The Ride

"The Ride" was commissioned by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Mitchell B. Lutch. The piece was inspired by the opening of the Major Taylor Museum in Worcester, where Major Taylor spent much of his life, including the years when he was an active cyclist and World Champion. Marshall "Major" Taylor was perhaps the greatest athlete of his generation. He was the first African American cyclist to win a World Championship in cycling and only the second African American to win a world championship in any sport! I had been raised in the sporting culture of the New England Area and I knew all of the local heroes of that time, but I had never heard of Major Taylor. His accomplishments have been masked by the racism of his era and by the racism that continued long after his death into our time. As I've learned more about Major Taylor my admiration has continued to grow. He was Passionate, Determined and Resilient man. In addition to being the best in his field, he was a poet, a musician, and a spiritual man. He had a policy that he would never race on Sundays, that day was devoted to his faith. He was an advocate of fair play and sportsmanship. The Ride is written about four significant events in his life. Quartal harmony is featured throughout the piece. The narration may be performed by up to four speakers. The stirinng English Horn solo is also cue for alto saxophone. As of this writing, there is a bill in both The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, initiated by Representative Jonathan Jackson of Illinois