Glimpses - for String Quartet
by Casey J. Carroll
This piece was inspired by the beauty of the rising sun. It expresses the feeling of finally seeing light after a long period of darkness in your life. The fragility of those emotions, and how they can contextualize and add gratitude for the good times. In this piece you will catch 'glimpses' of light coming off the horizon. This is part of a larger work I am composing called 'Through the Window: a song collection' It will be the opening piece. Throughout the entire collection I dive into themes of security. The safety of watching the word through a window. reflection through reflecting on circumstances through an aerial perspective. Removing oneself from a situation to understand it as a whole. Purpose, now that I've seen the world’s problems and hurts through a day of reflecting, what can I do to fix it. What is my purpose? This whole work will be my goodbye to childhood. Seeing the world through a lens of safety. The last piece will be me going into the world to make an impact.
​
Strayed - for Flute, Cello and Piano
by Casey J. Carroll
Premiered at the UNCSA 3 week summer composition intensive. This piece tells the story of a boy who loses his parents in a crowd. 'Strayed' starts abruptly with the realization that his family is nowhere to be seen. The piece takes the listener on the journey of finding his parents, through the ups and downs of thinking he's seen or heard them but can't find them, and ultimately to when they reunite. The feeling of immense stress or anxiety is represented by the persistent arpeggiated flutes. The consistency of breath, and calmness of the world around is shown through the consistency and relaxed feel of the piano. The cello represents the journey to find the subject, and the ups and downs when you catch a breath of hope. The fast runs and phrases gives the audience the feeling that the piece is longer than it actually is, the same feeling we get when we are having a panic attack and everything slows down around you.
Finale - John/ Elizabeth theme (the Crucible)
Casey J. Carroll
'the Crucible', a score fully composed by Casey in commission from Douglas Anderson SOTA, was a project that resulted in over 1 hour of music written to accompany 40 on stage performers. This piece happens in the emotional climax of the performance, when protagonist John Proctor decides to heroically take the noose so that his neighbors and friends don't die in vain. This extremely emotional finale leaves the audience in shock, and horror of what they just witnessed. The music more plays to the deep emotional yet proud feeling of John and Elizabeth, while musical undertones also highlight the injustice faced by Proctor and the other townspeople.
Lost to Time - Casey J. Carroll
Premiered at Boston Conservatories HSCI, 'Lost to time' explores one’s distant memories. As they are starting to fade the memories have a final goodbye, pleading for their life but ultimately knowing that another memory will fill its place. The end serves as last goodbye to the memories knowing they will be replaced, but still affect who you are as a person. The piece can represent anything that fades overtime: Love, Hate, Pain, Grief...
Whispering - Casey J. Carroll, Miles Melanson
Produced by Casey, an emotional song in the acoustic/folk genre.
Inspired by the likes of
'Tiny Habits' and 'Lizzy McAlpine'
Recorded at Carroll Studios
Prologue (the Crucible)
Casey J. Carroll
This haunting introduction to 'the Crucible' was the first thing the audience heard as the lights turned on. incorporating multiple themes heard throughout the show, this track prepared the audience for the weight of the performance.
Daybreak - Casey J. Carroll
A relaxing piece inspired by the rise of a new dawn, and all that brings. Composed for a small chamber ensemble.