When I was a kid growing up in rural Indiana, I was obsessed with the idea of being able to fly. I tried to build a helicopter, then an airplane. Both projects failed, but that didn’t stop my imagination.
I would picture myself soaring high above the trees, climbing through the clouds, and finally rising into the sunlight above them all. Looking back, I feel a longing for the magic and freedom of childhood imagination.
Flying tells the story of a boy, really a version of myself, who realizes that dream after months of work. In the opening section, I imagine him going to his barn before sunrise, with fog still hanging over the fields and the stars fading in the distance. He uncovers the rocket pack he built, checks the levels, straps it on, and walks out into the field. For a moment he hesitates, gripped by fear and uncertainty. What if it explodes? What if he crashes? But his dream is stronger than his fear, and he takes that first step toward flight.
The music unfolds through three main themes. The Courage Theme is the heart of the piece, a mix of hope, anticipation, and resolve. It evokes the feeling of standing in that foggy Indiana field at dawn, ready to test the rocket pack for the first time. There is wonder in it, but also fear, doubt, and uncertainty. The Flight Theme captures lift-off, the moment of pure exhilaration and freedom. It is bright, soaring, and full of energy, like the rush of wind and sunlight breaking through the clouds. The Imagination Theme is more reflective, childlike, and dreamlike, as if looking back on the experience through memory. It romanticizes the feeling of flight, tying back to that inner world of imagination that defined so much of childhood.
There’s a sense of wonder, but also loss and nostalgia, reflecting how fleeting those magical, imaginative moments become as we grow older. Whether our childhood was joyful or challenging, our inner world of imagination shaped who we are today. Flying is my way of revisiting that feeling, and I invite the audience to connect with that inner source to rediscover the dreams that define us.
