Clear Sailing

Duration: 3' 52"

Composed: June 2002

Susie Benchasil Seiter, orchestrator

Instrumentation

2 Flutes (1st doubles piccolo)

2 Oboes

Bb Clarinet

Bb Bass Clarinet

Bassoon

Contrabassoon

4 Horns in F

3 Trumpets in Bb

2 Trombones

Bass Trombone

Tuba

Timpani

Percussion (4 players)

Harp

SATB Choir (9)

Violin I (10)

Violin II (8)

Viola (6)

Cello (6)

Contrabass (3)

Composition Notes

This is a piece I wrote for myself, depicting the setting sail of a ship into open waters. The opening expresses the calm and anticipation before the journey. It creates an image of a tranquil harbor with fog hanging on its surface and the sound of seagulls in the distance as the sun rises. As strings start to play a lyrical melody, we can hear the crew preparing the ship for departure. With a timpani roll and basses and low brass playing a steady rhythm, we set off into the open sea; while soaring strings, trumpets and choir add majesty and excitement to our voyage.

Performance Video

Melvin Tay, conductor

First performed on November 15, 2021 by the Northern Film Orchestra

Behind-the-Scenes

This video gives you a unique "fly on the wall" perspective of the recording session for Clear Sailing. You get to experience how the conductor works with the orchestra from viewing the music for the first time until the final performance.

Original Mockup

Here's the original mockup I made using sounds from a Roland XP-80 synthesizer.