Description
About Utopia
We are all different and you know what? That’s okay. Great, in fact.
One thing that has always made me want to scream is when people, in an effort to build bridges or make certain populations feel welcome, say “well, we’re all the same!”
No. No we are NOT all the same. And again….that’s okay. Great, in fact. Why do we HAVE to be the same? Why not celebrate and accept those very qualities that make us unique?
UTOPIA was commissioned by the High School Bands of Anoka-Hennepin ISD #11 in Minnesota (Andover HS, Anoka HS, Blaine HS, Champlin Park HS, and Coon Rapids HS). With this work, I drew inspiration from numerous musical customs throughout the world and channeled it through my own personal aesthetic to create a celebration of all of the faces and identities of humanity. While not every single culture is represented (this would be impossible and impractical), I tried to pull from every continent in some facet or another. The two largest emotions I wanted to convey were hope and joy, as different culture’s sounds are juxtaposed together in harmonious ways. I am pleased with the final results, and hope you will be too. I want to especially thank Steve Lyons for spearheading this commission and being in constant contact with me, as well as for letting me express my creative vision.
In closing, I believe it is never too late for humanity to move closer to a more peaceful, joyful existence. We all have much in common, and we all have differences that define us and set us apart.
And that’s okay.
Great, in fact.
Peace Love and Music.
