A Very Special Performance Of “Curtain in the Sky”
I had an experience at the 2024 Midwest Clinic that I can only describe as “the luckiest meeting ever”.
As a composer who has a good chunk of their catalog published with other publishers, I don’t get to see who buys and performs my music often. So when I get a chance to meet people who have played my music, I’m eternally grateful for them for choosing to bring my music to life.
In 2020 I get my ASCAP royalty statement for the previous year’s educational concerts. I noticed that my piece “Curtain In The Sky” got played at the “The Classic Center Theater” in Georgia. Being the curious individual I am, I tried to figure out who performed it there. I didn’t get far, the most I could figure out is that a group had performed it as part of their GMEA performance but I never found the ensemble. This remained a mystery for almost 4 years until Midwest 2024.
Arrianne and I were standing in my booth when she flags down someone exclaiming “OMG I love your dress!!!”. This individual was taken by surprise and told Arrianne “Thanks!” and then notices my booth. Her reaction was “OMG you’re Robert!”. This person was Audrey Murphy.
She introduces herself to me and tells me that she’s played my piece “Curtain In The Sky” before… with her middle school ensemble. My jaw hit the floor. My reaction was “You played what, with what group?!”. “Curtain In The Sky” is arguably one of my more difficult works due to its ensemble balancing needs, pacing, and subtle nuances that need to be brought out in the dynamics. It also has one of my favorite (and most demanding) Euphonium solos I’ve written.
Once my jaw was picked up from the floor she explained how she discovered the piece through a mailer my publisher sent out. She had set it aside and then her mother sadly passed away. She had found out that her group had been selected for the 2019 GMEA In-Service and decided to program it with her group in honor of her mom. This solved my mystery of who had performed it at GMEA 2019!
I was moved and trying my best not to cry. I took solace in knowing that one of my pieces of music helped someone get through a very difficult time in their life. It’s one of the reasons I compose music.
After talking for a bit she sent me the recording of her group. I didn’t get around to listening to it until post Midwest. This might be hands down the best performance I’ve ever heard of my music by a middle school band. I can’t even put into words how incredibly moving and powerful this was. The solos were meaningful, the climax was purposeful, and the ending was tranquil and serene. So, I’m leaving it here for you all to listen to it.
It’s a great way to end a very special 2024 for me. I would never have known about any of this if it weren’t for my biggest champion and the love of my life, Arrianne. She has been my good luck charm for 15 years and without her at my booth, I would never have met Audrey Murphy!