Ascension

Hawes writes music that soars without pretension. The piece gives performers a genuine sense of lift and purpose, and audiences respond immediately to its emotional clarity. It's the kind of work that reminds everyone in the room why they love music.

The music unfolds with purposeful momentum, creating a sense of rising motion both harmonically and texturally. There's an inherent optimism here, a forward drive that feels earned rather than forced.

This work suits advanced community orchestras, university ensembles, and polished secondary school groups. It demands solid musicianship and secure intonation but rewards preparation with an accessible yet musically substantial performance.

• Shape the opening with careful dynamic control; the piece builds its power through accumulated energy rather than sudden shifts.
• Pay attention to sectional balance in the parts. Hawes writes with textural clarity in mind, so ensure lighter voices don't disappear beneath fuller scoring.
• Let the harmonic language breathe. Resist the urge to rush through transitions; they're essential to the piece's sense of ascent.

Ascension works beautifully as a concert opener that establishes an optimistic tone, or as a centerpiece that bookends contrasting repertoire. Consider pairing it with works that explore different emotional territory to showcase its particular character.

• Ensemble balance within transparent orchestration
• Sustaining forward momentum across longer harmonic arcs
• Responding to compositional phrasing that extends beyond regular phrase lengths
• Accurate intonation in sustained sonorities