Peyton Gray ’24 is a recent graduate from Illinois State University’s School of Music who majored in music composition. Gray’s composition Airborne was premiered as part of the Illinois State University Wind Symphony’s spring 2024 tour and concert program. Gray also played trombone in the wind symphony. The following is an interview with Gray about his composition, Airborne.
What was your inspiration for Airborne?
I wanted this piece to convey the feeling of weightlessness and flying.
What was your process in creating this piece? How long did it take?
I wrote Airborne over the fall 2023 semester for a project assigned to all composition majors. The ISU Wind Symphony does something called a “reading session,” where they sight read each of the composition majors’ works toward the end of the semester. I had never composed for an orchestra before and wanted to try it out. After finishing the orchestra version, over Thanksgiving break I arranged Airborne for a band.
Did you know that this piece would be performed by the ISU Wind Symphony? What was your reaction?
After wind symphony sight read Airborne, Dr. Marinello, the director of the ISU Wind Symphony, talked to me and said he really liked the piece. He said he would potentially want to perform it in the future! I would later find out that Airborne would be performed both in the Wind Symphony’s upcoming tour and concert.
What has your experience been with hearing something you composed being played by the Wind Symphony?
It was a great feeling to hear it. The reading session is the first time you get to hear your piece being played live. It’s a lot to think about because you envision what you want it to sound like in person rather than what you previously heard through a computer.
What was it like playing in your own composition?
It was a great time, honestly. But you are also multitasking in a way, focusing both on your own part and what’s going on around you. We would record each rehearsal so that I could listen back and give any feedback I had to my colleagues!
Is concert music your favorite genre of music to create and listen to?
I listen to and love a lot of band music! Band music is what introduced me to composing. But I also love listening to genres like hip-hop, R&B, house music, and more! I want to pull inspiration from other genres and incorporate that into my future compositions.
What was the most challenging part about writing this piece, and what are you most proud of about it?
The most challenging part about writing this was figuring out the title. With my previous compositions, I have come up with a title in the early stages of the writing process. With Airborne, I came up with the title toward the end of the writing process. However, I feel like a lot of my strengths in composition came out in this piece.
Gray plans to attend Ohio’s Bowling Green State University for a master’s degree in music composition. Listen to the last minute of Peyton Gray’s Airborne below!
