Emerging Victoriously (Perc Ens 11)

Runner-Up in the 2019 OU Percussion Press Composition Competition, Emerging Victoriously is a powerful work inspired by experiences with bullying and the catharsis of making peace with those experiences later in life.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 11
Level: Difficult | Duration: 14:30

Instrumentation
Glockenspiel
Vibraphone 1
Vibraphone 2
Marimba 1 (4.3-octave), High Suspended Cymbal
Marimba 2 (4.3-octave), Medium High Suspended Cymbal
Marimba 3 (5-octave), Medium Low Suspended Cymbal
Marimba 4 (5-octave), Low Suspended Cymbal

Percussion 1: Cajón, Triangle, Small Tam-Tam (wire brushes, super ball mallet)
Percussion 2: Djembe, Rainstick, Sandpaper Blocks
Percussion 3: 2 Congas, Bongos, Bowed Crotale (C)
Percussion 4: Concert Bass Drum (lightly muffled), Shekere, Caxixi

Program Notes
When I was in 7th grade (2007-08), my best friend at the time and I joined the wrestling team at our school. We were both the smallest guys on the team and were severely bullied by a group of guys on the team. We were tormented every day for a year until one day were were both ready for it to end and I had the courage to say something to the coach. After telling him, I felt great relief. The coach confronted everyone on the team and condemned them for the way they were treating us. The next day, however, the coach apologized to everyone for being too hard on them and didn't care to mention what had been happening to my friend and me at all. I felt completely deflated... I finally found the strength to speak up only to find the coach didn't seem to care or take what I had confided seriously.

The experience I had in 7th grade was something that I was ashamed of and suppressed for year. I had never spoken about this with anyone until several weeks ago (September 2019) when I opened up to my sister about it. When telling the story, I realized there were details that I had completely forgotten. The more I talked, the more I remembered. What was most eye-opening was the amount of weight I had been carrying around with me. After telling her everything I felt physically lighter and had a newfound freedom I didn't know was lacking. I suppressed the pain for so long that I had forgotten the toll it had taken on me.

The following night, I had a creative burst of energy and began writing what is now measures 105-167, which helped me to shape the rest of the piece. I chose a key signature with seven flats to represent my grade as well as the seven days of the week I carried that experience with me until finally speaking about it. The piece begins in A-flat minor and takes a long journey to the moment of triumph at measure 460. The feeling of weight being lifted is represented in this moment with the use of A-flat major and D-flat major chords in place of what would have been A-flat minor and D-flat minor chords.

Emerging Victoriously is a piece that celebrates the people who have overcome struggles in their life, but still come out on top. It celebrates not letting the pain we all experience shape us into our worst selves, but instead allowing it to light a spark that creates our best selves. Looking back now, I realize that I emerged from that experience as a victor. I believe that all of us, regardless of where we are on our journey to find healing, are in the process of emerging victoriously.

If you're not there yet, you will be.