D a v i d   V e s s

Cometsong is a short fanfare for trumpet ensemble, written for Dr. Spencer Aston and the Bridgewater State University Trumpet Ensemble. The musical language is modal, with much of the music existing between two competing polarities: the Dorian mode, a darker sonority and the Lydian mode, the brightest mode. These two conflict modes fight against each other like two centers of gravity, each trying to pull the piece in its own direction. While the opening is rooted in the darker side, the brighter sonority ultimately prevails, sailing forth like a comet streaking across the night sky. This was premiered by Marie Speziale at BSU in 2020.