Composer's Notes: The inspiration for Undiscovered Pathways came to me while I was out for a walk in nature. I can walk the same path a hundred times and still find something new to explore each time. With every new pathway comes a sense of novelty, optimism, and mystery. Sometimes following one of these newly discovered pathways will lead me to a wonderful place that I was previously completely unaware of. Similar parallels can be made to life itself. This composition begins in a state of tranquillity, having a sense of comfort and familiarity. As the music develops, we begin to veer off the beaten path into uncharted areas, expressed by unique melodic developments and captivating harmonies. As we venture further into the forest, we lose sight of where we came from, forcing us to rely on courage and faith to carry us through. Harmonic boundaries fall to the ground as we realize that nothing around us is familiar. Amidst this unfamiliarity, we start to wind our way through the trees and discover this new terrain for ourselves. Soon, the tempo picks up and we are off on a courageous expedition. Confidence is gained as we learn our way through these woods, and that which was previously unexplored becomes a glorious place where many future adventures await. The music ends in a brilliant spectacle of joy and triumph. The thrill that comes with discovering something new is something to be celebrated. We live in a world of endless possibilities. Step beyond the boundaries and embrace the unknown; the most wonderful of achievements and discoveries are made when we step outside of our comfort zone. The Creation of Undiscovered Pathways was commissioned by The National Orchestral Institute + Festival’s K12 New Music Project at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD, in partnership with the American Composers Alliance.
