Joel Thompson

An Act of Resistance

$119.95

Duration: 7'

Instrumentation: Orchestra (3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/timp.3-4 perc/hp/str)

Instrumentation: Orchestra
Delivery Method: Physical Delivery
Performance Materials: Full Score

An Act of Resistance, Joel Thompson (2022)
for orchestra

In writing this orchestral work, Joel Thompson decided to write a piece that would help him, and hopefully others, rebuild the strength necessary to love deeply, genuinely, and passionately. The work is a battle between selfishness and empathy—pride v. love—and because one is easier than the other, the victor is clear towards the end of the piece.

Orchestral instrumentation: 3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/timp.3-4 perc/hp/str

Orchestral performance parts are available via rental.

Click here for a rental quote.

Shipping & Returns

Physical copies ship in 2-3 business days.
Digital copies delivered to customer email upon checkout.

Returns accepted for physical copies within 30 days of delivery.
Returns are not accepted for digital products.

137-004-FS
Instrumentation: Orchestra
Delivery Method: Physical Delivery
Performance Materials: Full Score

About the Work

Duration: 7'

Instrumentation: Orchestra (3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/timp.3-4 perc/hp/str)

Technical Requirements: The final measure includes an element of chance whereby the orchestra is provided four singing options in their parts. It is important that whether any one person chooses to sing, including which option, dynamics, timing, and synchronicity with any other people, is entirely a personal decision on an individual level in the moment.

“If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” Many consider this oft-used saying to be true as it relates to physical fitness, artistic skills, and even mental fortitude. Given the ubiquitous divisiveness and turmoil in the world over the last few years, it seems that this adage may also have other applications. Maybe I'm naive, but I think our current condition can be diagnosed as a severe deficiency in empathy— our world is lacking the strength to love. We haven’t been using it, so we’ve lost it.
This dearth in empathy is so pervasive that is now the new norm. People pride themselves in their rigid opposition of even listening to someone of differing viewpoints in a spirit of openness. So I decided to write a piece that would help me, and hopefully others, rebuild the strength necessary to love deeply, genuinely, and passionately.
This piece is essentially a battle between selfishness and empathy—pride v. love—and because one is easier than the other, the victor is clear towards the end of the piece. It is important that the decision to perform the music that follows “the end” remains a choice for each individual member of the ensemble.
Asking orchestral musicians to put down their instruments and stand up and sing is risky. The act requires a certain vulnerability. It can be perceived as cheesy; It can elicit negative reactions. Only a few people may choose to do it, and therefore be lonely. It can be uncomfortable. But such is the love that is required to truly change our current circumstance.