Currents for Symphonic Winds

a piece for wind ensemble by Dr. Dana Reason

You stand at the edge of the Northwest Pacific Ocean. The water is cold and dark, unpredictable; the wild wind howls and moans. Restless, aggressive waves attack, hoping to swallow you whole. Currents reflects that mood. Things happen. You thrash about, fight desperately against the undertow, almost drown. But you survive. You create. Miracles take place.

Currents was composed by Dr. Dana Reason in 2012, and commissioned by the Oregon State University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Christopher Chapman. It is dedicated to Thomas and Susan with gratitude.

Dr. Dana Reason is a composer, improvisor, keyboardist, sound artist, producer and researcher, with a PhD in Critical Studies and Experimental Practices from the University of California, San Diego. Her focus is on performance, improvisation, composition, scoring, and research in new and emergent musical fields.

As a performing artist working at the intersections of twentieth and twenty-first century musical genres and intermedia practices, she moves easily between genres encompassing a dynamic stylistic range and repertoire. 

She has been featured on more than 17 commercially released recordings, including as a member of The Space Between Trio with American electronic arts pioneer, Pauline Oliveros.

As a film composer, performer and arranger, Reason has created music for a variety of genres including: film, theatre, games and large and small ensembles.