Freedom Suite

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Freedom Suite is a three-movement reflection on the struggles people of African descent in America have faced in pursuit of gaining their freedom. Spirituals and gospel have always had a deep connection to African American culture, often being a rallying cry and encouragement in times of hardship. For this reason, I found it imperative I wrote a piece taking inspiration from some. The second movement of Freedom Suite is based off of two spirituals by the same name, “Hold On,” and the third movement is based off of a gospel song popular during the civil rights movement, “Woke Up This Morning.”

The first movement, “Longing for Freedom,” depicts the beginning seeds of discontent in the first slaves brought to the Americas. The second movement, “Barely Holding On,” portrays the exhaustion of enslaved individuals after centuries of slavery while highlighting the importance of abolitionists and leaders in providing hope that change might eventually come. This movement ends with a sense that there is hope for a better tomorrow. The final movement, “Stayed On Freedom,” is a celebration of what has been achieved and encouragement to keep striving for a brighter future. The third movement represents the unrelenting push for greater equality until true freedom is achieved.

— Jonathan Miller

NB: In the second movement, Trumpet 1 doubles flugelhorn, and the Trombone part includes optional use of a straight mute.