from the beginning was an offstage trumpet solo. I wanted to retell this story from his childhood and thus in this movement you will hear this tale retold. Various hymns present themselves and are accompanied by the “Doxology.” It is as if the souls of those gone by are whispering to us. It is my wish that you enjoy this concert experience.

     I am honored to have the privilege of writing this piece. It was a long, arduous process, but also an extremely rewarding one. I thank Dr. David Circle for his dedication to music and to education. This one’s for you…