Through the Vaulting Skies for Trombone Choir

Instrumentation: 12-part Trombone Choir (9, 3b)

Duration: 9’00”

Purchase – IMBrassWorks

Program Notes:

Through the Vaulting Skies is an epic tale for trombone choir, taking its title from Homer’s Odyssey. Loosely following the hero’s journey narrative structure, this is a story of adventure, grandeur, and power.

The piece begins with rumblings of a legendary myth describing an ancient artifact calling the story’s heroes to adventure. Excitement and optimism quickly turn to doubt and intimidation as the heroes start to realize the gravity of the quest they set out on. Tensions flare as an impending storm interrupts the voyage, swiftly ruining the party’s ship and knocking the heroes out.

The heroes wake up in an unfamiliar location: a grand, yet unsettling palace. What appeared to be a rescue by a royal clan reveals itself to be more of a kidnapping as this clan demands information about the artifact, leading to an all-out battle between the two factions. Many injuries and one fatal wound to a loyal party member force the heroes to reflect and wonder if this quest is really worth the sacrifice.

However, this ally’s death sparks a flame in the party to finish this adventure once and for all, giving motivation and power to defeat the enemy clan. After stealing the enemies’ ships and intel about the artifact, the heroes are finally able to recover this magical item and return home after a successful, though costly, journey.

Commissioned by:

  • Vicente Hernandez, Carnegie Mellon University (Consortium Director)
  • Daniel J. Cosio, University of Colorado-Boulder
  • James T. Decker, Texas Tech University
  • Dr. Óscar Díaz, Jr., Texas A&M-Kingsville
  • Bill Haugeberg, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
  • Vince Hernandez, North County Winds
  • Professor David Jackson, University of Michigan
  • Dr. Li Kuang, Portland State University
  • Dr. Drew Leslie, Colorado State University
  • Dr. Ben Mcllwain, University of Southern Mississippi
  • Dr. Cory Mixdorf, University of Arkansas
  • James Nova, Pittsburgh Symphony/Duquesne University
  • John Ohnstad, Big Horn Brass/Rose City Trombones
  • Dr. Nick Sullivan, University of Lethbridge
  • Patrick C. Sullivan, Bone Yard Music/Rocket City Bones
  • Dr. Sterling Tanner, University of Colorado-Boulder
  • Dr. Justin Waller, East Tennessee State University
  • Chase West, Southern Arkansas University
  • Dr. Michael Wilkinson, University of South Carolina
  • Dr. Steve Wolfinbarger, Western Michigan University
  • Dr. Russ Zokaites, California State University-Fresno