Two Stepping (2021)

Mason Bynes, composer

Two Stepping premiered on December 10, 2021 after a close collaboration between WindSync and Bynes. The composer says, “Two Stepping is inspired by groove and syncopation, two compositional elements that I wanted to use in order to bring charisma and enthusiasm to wind quintet repertoire. This pieces combines Copland-esque lyricism and phrasing with fast articulations and jazz inspired idioms and groupings. Additionally, there are a few percussive elements featuring boot stomps that pay a fun homage to my hometown, Houston, TX, where the piece was premiered.”

After the initial premiere, Bynes, WindSync, and Houston Youth Symphony’s Coda Program collaborated to arrange a version of her piece that had hundreds of students stomping to the beat with WindSync as a part of the 2021 Onstage Offstage Chamber Music Festival.

The Two Stepping project was supported by a grant from the Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation and Research.​