ANCESTRAL FLYWAYS

• Concert Band Grade 3
• Duration: 3:45
• Commissioned by a consortium of 149 ensembles and individuals from around the world
• BUY HERE
• Currently only the score is available for purchase. Parts will be available in January 2027.

Ancestral Flyways is inspired by the remarkable journeys taken by hundreds of millions of migratory birds every year, as they travel great distances between their breeding grounds and wintering grounds and back again. Some species of birds migrate along established routes called flyways. Birds navigate using a combination of powerful senses and environmental cues including the position of the sun and stars, Earth’s magnetic field, and visual landmarks such as rivers and ridges. Juvenile birds are often able to migrate on their own to wintering grounds they have never been to before, guided by an innate connection to these places. Migration is considered one of the most dangerous times of a bird’s life, so making these journeys safely and successfully multiple times over a bird’s lifetime is quite miraculous.

The music in Ancestral Flyways explores the combination of steadiness and urgency, gratitude and yearning, and moving forward while staying connected to the past. Moving inner lines represent flowing water and the contours of the Earth as seen from above; rising and soaring melodies depict the magic of flight itself; and sparkling ostinatos reflect the stars that many birds rely on. The warm and radiant sections of music are meant to feel like the emotional release of coming home after a transformative journey– an experience shared by all human and non-human beings.

A personal note from the composer:
Just before the end of the piece, I have incorporated the melody from my most frequently performed piece of music, Chasing Sunlight, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year. Quoting Chasing Sunlight in this new piece is a way for me to honour my own transformative journey: the uncertainty, the growing pains, the trust in myself and connection to a deeper sense of knowing, and the joy and liberation of living a life that is aligned with what matters most to me. It also honours the community I’ve built through my music over the past decade, expressing the reverence and gratitude I feel for these beautiful reciprocal relationships.

While I was composing this piece, I had the privilege of witnessing hundreds of Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus) at a stopover site during their spring migration, a few of whom are pictured on the cover of this score.

Partial proceeds from sales of this piece are donated to Birds Canada to support bird conservation projects. Thank you for helping support this important work! To learn more, visit www.birdscanada.org.

Ancestral Flyways was commissioned by a consortium of 149 members from around the world. They are listed on the following two pages before the music begins. Thank you to everyone who supported this project!