On the Inside by Emma Lippert

The premiere of On the Inside for reed quintet (2024) by ‪@emmalippertmusic‬ Matthew Rome ~ Clarinet Ty’Rese Mendez ~ Soprano Saxophone Cole Ashcraft ~ Baritone Saxophone Luis Gomez ~ Bass Clarinet Nathaniel Scott ~ Bassoon Performed November 12th, 2024 “On the Inside for reed quintet is a reflection on my experience from being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as an adult. I, like many other women, was diagnosed later in life, due to my symptoms not being very obvious. Many young girls are overlooked because of their fair grades, good manners, and quiet disposition. Hyperactivity presents itself in different ways depending on the person. For me and many others, it presents itself as inattentiveness. The struggle can be invisible. In the long run, not knowing that there is an actual wiring difference in your brain can end up being harmful to your self esteem, mental health, relationships, and other aspects of your life. I am eternally grateful for my diagnosis, and aware of the privilege of being able to seek professional help. Constant, overlapping thought patterns are what this piece is intended to mimic. From beginning to end, it is very fast-paced, containing many repeating lines that transform over time. While ideas come back frequently, they never come back in the same context. I utilize an increasing amount of polyrhythms as the piece progresses. A few, entirely homorhythmic sections, as well as smaller moments, are used in contrast to this. I use an atonal focus with the intent of creating an overall unstable feeling. Sections are also only transposed in increments of a half or whole step. The piece develops into an entirely unfamiliar ending, signifying how poor working memory can leave a person forgetting their initial thought” - Emma Lippert