BLUE DANCES
by GIOVANNI SANTOS

Grade 4 | 5:15 | © 2018

Blue Dances is a work for wind ensemble dedicated to the beautiful people and island of Puerto Rico. After the devastating hurricane (Maria), I felt a need to give back in some way. My connection to Puerto Rico is deep. I had the privilege of living there for over 9 years as a young boy. When the island suffers, I suffer. When the island celebrates, I celebrate. Composing Blue Dances was an act of love. The piece starts with sounds of the ocean, and a delicate trio between the flute, oboe, and flugelhorn. The Latin melodies throughout the piece represent a positive outlook towards the future of this island. The people of Puerto Rico are resilient, strong, positive, and always loving. These beautiful sentiments are what I hope I was able to have Blue Dances represent.

Recorded in Fall 2020 by the Seattle Pacific University Wind Ensemble and Danny Helseth.