Each Moment Should be Lived Fully (2021)
Commissioned by David Rogers and the Walled Lake Central High School Band Program
2020 - Program Note (Written by David Rogers)Dedicated to the students of the 2020-2021 Walled Lake Central Wind Symphony and made possible by generous gifts from the parents of those amazing students who never gave up.
Practically since the day my son Jack was born I dreamed of having him in my band with me. He was a typical band director’s kid, he and his little sister, Kathryn, dragged in tow to all of the band events his entire life. Luckily for me the band turned out to be something he loved too. The day my son walked into my band room as a member for the first time instead of the director’s son reinvigorated me as a teacher, and led to an even deeper bond between us than we had already had. I knew for a while that I wanted to have a piece commissioned to honor this special time we have had together, this unique time in both of our lives, and I especially looked forward to the 2020-2021 school year; the one year both of my children would be in my bands together. When Covid-19 occurred midway through his junior year, it jeopardized everything. Fear of losing almost half of this special time with my son dominated my thoughts and it is really where this composition went from a good idea to a must. I asked Brooke to compose a piece that wasn’t overly celebratory, nor overtly melancholy, rather a piece that reflected the reality that life brings both and each time has its place. This time with my son has been some of the happiest of my career. Covid-19 has deeply impacted this time together and taken so many things away, but it has not halted us. It has caused us to stop, reflect, and cherish the daily moments we have together and it has made me dig deeper into finding ways to make this year special for all of my students.
I would be remiss if I didn’t share my deepest condolences for those who have lost loved ones to the Covid-19 Virus.
Practically since the day my son Jack was born I dreamed of having him in my band with me. He was a typical band director’s kid, he and his little sister, Kathryn, dragged in tow to all of the band events his entire life. Luckily for me the band turned out to be something he loved too. The day my son walked into my band room as a member for the first time instead of the director’s son reinvigorated me as a teacher, and led to an even deeper bond between us than we had already had. I knew for a while that I wanted to have a piece commissioned to honor this special time we have had together, this unique time in both of our lives, and I especially looked forward to the 2020-2021 school year; the one year both of my children would be in my bands together. When Covid-19 occurred midway through his junior year, it jeopardized everything. Fear of losing almost half of this special time with my son dominated my thoughts and it is really where this composition went from a good idea to a must. I asked Brooke to compose a piece that wasn’t overly celebratory, nor overtly melancholy, rather a piece that reflected the reality that life brings both and each time has its place. This time with my son has been some of the happiest of my career. Covid-19 has deeply impacted this time together and taken so many things away, but it has not halted us. It has caused us to stop, reflect, and cherish the daily moments we have together and it has made me dig deeper into finding ways to make this year special for all of my students.
I would be remiss if I didn’t share my deepest condolences for those who have lost loved ones to the Covid-19 Virus.