Zenith was started in 2022 after my trip to Sitka, Alaska for the Sitka Fine Arts Camp (SFAC). While performing with the other faculty at SFAC, I was inspired to compose a brass quintet because the instrumentation was familiar to me. This composition was extremely enjoyable to compose because the underlying motive was to write music that I would want to listen to.

The overall inspiration for this piece was Balkan brass, otherwise known by the Serbian name truba (trʊˈba). Truba is a unique combination of folk music and military music. This music includes unique instruments such as flugelhorns, trumpets, alto horns, helicons, euphoniums, tenor horns, tubas, baritone horns, and Wagner tubas.

Zenith is written in the C Phrygian Dominant mode, which gives it a unique and exotic sound and is heavily influenced by truba. Like truba, the tuba provides a foundation with a syncopated bass line and the French horn provides the counter rhythm. Eventually, the trumpets join in to provide more rhythmic and melodic support. The trumpet dominates the sound, so writing a melody with long notes at a loud dynamic is idiosyncratic for the style. This composition then merges with a jazz and classical sound until a tuba solo featuring the instrument’s rich tone and versatility emerges in the middle of the piece. Throughout the piece, the ensemble weaves in and out of different sections, each with its own character and energy, culminating in a grand finale.

• Bb Trumpet 1, 2

• Horn in F

• Trombone

• C Contrabass Tuba