and the pursuit

The commissioning party retains performance exclusivity rights through May 2027, unless special permission is granted.

Program Notes

Written in celebration of the 55th Anniversary of the George Mason University Band Program, and the pursuit draws inspiration from the historic relationship between the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776) and the United States Declaration of Independence. The Virginia document, adopted in June of 1776, provided philosophical language and structural ideas that would soon shape Jefferson’s Declaration, most notably the assertion of inherent rights and the belief that government exists to serve the people. This progression from regional conviction to national proclamation serves as the central artistic idea behind the work.

Musically, the composition reflects a sense of forward motion, growth, and determination, symbolizing the ongoing human pursuit of liberty, purpose, and collective identity. Opening material suggests the weight of history and the gravity of founding ideals, while subsequent sections build in momentum, representing the transformation of thought into action. Themes are developed through expansion, fragmentation, and reassembly, mirroring the way revolutionary ideas evolved from local discourse into a declaration that would shape a nation.

The title, and the pursuit, refers not only to the historical pursuit of independence, but also to the enduring pursuit of excellence, knowledge, and community that defines the George Mason University Band Program. For fifty-five years, the program has fostered generations of musicians, educators, and leaders who continue to carry these ideals forward through artistry, scholarship, and service. In this way, the work stands as both a tribute to the past and a celebration of the ongoing journey.

– Notes by Dr. William L. Lake, Jr.
These notes may be used freely with proper attribution

Instrumentation, detailed:

3(P)114(Bs.Cl)211 / 34311 / timp 3perc / pf
1 Piccolo
2 Flutes
1 Oboe
1 Bassoon
3 Clarinets in B-flat
1 Bass Clarinet
2 Alto Saxophones
1 Tenor Saxophone
1 Baritone Saxophone

3 Trumpets in B-flat (1. Solo requires a cup mute)
4 Horns in F
2 Tenor Trombones
1 Bass Trombone
1 Euphonium
1 Tuba

4 Percussion
– Timpani
– Percussion 1: Xylophone, Police Whistle
– Percussion 2: Vibraphone, Police Whistle, Claves (mounted)
– Percussion 3: Snare Drum, Concert Bass Drum, China Cymbal (bow)
1 Piano