I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills - from whence cometh my help? – Psalm 121, verse 1
Like so many artists, I have always been drawn to mountains, from the ancient peaks of Appalachia in my native Georgia to the proud Rockies in my adoptive Colorado. The perfect natural analog for struggle and triumph, mountains have long represented a sense of transcendence and spirituality. My trombone concerto Three Summits is an homage to three famous peaks of Colorado and draws on the Southern Gospel music traditions of my youth. Hopefully, a spiritual journey from anguish to elation will be heard in this ambitious solo work for my native instrument. First is Mount of the Holy Cross seen from Vail Valley, a 14,000-foot peak with a snowfield in the shape of the Christian Cross. This movement depicts an intrepid climb to such a challenging summit by a hearty but youthful mountaineer. A rolling triple rhythm alongside a defiant quartal melody dominates the trudging ascent. Many challenges and shifts of pace are encountered as the trail becomes more and more perilous. At long last, the hiker sees the cross and hums the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” as the top is finally reached with a breathless “Amen” cadence. Town of Independence, Population 1 - The ghost town of Independence sits near Colorado’s highest peak, Mt. Elbert, in a pristine alpine valley where only one resident remained after the brutal 1899 winter. Hushed, faintly remembered campfire songs waft through the naked aspens, frozen lakes, and skeletal cabins. The lone pioneer shouts to the heavens the shape note hymn “Wayfaring Stranger” only to fall silent again lost in memory. Last is the notorious Pikes Peak Hill Climb also known as the Race to the Clouds. Early each summer since 1916, daring auto racers summit the only 14,000-foot Colorado summit accessible by motor vehicle. Raucous engines and death-defying curves provide for an aggressive and white-knuckle ride to the top. A joyous “gospel shout” concludes the concerto with a jangling tambourine backbeat and one more glissando for the trombone. This work was commissioned by a consortium of professional trombonists lead by Dr. Drew Leslie, Colorado State University and Dr. Chris Van Hof, Ball State University.