Goin’ Uptown

Written for the virtuoso ensemble Uptown Flutes and premiered with the composer herself as soloist, Goin’ Uptown is a lively, happy morsel that joyfully describes all the many ways a person travels through a city. It begins with an image of rush hour traffic through a syncopated 8th note ostinato pattern played by the piccolo. As each flutist joins in with the same bouncy rhythm, there is a sense of travelers packing into a subway car heading to work. The soloist flute part has a capricious, spicy nature in the styles of jazz and Afro-Cuban music throughout, fueled by a network of intricate rhythms within the background that form a fun groove when locked into place. The result is a toe tapping feel that gives a modern approach to being in a drum circle, ending with an bluesy improvised ‘last word’ from the soloist.

Goin’ Uptown is recommended for advanced ensembles.