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 you know that ostriches can make no vocal noise? They make “booming” noises by inflating their necks. 

In Ostrich March, an ostrich takes a wild journey and explores the life of “chaotic happiness.” During the piece, it falls asleep and dreams about flying through the clouds, and later participates in a race, sprinting with its ballerina-like legs as if getting chased by a cheetah. And at the end, the ostrich makes the unique “booming” sound of wrapping up its journey.

Written in Luna Composition Lab 2018-19 and performed by FTM’s brass quintet at Merkin Hall.