for Strings & Percussion

“Dedicated to our Student Musicians, with special recognition to our Seniors for their incredible dedication to the orchestral program, even more so in the midst of the worldwide pandemic. They have found a way to “Make Every Moment Count” through Music.

The title, “Every Moment We Make,” was inspired by the motto “Make Every Moment Count,” coined by our high school principal, Mr. Gerard Owenburg. This work’s title brings his motto to its conclusion, namely, that it is up to all of us to make special moments happen. We make these moments happen sometimes alone and many times with the help of others.

Hence, the outstretched hand on the score cover. The score art seems to ask, “Do we have the chance to make moments of our lives into little miracles, such as a beautiful flower blooming from a broken piece of concrete?”

Thank you to my friend Stephen Melillo for taking us on a 7:23-minute journey of “moments” that have perfectly depicted the struggles, silver linings, and the incredible strides and joy that students all over the world have made this year.”

Walter Avellaneda, Conductor