Andromeda

 By Peter G. Voisin 

 Opus 42  August 10, 1994

Andromeda is an original composition inspired by the great professional and personal relationship I have with Cliff Newton, Principal Trumpet with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.  Among the many talents of this fine musician and human being is a vivid imagination.  Being a time traveler at heart, Cliff has participated in re-enactment ensembles of the past  (St. Augustine Regimental Band,) as well as a costume winner in Star Trek conventions both as a Star Ship Enterprise Officer and a Klingon Warrior of the future.  His entire family enjoys his “time travel” adventures with him!

In 1994, I became an adjunct trumpet teacher at Jacksonville University for two semesters.  I planned a recital and wrote  “Andromeda” for Cliff to perform as a guest artist.  Because of scheduling conflicts, the recital did not take place.

But thanks to Tony Steve, Percussion Instructor, he programmed this piece at one of his New Music and Midi Recitals!  The original score was for trumpet and 15 midi sound samples.  We have adapted it for live percussion ensemble, trumpet and selected midi tracks.

Imagine boarding the Good ShipTonySteve.  Imagine it is a starship solar sailing vessel.  Imagine yourself  traveling to the Andromeda galaxy.  Upon arrival, the solar sailing vessel stops.  It meets the Star Ship Enterprise for just an instant and then it hits “warp” speed and vanishes.  You look outside your porthole and gaze at the splendor of the universe.  Before you know it, you are back on your way to Earth.

Sit back and be transported off this planet for a few minutes and let your imagination take flight!

Food for thought:

Everything in the universe is so far away that you see it as it was. So since the sun is 8.3 light seconds away from us, we see it as it was 8.3 seconds before. The farthest thing you can see unaided is the Andromedia Galaxy. The Andromeda Galaxy is so far away that you see it as it was 3 million years ago