WINDS OF MARS

Due out to consortium members on September 1, 2024, Winds of Mars is inspired by the first audio recorded on Mars. In February 2021 the Mars Perseverance Rover recorded live audio of The Red Planet. Audio captured was of various audible sounds, most notably the wind. This electroacoustic work for band will utilize the original recording of the wind on Mars, however it will also explore the different types of wind that move across the barren landscape. Winds of Mars will also delve a bit into the difference in how sound is experienced on Earth versus how it is experienced on Mars (that is, of course, if you didn't need a space suit and helmet to breathe).

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There are many people making this piece possible and I would like to recognize each of them. The following is a list of directors and schools funding the development of Winds of Mars:

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• John A. Boyd, Princess Anne High School (Virginia Beach, VA) - Consortium Organizer

• Darrell Pearman, Blacksburg High School (Blacksburg, VA)

• Gilbert Rupp

• Matthew Baker, Cooper Middle School Band (McLean, VA)

• John Schiffler, Freedom High School (South Riding, VA)

• Drew Ross, Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, VA)

• Vincent Guzman, Hanover High School (Mechanicsville, VA)

• Cameron Baker, Kellam High School (Virginia Beach, VA)

• Jamie Tucker, Landstown High School (Virginia Beach, VA)

• Dr. Josh Brandon, Loganville High School (Loganville, GA)

• Chris Caldwell, Lord Botetourt High School (Daleville, VA)

• Megan Stallings, Loudoun Valley High School (Purcellville, VA)

• Chris Weiss, McLean High School (McLean, VA)

• Gordon Rawls, Midlothian High School (Midlothian, VA)

• Dr. Jamie VanValkenburg, Oakton High School (Vienna, VA)

• Stan Renda, Ogden High School (Ogden, UT)

• Jim Reid, Old Donation School, Home of the Brickell Academy for Advanced Academics and Arts (Virginia Beach, VA)

• Manuel Hernandez, Plaza Middle School (Virginia Beach, VA)

• Ryan Gillis, Potomac Sr. High School (Dumfries, VA)

• Kevin Engdahl, South County High School (Lorton, VA)

• Steve Ballard, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria, VA)

• Alan Johnson, Westfield High School (Chantilly, VA)

• Damien Gaiters

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And, of course, this piece wouldn't be possible in this capacity without the scientists, engineers, and astronauts behind the MARS 2020 Mission and the Perseverance Rover. To find out more about this cool mission and all the science and media behind it, check out NASA's site HERE.