Ascension

Ascension was written by Randall Standridge (see below) in 2023 on a commission from Aaron Welker and the Coventry High School Symphonic Winds in Akron, Ohio, in loving memory of Aaron’s father, Bill Welker.

From the composer: “Many moons ago, when I was in high school, I was fortunate to be in an honor band in which the conductor had programmed Fred J. Allen’s fantastic arrangement of ‘They Led My Lord Away’. It was my introduction to hymn-song settings for band, and I was enraptured by the combination of melody, harmony and drama that the piece evoked, and it began a career-long love of hymn tunes.

Ascension combines two hymns: ‘Nearer My God to Thee’ and ‘Be Thou My Vision’. My first intent, when setting these works, was a meditation on mortality and our own finite time on this earth. There are moments of absolute faith, moments of doubt, and moments of wonder, all of which mark our own experiences over the span of our lives. My second intent, as I think is common for most composers, was to create an aesthetic experience for the instrumentalists that they would find intriguing, powerful, and above all, musical. I hope I have succeeded."

Randall Standridge (b. 1976) received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master in Music Composition from Arkansas State University. In 2001, he began his tenure as Director of Bands at Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, Arkansas. He left this post in 2013 to pursue a career as a full-time composer and marching band editor for Grand Mesa Music Publishers. He has over 80 pieces published for concert band, including ten pieces we have performed in the past.

In addition to his career as a composer, Mr. Standridge is active as a clinician. He is in demand as a drill designer, music arranger, and colorguard designer for marching bands and drum corps, as well as a freelance artist/photographer and writer. He lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas with his family.

The music for Ascension was provided for the band by Cherie Murchie.