From the Ashes was inspired by a poem by J.R.R. Tolkien's "Fellowship of the Ring," ("From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring"). Primarily set in 10/8 and 5/4, the work features ritualistic drumming and long, soaring melodies.

Sample Score 

Program Notes

From the Ashes was commissioned by Dr. Shawn Smith and the UNC Charlotte Wind Ensemble. One of the university’s slogans is “Stake Your Claim,” which alludes to the time when gold miners first came to the Charlotte area. They would literally stake their claim with wooden stakes and a small note proclaiming their right to this land for gold mining. This encourages their faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community to take pride in ownership, honoring that pioneering spirit and tenacity of claiming your territory. The talk of gold reminded me of a poem from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Fellowship of the Ring.” I decided to set the words to music, which became the primary theme for the piece.

All that is gold does not glitter
Not all those who wander are lost.
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken.
The crownless again shall be King.

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
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
Euphonium
T.C. Baritone
Tuba

Timpani [4 drums] & Tambourine
Percussion 1 [Crotales (2-octaves), Bells, Xylophone]
Percussion 2 [Vibraphone, Chimes, Suspended Cymbal]
Percussion 3 [Snare Drum, 4 Concert Toms, Suspended Cymbal, Wind Chimes]
Percussion 4 [Concert Bass Drum, Tam-Tam]