“[Valor] is the Thrower family motto from hundreds of years ago. It’s also a concept that helped get me into [Arizona State University] for my doctoral studies. [Professor] Hickman asked for a very difficult orchestral excerpt during my audition. [Béla Bartók’s “Concerto for Orchestra.”] I expressed some trepidation, but decided to give it a shot. I nailed it! Then Hickman turned to me with a big smile, ‘I give extra points for valor!’ So I’m pretty sure this little two-minute musical journal entry will keep the name ‘Valor’… as a motivational cheer for my next ten years in the Air Force. Valor! Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. Ok, in the face of life’s many battles, Valor it is! And on to the next ten years!”

The music is in AA’BA’ form. The B section is heavily influenced by the thematic material of the A section, but with a strongly contrasting mood that could be dubbed quiet dignity. A finale section follows the last A with some motivic twists from throughout the piece, decisively ending with a power that could well be accompanied by a dazzling flurry of fireworks.

None of the performers get much of a reprieve throughout the two minutes packed full of notes. The first trumpet part stays in the upper mid-range for most of it, which would absolutely sparkle on an E-flat trumpet (alternate part provided). Second trumpet is also demanding. The horn part demands a decent level of mastery in the high range as well as the low range, vehemently forsaking its traditional role of off beats. The trombone and tuba parts also present their challenges, and never really stop longer than to take a breath. Although this work could conceivably be performed without percussion, doing so is strongly discouraged. The power delivered by the snare, bass, and cymbals, and even the triangle in the B section, make the part arguably indispensable.