Flaher

Written to celebrate the life of one of the composer's dearest friends, Flaher features musical “flares” in the percussion showing the ebb and flow of life, celebrating the memories, friendship, crazy shenanigans, and the playful personality of his friend.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 5 | Duration: 7:00

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Alto Flute
Oboe
Bassoon 1
Bassoon 2
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Baritone T.C.
Tuba

Double Bass
Piano

Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 1 (glockenspiel, suspended cymbal, xylophone, 3 triangles*)
Percussion 2 (vibraphone, suspended cymbal, tam-tam*)
Percussion 3 (chimes, 4-octave marimba)
Percussion 4 (crotales, suspended cymbal*, crash cymbals*, tambourine, tam-tam*, brake drum)
Percussion 5 (tam-tam*, wind chimes, suspended cymbal*, snare drum, low tom, crash cymbals*, bass drum*, 3 triangles*)
Percussion 6 (3 triangles*, bass drum*)

(* indicates shared instruments)

Program Notes
On September 12, 2012, one of my dearest friends, Anthony Flaherty, took his own life at his home. I got the call at an ice cream social. A mutual friend told me the details. I didn’t believe her, so I called his phone. A family friend answered and confirmed. I rushed to the 3rd floor of the campus fine arts center; that’s where the pianos are. For many hours I felt sorry for myself. I let my head lie on the keys. I prayed to God and asked for comfort through this situation. I didn’t understand it, and knew I probably never would. I let my right hand fall in the top register of the keys. My hand fell on a harmony of enlightenment and comfort to me: a mix of a major chord and suspension, completeness and confusion. Through this chord, I feel like God gifted me with a vignette of peace. I am happy to honor Anthony through a namesake piece. Anthony was a one-of-a-kind friend: loving and compassionate to all, supportive, hilarious, and eccentric. He was passionate about young people finding their voices through public service. He was a generation or two removed, and had wisdom beyond his years. A true friend. His suicide shocked his family and friends. I struggled (and continue to struggle) to understand his decision. Flaher is my attempt.

Flaher (pronounced “flare”) explores the melodies and harmonic fabrics through the Flaher chord. An alto flute—A.F., his initials—is used to express his voice. Musical “flares” in the percussion show the ebb and flow of life, and are used at the conclusion as explosions of life. I celebrate the memories, friendship, crazy shenanigans, and his playful personality. I explore Anthony’s pain of coming to this decision, and then the converse effect of grief for those he left behind. A celebration of life is built from the network of love communicated by those who remember and love Anthony. We are all connected to a story of loss. But it is important to celebrate the beauty of life. It is important to talk about touchy subjects. If we can’t feel and express openly, we are not alive. Flaher is Anthony’s story. And his is a story worth telling.

- Ben Lee