Oct. 2019 - Feb. 2020 (for brass quintet)The playoff game on Halloween of 2019 - fighting for the goal to break the tie that had all of us on edge throughout the whole 80 minute game, plus the 20 minute overtime. Recalling August 19th, the beginning of all of the running, the practices in the rain, the kicking of the ball on mud, and the coming together of the team began, we fought for victory,…

Nov. 2019 (for string quartet)Look Up was inspired by a car ride to NYC for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with my parents. Surrounded by soft music, I was nodding off, until the car jolted over a bump. Ahead, above, and all around us, I saw the beautiful tints of orange, yellow, and pink being painted on the light blue canvas. The sky was glowing with vibrant, breathtaking intensity, and…

July 2019 (for two violins, piano & snare drum)Chess is a board game of strategic skill for two players, played on a checkered board. Each player begins the game with sixteen pieces that are moved and used to capture opposing pieces according to precise rules, with the object of putting the opponent’s king under a direct attack from which escape is impossible. In this piece, the two violins fight…

June 2019 (for brass quintet)This brass quintet piece illustrates the busy place with constant interactions between people and food – the pizzeria. The opening imitates a call that I have recorded between me as the customer placing an order and the worker of a pizza place in town. And a few fictional dialogues are included throughout the pieces as well, although of course, the listener will never…

April 2019 (for woodwind quintet)Hypocrisy is defined as ‘a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.’ This piece illustrates the hypocritical characteristics of people, ideas, and other subjects using contrasting materials of music. There may be a variety of interpretations of who or what the subject is, and each…

March 2019 (for brass quintet)The energy of the brass instruments motivated me to write a lively piece, and when I was trying to decide on the theme, I thought of ostriches and their spirit. Ostriches are fascinating animals; they are the largest birds in the world with long legs and necks and cannot fly. I watched as many ostrich videos as brass quintet repertoires to prepare for this piece. Did…

Jan. 2019 (for string quartet)"Blustery Day" was written after being motivated to write a piece about wind while going on a walk on a frigid, windy day; the title was inspired by a phrase from one of the tales of Winnie the Pooh later on. The piece illustrates the transformation of the wind, from a breeze to a gust of wind. The calmness at the beginning represents a gentle breeze, and the…