In Motion for Symphony Orchestra

Description

In Motion for symphony orchestra + optional youth orchestra

Duration: approx. 6’30”

Commissioned by and written for the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra in honor of their 100th anniversary season; Peter Rubardt, Music Director.
Made possible by the extraordinary generosity of Robert, Gloria, and Martha Turner

Instrumentation:

*3*222 – 2231 – t+3 – harp – strings

optional youth orchestra component:
2222 – 2221 – percussion can join pros – strings

Program Notes:

In the fall of 2024, I had a glorious visit with the Pensacola Symphony and conductor Peter Rubardt as they prepared and performed my Symphony No. 2, “Voices”. It was also during that visit that I got to know
some dedicated supporters of the symphony, Robert and Gloria Turner. What a wonderful surprise it was for me when I later received an invitation to create a new work for the orchestra’s
100th anniversary season, and that the Turners were essentially responsible for making it happen!

A 100th anniversary is no small occasion. It means that there has been a consistency of excellence, support, and drive over a long period of time, made possible through the hard work and passion of many people, many of whom do it only for the love of music. It also means that there is pressure to continue that excellence and momentum for many more years to come, so as to live up to the standards of those that came before you.
“In Motion” is a work meant to represent that ‘hopping on a moving vehicle’ sort of effect. The music starts, and suggests a cycle of activity that has already begun, and will continue to go on; and it is simply the job of the newest person to keep it going, hopefully improve upon it, and take it to the next place.

“In Motion” is also meant to present a vehicle by which the baton gets handed to the next generation, which is the reason it is scored for optional youth orchestra to play along. This was requested of me, as a means of celebrating the big event by making it possible for the two groups to perform together. As someone who started my own career playing in youth orchestras, I couldn’t have been more honored and inspired to hopefully do the same for today’s younger musicians. The piece is highly energetic, as an effort to capture the spirit of a 100th anniversary. It is also highly optimistic, again, as a way to recognize that 100 years is merely the beginning of the next 100 years.

Lastly, I wanted to incorporate a personal experience I had while in Pensacola. My trip happened to coincide with the Naval Base’s air show, featuring the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. I was walking downtown and witnessed the incredible show overhead; it was truly an amazing occurrence. I wanted to add a tip-of-the-hat to the Naval Base, and so the middle section of “In Motion” features P-E-N-S-A-C-O-L-A as spelled out with Morse code. Many musicians get to do it, as if they are talking to each other across the orchestra.

My sincerest thanks goes out to Peter Rubardt, Bret Barrow, and the Turners for entrusting me to write this piece to celebrate such a milestone. I hope it helps to keep the motion and momentum moving forward, as this orchestra continues to serve the wonderful community of Pensacola.

~ Jim Stephenson; October 9, 2025