Lead commissioner Dr. Laura Grantier and I are excited to announce a consortium for a new work for clarinet choir. Scored for advanced choir using instruments from Eb clarinet through Contrass Bass Clarinet, Critical Mass explores American patriotism in light of events since the 2025 presidential inauguration. Specifically, it focuses on music’s ability to serve either as a vehicle for performative patriotism or transformative community-building. The musical materials are almost exclusively quotes of or variations on patriotic songs and protest songs written or popularized by white men. Sousa marches in particular comprise a majority of this source material, and they were chosen because of their titles, which include America First, The Charlatan, and more. These musical themes are parodied, juxtaposed, and layered to create a sense of surreal confusion followed by chaos that eventually reaches a tipping point.
More information including how to sign up can be found here or you can contact me with any questions. We hope you will join us in this exciting project!
