Pax Americana

For Flexible Instrumentation or Full Band
Duration: 2:30 minutes

Pax Americana, or “American Peace,” refers to a period of relative peace in the years proceeding wartime America. The term was first coined following the close of the American Civil war and was subsequently used in reference to periods of “peace” following successful American imperialistic efforts and war triumphs. In a modern sense, Pax Americana refers to the years following World War II in which the United States emerged as a superpower providing support to help rebuild parts of Western Europe while also establishing a large, ongoing international military presence. By some accounts, Pax Americana is symbolic of American power and diplomatic control. The last decade has, however, highlighted a terse, divided country struggling to conceptualize domestic peace. This piece is an expression of longing for true peace or the pursuit of an ideal of peace.

The work is available in versions for both full band and for flexible instrumentation. The original version was written for five (5) parts and could be assigned any combination of instruments provided that all five parts are covered. It will sound best if the parts are assigned based on register as they are in the score. Each of the five (5) parts could, for example, be assigned to the core instruments of a string orchestra, string quintet, or woodwind quintet and be successful. The work could be performed without percussion, but it is highly recommended that they be used if possible.