"Blue Horizons" is a spirited tribute to the heritage of the United States Air Force. This work was created as a request for an Air Force-themed "companion piece" to Robert Jager's "Esprit de Corps" (which uses the Marine's Hymn as the source of its melodic material). Since Jager was my music composition and theory teacher at Tennessee Tech University, I discussed my plans for this work with him, shared my progress along the way, and sought his guidance as I had done so many times in the past. There are two quotes from his "Esprit de Corps" that you might hear in "Blue Horizons."
Overall this piece is an homage to the Air Force's musical heritage and also to Jager himself; there's also a bit of "chase music" inspired by John Williams toward the end - always a fun style, and since he's part of our Air Force Band heritage I thought it was appropriate. You can hear bits of "Off We Go" in here, and you Air Force types may also hear "A Toast to the Host," "Lord, Guard and Guide," and one quote each of "Air Force Blue" and "Those Magnificent Men."
This work is published by Carl Fischer and available for purchase here:
https://www.jwpepper.com/Blue-Horizons/11104928.item#.XgeVUOTsaM8
