Fusion

Fusion was commissioned for the retirement concert of Eric Haenfler, band director at Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona. The work consists of three movements, all of which draw from various types of pop music and dance forms set within a contemporary framework. The first movement, Overture, is a short fanfare based loosely on Irish dance rhythms and melodies. While there are no specific references to any Irish folk songs, one hears the style that is often found in Irish jigs. The second movement, Ballad, is lyrical in nature and receives its inspiration from various aspects of pop ballads, particularly some of the harmonic progressions. While no direct references to pop music are made, one hears some distant references as the movement progresses. The final movement, Fusion, is a literal combination of several styles, inspired by my love of many different types of music, including rock, funk, and swing. Elements of all these styles exist in this movement, treated in a contemporary fashion. Eventually, a brief reference to material from the first movement leads into the final powerful rhythmic statements, which are variations on the opening material of the final movement. A stubborn and strong bass pedal continues to interject before the various intertwining lines come together in a final chord.