Description
With its notable presence throughout films and media, we all expected quicksand to exist as a more serious threat in our day-to-day lives. But worry not, aspiring adventurers! This work offers all the excitement of a quicksand-filled escapade, with none of the danger.
Program Notes
They say you should face your fears, but for a Gen X kid, nothing loomed larger than the ever-present threat of quicksand. Forget ghosts or monsters; quicksand was the true menace lurking in every movie and cartoon. We were both shaped and slightly traumatized by scenes in “The Princess Bride,” “The NeverEnding Story,” “Gilligan’s Island,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “MacGyver,” “Land of the Lost,” “Batman,” and every Saturday morning cartoon that thought sinking into a muddy abyss was appropriate children’s programming.
Musically, “Quicksand” is a dynamic and well-crafted work, offering rich harmonies and strong technical opportunities. Divisi cello writing adds depth, while independent bass lines provide a rare and rewarding spotlight. The piece encourages precision, ensemble awareness, and expressive playing across all sections. The middle section nods subtly to classic 70s and 80s quicksand tropes. Its tremolo motif creates a sense of sinking, evoking the tension and atmosphere of those memorable scenes.
Quicksand” was commissioned by Michael Tompkins, Paul O’Keefe, and the Hightower Trail Eighth Grade Orchestra for their performance at the 2025 Georgia Music Educators Association Convention.
