Celestial Bodies - for symphonic band

Year: 2023

Grade: 4

Duration: ca. 5:15

Purchase: Murphy Music Press

Celestial Bodies was commissioned by two sisters, Samm Wunderlich and Charlotte D’Aleo, in honor of their father, Rob Wunderlich. Before Rob’s unexpected and tragic passing, he was a role model and a deeply appreciated member of his community who dedicated his time and energy to serving others. He was a regular parent volunteer for his children’s band program, always doing everything he could to support their success. He was kind, enthusiastic, and bursting at the seams with love to give to others.

When learning about Rob from Samm and Charlotte, I was re-struck by a metaphorical idea that recurs in my mind. For a long time, I’ve imagined the interactions we have with individuals and communities as being like those of celestial bodies in our grand universe; through powerful fundamental forces, we orbit one another, pulling and pushing, shaping the paths we take forward. As children, we orbit our parents. As people, we orbit our communities. And although each of our paths are uniquely our own, they are defined in part by the forces exerted on us by those we pass by. When we lose a celestial body—especially such a powerful and impactful one—there is a force on our lives that we will never feel again. And yet, its effects will last forever. The gravity of Rob’s life, work, and love was significant and powerfully meaningful, and his impact on the paths of those whose lives he touched is irrevocable.

Celestial Bodies begins with a shock of grief and mourning, but it doesn’t stay there. As grief subsides, it is taken over by joy and celebration for the life Rob lived and the lasting effects that his love had on others—and, by extension, the impact that we can all have by giving love freely and fiercely to all whose paths we cross.