Cedric Adderley on 'Indigo Run': 'It is a musical display of the rich and vibrant hue found in the Carolina low country.'

Cedric Adderley, D.M.A.
www.cedricadderley.com

AfriClassical invited composer Cedric Adderley, D.M.A. to comment on his composition Indigo Run, on tonight's SUNY Orange Symphonic Band program, From The South:

Good Morning,

I'm pleased to know that the concert will go on as scheduled and certainly wish that I could have made arrangements to attend.  My program notes are a pretty thorough explanation of the inspiration of Indigo Run and much of the creative process surrounding the piece.

"Indigo Run was commissioned by the University of Miami Wind Ensemble and the New Music Consortium under the direction of Gary Green, conductor, and Michael Robinson, consortium director.  It is a musical display of the rich and vibrant hue found in the Carolina low country.  It is an outgrowth of the composer’s thoughts as he was taking his morning run through the Indigo Park community on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  While not a fully programmatic depiction of the scenery, the work attempts to recreate the essence of the landscape in sound.  The composition opens with a dramatic slow introduction followed by a four-part overture.  The fast sections are quick and energetic to contrast with the warm and gentle slow section.  The entire piece features driving rhythms with a generous blend of agile motives and strong chords.  The lyric melodies and lush harmonies are a vivid representation of the beautiful scenery that has made Hilton Head Island one of the most popular resort cities in the United States."

Having composed primarily for young bands, Indigo Run was my first commissioned piece for a more advanced wind band and launched my career to a new level.  The consortium of approximately twenty-five high school and collegiate wind ensembles led by the University of Miami Department of Bands.  The piece has made it onto the concert festivals lists in a number of states throughout the country and has enjoyed an extremely successful performance life after the premiere.

Again, I thank you for the opportunity to be included in the program and wish that I could have attended the performance.  I hope to make it to your area at some point in the near future.

Best,

Cedric Adderley