Home on the Range

Home on the Range is a composition inspired by the American folk tune of the same title. Growing up in Korea, I fondly remember my mother singing this tune to me, albeit with Korean lyrics. Until I did the research to find an American folk tune to work with, I remained unaware of the melody's true origin. This revelation prompted me to reflect on the remarkable ability of folk tunes to transcend cultural boundaries, creating a sense of familiarity and nostalgia across the globe. The piece comprises seven sections, each intricately woven around the original tune. At times, I explore intervalic relationships derived from the melody, while in other instances, the entire melodic line is skillfully embedded throughout the composition. This project marked a departure from my usual creative process; tasked with completing a 5-7 minute chamber piece in just 14 days for the competition, I found myself making musical decisions at an unprecedented speed. The result was a fascinating journey of rapid composition, where every note was imbued with a sense of urgency and creative spontaneity.