Listen along with the score here: (34) Gateway to Freedom, Dr. Daniel Thrower - YouTube
Gateway to Freedom (Brass Quintet) with optional percussion:
When Dr. Thrower won the audition for a position in the Air Force Bands in 2011 it fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming a military musician. Then he experienced an intense eight-week party known as Basic Military Training! All new Airmen go through Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, which is known as the “Gateway to the Air Force.” Two reasons he chose to enter that Gateway were his patriotism toward the great United States of America, and the great benefits and security that the Air Force offered his family.
With these passions in mind, he composed a rousing musical depiction of becoming an Airman. The composition began before Basic Training, so the excitement and anticipation that he felt are exuberantly presented as heroic fanfares and patriotic gestures. However, he completed the composition after boot camp. Accordingly, in the middle of the piece there are moments of struggle and anguish that musically paint the common rigors of Basic Training. The piece ends with recapitulated heroic strains with additional flourishes, as the overall feel for this new life chapter was bound to be exhilarating and inspiring.
It is beneficial for the performers to visualize the exciting and difficult journey into the military as they prepare and perform “Gateway to Freedom.”
Also a play on the title, this piece was composed for and premiered by “Gateway Brass” (the brass quintet from the USAF Band of the West) in October 2011.
Special gratitude goes to Jim Bartelt (USAF, retired) who contributed greatly to the creation of the percussion part.
Gilded Music Press specializes in brass music and pedagogical materials composed and crafted by Dr. Daniel Thrower. His expertise and experience in the music world are now available in printed or PDF format for the music world's benefit.
For questions, specific requests, or to commission a new work from Dr. Thrower, please contact us via email or phone, below.
"You and your compositions deserve first rate ensembles, they’re that good! It’s an honor to know you and, from time to time, celebrate your wonderful accomplishments."
Dr. Daniel N. Thrower
Owner
"Gilded Music Press" was created specifically to make Dr. Daniel Thrower's high-quality music available. Dr. Thrower has been composing music and writing educational supplements for decades. He describes his music as a "personal musical journal". From his work with military ensembles to faculty and students of all ages, his music and teaching materials are created to edify audiences, professional colleagues, students, and himself. Through "Gilded Music Press" the global music community benefits from his excellent research, experience, and creative output. Many have enjoyed and benefited from his work throughout the world, and you will too once you discover his phenomenal products!