David Biedenbender

Daybreak Crossing was commissioned by the Washtenaw Community Concert Band for their 35th anniversary. I lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan in Washtenaw County for seven years, and I wanted to capture some of the spirit of that wonderful place in this piece. When I think about Washtenaw County, there are many images and experiences that come to mind: warm summer evenings spent in Depot Town along the railroad tracks sharing a meal with family and friends, quiet autumn walks in the Arboretum, and incredible, exciting concerts in Hill Auditorium, just to name a few. All of these places find a small role in the sound-world of this piece, but one place in particular remains firmly and fondly my favorite: the beautiful Huron River at Argo Park in Ann Arbor. On many quiet, summer mornings, I found myself on or along the Huron, either in a kayak or on a running trail, taking in the serene, glassy surface of the water as the sun slowly rose. As a new day began, I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of adventure and resolve at the thought of all that the new day held. This image—this feeling—served as the inspiration for Daybreak Crossing—that of excitement, energy, nervousness, determination, and hope as the brilliant light from the rising sun slowly filled the sky and danced on the surface of the water in that beautiful place I called home.

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