Composing in the Wilderness 2023 Lake Clark

Led by adventurer-composer Stephen Lias along with highly skilled wilderness guides, six composers (including myself) were chosen to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to explore the Alaskan wilderness in Lake Clark National Park.

Shortly after we arrived we each received a description of the piece we’ll each write (duration, mood, and difficulty level), and we’ll will use their wilderness experience as inspiration.

We all returned from the wilderness and will have completed our new wind ensemble works by January 2024. Together, our six new works will make a compelling and unique concert-length experience that will be performed in 2024 by our partner ensembles.

Our partnering ensembles are:

• Tamey Anglley and the SFA Wind Ensemble (Texas)

• Carolyn Barber and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln Wind Ensemble

• The Grand Valley State University Wind Symphony under the direction of Kevin Tutt (Michigan).

Additional ensembles who have requested to program one or more of the new works include:

• Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin at Penn State

• Andrew Boysen at the University of New Hampshire

• Lauren Reynolds at the University of Delaware