A three-movement symphonic work for full orchestra (Grade 5).
Program Notes
In honor of NASA’s Artemis II crewed spaceflight mission, the Clear Creek ISD Visual & Performing Arts Department commissioned Earthrise to be premiered by the Clear Creek ISD Symphony Orchestra in Spring 2026.
Earthrise is a cinematic journey to the moon! Inspired by astronaut interviews and biographies, Earthrise is a programmatic work narrating their experiences from launch to touchdown. The musical motifs and themes express the adventure, tension and wonder of those who rocket through space. The performance is sure to provide a transformative experience that will capture the imaginations of our community and engage the curiosity of our students for space exploration.
The Movements
I. The Launch
The first movement introduces a lone heroic theme on trumpet which develops into Artemis March. The march captures the crew’s fortitude and unwavering devotion to duty. The movement transitions to a “countdown” sequence, restating octatonic variations in growing tension. And then, liftoff! The music soars with a majestic and hymn-like procession of the Legacy Theme as the astronauts begin their ascent. An African-American spiritual entitled, When the Stars Begin to Fall, weaves in counterpoint with the Legacy Theme as the music becomes ever smaller and the rocket disappears from view.
II. Around the Moon
The second movement begins with a bang as we experience the pyrotechnic shock of booster separation. Once the boosters fall away, the Earth’s immense curvature comes into view. The Earth Theme describes the awesome wonder as we orbit the huge glassy ball. The music awakens us again from our dreamy state as we rocket from the safe orbit of Earth towards the moon.
The Moon Reveal theme reflects the eerie otherworldliness of the moon’s cratered surface. The gray lifeless shoal of countless pits left by ancient meteorites and asteroids remind us that we are far away from all we know and love. Melancholy remembrances of home flood our thoughts. The musical motif of Home begins to grow, and we see Earth rising over the moon’s horizon. Earthrise! There – there is home.
III. Triumphant Return
The third movement opens with Re-entry, a sequence of quiet aleatoric sounds from the orchestra and percussion as the Orion space capsule begins its descent through the Earth’s atmosphere. Turbulence and bright, colorful plasma flash through the windows. The ride becomes unforgettable. The music races through swirly flourishes, hexatonic distortions of the Artemis Theme, and stormy undercurrents from low brass and timpani. Finally, the worst is over, and we hear a brief, stately chorale of the Artemis Theme by horns and low brass. As the parachutes deploy, the orchestra victoriously reprises the Artemis and Legacy themes. The symphony concludes with a powerful, heroic touchdown!