Program Notes

When asked to write a science-based piece for the Boulder Philharmonic Discovery Program, I knew I wanted to not only show children a scientific process through music, but also to foster a love of music and science within them. Flourish details a seedling's journey as it sprouts into a fully fledged plant. In order to grow, plants need a variety of components: light, water, air, and nutrients. In the beginning of the piece, the block chords represent the plant breaking through the ground and sprouting. Then, the upbeat and light melody depicts the plant taking in everything it needs to grow. This is followed by a more delicate portion of the piece as the plant struggles to grow and take root. Finally, the plant blooms as ascending lines push the piece towards an exciting, energetic climate. Many parallels can be drawn between the growth of a plant and the growth of today's youth. Both require commodities such as food and water to thrive. However, unlike plants, children are also enriched through education. Teachers, mentors, and schools allow kids to truly grow into their adult selves. Not only should this piece serve to inspire young students to explore science and music, but it should also remind adult listeners and performers of the value we need to place upon supporting our schools.