Chamber Works

FROM THE DEPTHS OF NIGHT
Difficulty Level: 2.5
Performance Duration: 3:16 mins.
Instrumentation: Violin, Double Bass

From the Depths of Night is a contemporary work that was commissioned by Carlton’s high school friend, Wayne Smales, who personally requested this piece from Carlton so that he may perform it at a school concert. This work has two meanings behind it, the first one representing one’s journey through the difficulties of fear and all other problems, but finally gaining the strength to overcome such obstacles. The second is the passing of time as night becomes day and reveals to us the serenity and majesty of a warm, sunny day. Using one theme and its variations, each instrument is able to contribute to the journey by taking both the listener and performer on their own emotional escapade.

TO THE KING
Difficulty Level: 3
Performance Duration: 2:49 mins.
Instrumentation: Brass Quintet

To the King is a programmatic work that was written with Carlton’s former high school band director, Richard Burkart, in mind; he plays trumpet. It is a work about 5 individuals and their quest to the kingdom. The work opens with a heroic fanfare in the 1st trumpet and that is then thickened as the 2nd trumpet enters. Following this, the french horn, trombone (euphonium), and tuba all add what can be considered as the confirmation of the quest. We are then taken on the journey as the five travel across the landscape to reach the kingdom and claim glory. Suddenly, we are introduced to a fat, moronic, yet “insightful” knight who tells the travelers where to go, but, sadly, he gives them the wrong directions. The travelers are stumbled upon by knights of an opposing kingdom and they must escape before they are killed. Finally, the heroic theme returns, but is more lively in order to let us know that our five heroes have made it to the kingdom.