Shine - OB/VIBRAPHONE

Shine
for oboe and vibraphone
by Alyssa Morris (b. 1984) - American composer

Shine for oboe and vibraphone is a response to the following scripture in the New Testament:

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

I. LIKE THE MOON

When I gaze upon the moon, I am awestruck by its lonely beauty. In the vast darkness of night, the moon shines bright, showing us all how to be a light in the darkness. This movement is a contrafact, paying a nostalgic nod to the jazz standard “Fly Me to the Moon.”

II. LIKE THE STARS

When looking on the abyss that is the night sky, that eternal void of uncertainty can be perceived as overwhelming and even frightening. Instead, when we gaze into the darkness, we look for the stars. We look out upon the eternities and marvel at the great balls of glowing gas that managed to bring their brightness lightyears away to us, so we could witness their dazzling light.

III. LIKE THE SUN

Nothing is so full of hope as is a sunrise. Every day, the morning breaks with a colorful crescendo of brightness: dark blue to purplish pink, to orange, then bright yellowish blue. The rising sun reminds us all that life is full of color and light, and that we can share that light with others.

For a recording click HERE. 

ABOUT THE COMPOSER:

Alyssa Morris has delighted audiences around the world with her “exceptional” and “soulful” musicianship (Fanfare Magazine). Alyssa serves as Assistant Professor of Oboe at Kansas State University and as the principal oboist of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and Wichita Grand Opera.  She has appeared as a soloist in venues throughout the United States, Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Western Europe.  Alyssa has previously held the position of Associate Principal Oboe in the Richmond (IN) Symphony Orchestra, and second oboe in the Utah Wind Symphony.  Her recent CD album release via MSR Classics, “A Higher Place,” has been hailed by American Record Guide as “gorgeous and thoughtful” with “stunning” performances, “unmistakable…virtuosity” and “deft emotional timing.” 

Regarding her equally expansive work as a composer, the American Record Guide writes that Dr. Morris’s music “has charm, piquancy, verve, and most importantly, substance.” Her chamber music is performed extensively around the world, and has been presented at the national and international conventions of IDRS, ICA, NFA, and SCI.  Dr. Morris is an International Barlow Composition Commission Award Winner.  She has additionally been commissioned to write music for the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Air Force Woodwind Quintet, and Carolyn Hove (principal English horn of the Los Angeles Philharmonic) to name a few. Dr. Morris’s music has been recorded on the Equilibrium, Centaur, and MSR Classics labels.

Dr. Morris earned her BM and MM degrees at Brigham Young University, where she studied with Dr. Geralyn Giovannetti. She earned her DMA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with Dr. Mark Ostoich. 

For more information, please visit the composer's website at: http://www.alyssamorrismusic.com/