Major Aspirations

Description

Time for your band to let everyone know that they’ve got their sights set high! There will be no question about it when you program this bold and determined-sounding, yet accessible work.

Program Notes

My father had one dream while growing up: to attend the University of Florida and become a criminal defense attorney. Born and raised in the small town of Live Oak, Florida, in the 1930s, he had a front-row seat to the rampant racism that permeated the Deep South. This affected him deeply. His decision to become an attorney, and later, a judge, was rooted in the belief that all people are equal. That regardless of the charges against a person, everyone deserves a fair and just trial, in front of an impartial judge, with an attorney who rigorously advocates for their client.

My father realized his dream. Studious and active during his school years, he was that kid who played football, then slung on the Snare Drum to march halftime still wearing his football uniform! In 1959 he proudly graduated from the University of Florida School of Law and made a career for himself in South Florida, where he eventually became a Broward County Circuit Court Judge. As I write these program notes, my father just celebrated his 92nd birthday, and even now, besides his family, his one love is the law.

“Major Aspirations” is the story of this young kid from Live Oak finally stepping onto the Gainesville campus for the first time. Written in a minor key, peppered throughout the piece are rhythmic snippets of songs one might experience at a UF football game. Listen closely and hear the carillon bells ringing across the campus. A special bonus is a super-cool Snare part in honor of my father’s snare-drumming days. The music concludes by bursting into a major key: Dad is on the college campus! I hope your students will enjoy bringing this piece to life while inspiring them to always pursue their passions.

With love, “Major Aspirations” is dedicated to my father, Broward County Circuit Court Judge J. Leonard Fleet.