Phila Sophia - Score

Phila Sophia, Phila Mousa​ ​- f​or 4-part Flex Ensemble
optional percussion, optional electronics
Instrumentation:
Part 1:
Flute/Oboe/Violin
B♭ Clarinet/B♭ Trumpet
E♭ Alto Sax
Part 2:
Flute/Oboe/Violin
Viola
B♭ Clarinet/B♭ Trumpet
E♭ Alto Sax
F Horn
Part 3:
Viola
B♭ Clarinet/B♭ Tenor Sax
E♭ Alto Sax
F Horn
Trombone/Euphonium/Bassoon/Cello
Part 4:
Bass Clarinet/B♭ Tenor Sax
E♭ Bari Sax
Trombone/Euphonium/Bassoon/Cello/Double Bass
Tuba
Percussion 1(opt.)
Triangle
Shaker/Cabasa/Maraca
Percussion 2(opt.)
Suspended Cymbal
Shaker/Cabasa/Maraca
Score Notes:
- The electronics may be used as a click track, a part of the piece, or left out entirely. It is
completely up to the director and what works best for their ensemble.
- If the piece is performed in person and without electronics, the optional tempo changes are
highly recommended.
Program Notes:
This piece was written for the 2021 Middle School Outreach Ensemble at Colorado State
University. The theme for the year was “Keeping Music Alive” as we were currently in the
middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Phila” (Greek; ​philia,​ φɩλɩα) is a derivative of one of the
seven Greek words for love. It often refers to a friendly love, or a love between equals. “Sophia”
(Greek; ​sophía, ​σoφɩα)​ ​is the word for wisdom, specifically pertaining to art and handicraft.
These two words were combined to create the word we know as ​philosophy​. “Mousa” (Greek;
mousa, ​μoῦσα) means “art” or “poetry” and is where we get the word “music” from. The title as
a whole loosely translates to “love of wisdom, love of music”. I believe that one of the best
reasons to participate in music is simply for the love of it. Both Plato and Pythagoras recognised
philosophy as a subspecies of art, and because this piece is an expression on my own philosophy
of music, I felt compelled to include my “love of wisdom” within the title. This piece
intentionally does not resolve the final chord as if to say; “the music has not stopped”.