American composer Roshanne Etezady (b. 1973) found early inspiration from Europop, 80s power ballads, Stephen Sondheim, and many other sources. Seeing Philip Glass perform on Saturday Night Live in 1986 sparked her interest in becoming a composer, leading her to eventually pursue education in music at Northwestern, Yale, and the University of Michigan. In the process, she worked closely with composers William Bolcom, Martin Bresnick, Michael Daugherty, Ned Rorem, and others. She has been commissioned and given awards by a who’s-who of top organizations, and her music has been performed around the world. She has also taught at several institutions. See more about her and her music at her website, the University of Michigan, the Wind Repertory Project, Naxos, and Discogs. Also check out this interview at the Yale School of Music.
Parhelion (2022) was commissioned for the 2019 retirement of Gary W. Hill from his post as Director of Bands at Arizona State University, by his former students (including, full disclosure, me). Etezady’s program note describes its inspiration:
A Parhelion, sometimes also called “sun dog,” or “whirling rainbow,” is an optical illusion caused by sunlight passing through ice crystals in the upper atmosphere, causing bright spots to appear around a “solar halo” that encircles the sun. The phenomenon causes a ring of brilliance to appear around the sun, with gems of light dotting the perimeter of the circle, evoking the appearance of three suns in the sky. In some folk traditions, parhelia signify a sign of great change or transition on the horizon.
Parhelion is dedicated to Gary Hill, whose warmth and brilliance enlighten everyone and everything in his radius. All of us who have worked with him, laughed with him, and learned from him are brighter because of his luminous curiosity and radiant energy. This piece is written in honor of his transition from full-time university professor into the next phase of his life and career.
She adds a dedication:
Commissioned by the students of Gary Hill; Director of Bands at Arizona State University (1999-2019), University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music (1986-1999), and East Texas State University (1982- 1986). In honor of his retirement in 2019, in celebration of his career, and in thanks for his years of mentorship to all of us in this profession:
Thank you.
The commissioners included:
Greg Lindahl (in memoriam)
Trae Blanco, Murray State University, consortium organizer
Made possible by the generous support of the
Gary and Barbara Morgan Band Fund for Excellence, Murray State University
Brandon Houghtalen, Abilene Christian University
Jason Caslor, Arizona State University
G. Mancho González, Michael D. Hoerber, and Barry Kraus
Andy Collinsworth, California State University – Sonoma
Stuart Sims, California State University, Stanislaus
Robert Dunham, Georgia Southern University
Shannon Shaker, Grand Rapids Community College
Andy Pease, Hartwick College
Serena Weren, Loyola University New Orleans
James Smart, University of Montana
Nathan Stark, Montana State University
Matthew Luttrell, Midwestern State University
Bryan Raya, Northeastern State University
Shawn Smith, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Eric Melley, Providence College
Steve Martin, Associate Conductor, Reno Wind Symphony
Grant Linsell, Rio Hondo College
Diana Hollinger, San Jose State University
Tom Keck, Utah Valley University
Melanie Brooks, Winona State University
John Climer, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Brandt Payne, Youngstown State University
Murphy Music Press publishes the piece, and has a recording of it from Sonoma State University:
Also check out this video of an actual, real parhelion:
See more about the piece at the Wind Repertory Project.