Overture to the Cascades (2023)

Wind Ensemble | ca. 7' | grade 4

Program Note

Overture to the Cascades serves as both an introduction and an homage to my home, the Pacific Northwest. This region consists of the states of Washington, Oregon, and northern California, respectively, and is known for its lush environments and vibrant nature. As an Oregonian, the area I've lived in — the Willamette Valley — has remained one of my favorite places of all. With churning creeks and rivers carving through endless evergreen forests, and rolling green hills blanketed by miles of local vineyards, the Willamette Valley teems with natural beauty. To the east, the Valley is backed by the snow-clad peaks of the Cascade Mountain Range, stretching from British Columba down to northern California, and is home to abundant wildlife and some of the most famous volcanoes in the country. This mountain range fueled the inspiration for the piece, as I envisioned soaring blissfully over and in between the summits, taking in the majestic scenery all around me.

From the beginning, the listener rises with the sun as its brilliant morning rays awaken the Valley. A primary theme is introduced, building and blossoming to a peak akin to Richard Strauss's Eine Alpensinfonie, signifying the arrival of day and the reveal of the majestic Cascades. The "flight" ensues with the secondary theme: a gentle, floating waltz that rises and falls in a similar contour to the hills of the Valley, becoming more dynamic and more complex in texture with each iteration. After a drastic and sudden dive, the music slowly climbs back up through the foothills of the Cascades and bridges back to the primary theme. The listener ascends even further past the mountains, until the entirety of the Pacific Northwest is revealed in all its grandeur and sublimity.