Exhale!

EXHALE! James M. Stephenson

Commissioned by The United States Air Force Band Colonel Don Schofield, Commander and Conductor
Premiered on July 4, 2021, by the commissioner, at the Air Force memorial in Washington D.C. 

duration: 5:30′

instrumentation:
piccolo – 2 flutes – 2 oboes – english horn – bassoon
3 Bb clarinets – bass clarinet – 2 alto saxophones – tenor saxophone – baritone saxophone 3 Bb trumpets – 4 french horns – 3 tenor trombones – bass trombone
euphonium – tuba
timpani – harp – double bass
4 percussion:

mallets: glock., marimba, vibes, xylophone, chimes, + wood block, triangle percussion 1: sus. cymb., triangle, tambourine, cymb. a2, chimes percussion 2: snare drum, sus. cymb.
percussion 3: cymb. a2, tambourine, bass drum, tam-tam

Program Notes:

Several months ago, mid-pandemic, I was asked by Col. Don Schofield of the United States Air Force Band to write a piece full of hope: a concert opener or closer that might bring a rush of excitement
to the audience, and also reflect on how grateful we all were to be in a room together again
listening to live music. I was finally able to write this new work – EXHALE! – which is meant to represent that feeling we all know as a cathartic response to a tense moment having passed. I was also inspired by the contrails – or exhalations – that are emitted from AF jets as they propel themselves upward: another visual symbol of that kind of optimism and hope. While it can’t be performed right away, I certainly look forward to that time when it can be, and when we can all breathe a little easier.

~ James M. Stephenson; November, 2020