Lift Up (PDF)

Lift Up was commissioned by Tennessee Technological University Foundation to the Cumberland Quintet in honor of their 50th Season

At Tennessee Tech University, “Wings Up” is a common saying usually accompanied with a gesture that references the flight of their mascot the Golden Eagle. The saying is used to greet, cheer and encourage others. This piece, Lift Up, is a nod to that saying and the professors in Cumberland Quintet premiering the piece who teach their students to spread their wings.

The piece begins with an english horn flying solo, but is later supported by the other musicians. As the piece progresses, so does the elevation of keys and intensity. By the end of the piece, the music in raised as well as the resolution of the theme by the english horn which is left to fly alone, but raised and still supported by the other musicians.