Shred of Existence (2024)

Duration: 6 minutes

Instrumentation: violin, oboe, and bass clarinet

Commission Details: Written for Taylor Barlow, Jennifer Case, and the International Clarinet Association’s 2025 Low Clarinet Festival

Program Note: "Shred of Existence" is an edgy, emo-influenced composition for oboe, violin, and bass clarinet that delves into themes of existential angst, emotional vulnerability, and the struggle for identity in a turbulent world. Inspired by the raw and expressive nature of emo music, it captures the listener’s emotions and takes them on a journey through despair, conflict, and resolution. This new piece explores the fragility of one's sense of self amid life's chaos and pressure, using the metaphor of an individual trying to hold on to their identity while facing internal and external forces that threaten to shred them apart.