“Volo”, (the v is pronounced with a “w” sound in classical Latin) is a homonym for two different verbs in Latin: volo, velle meaning to want and volo, volare meaning to fly. This means the title can be translated in two ways, “I want to fly” and “I fly, to fly”. Both statements are autobiographical of this piece and my mindset at the time of writing it. I had just graduated high school when I began this piece in 2020 with any future career in music being a great unknown. The four note main motive came to me on one of many walks taken to shake off pandemic induced cabin fever, and I soon got to work sketching a larger piece.

I looked to capture the excitement I had for creation, the aspirations of a future in writing music tempered by trepidation. The slow theme heard at the beginning represented hope and longing for artistic success, that four-note motive the joy and act of creation, and the chaotic chromatic theme as the creeping in of doubt. The final product was a sonic storyboard of sorts, one could imagine a character cartoonishly oscillating between careful planning, frenzied invention, and destructive failure. No matter an audience interpretation, I hope that the uninhibited joy and excitement of the piece is apparent.

“I want to fly”, I create because I dream of a better me, a better artist.

“I fly, to fly”, I create because I love creating.

Volo Volare