Event Horizon

Event Horizon was written on a commission from the Volusia (located in the east-central part of Florida) All-County Honor Band, Dr. Gary Green – Conductor, by John Dupius (see below) in 2023.

From the composer:

“I was inspired to write this piece after I learned of the power and mystery of a Black Hole’s event horizon, a point that marks the boundary between a Black Hole and the rest of the universe.

Nothing inside the event horizon can ever escape—the gravity being so strong that not even light can make its way out. The piece begins with an ominous fanfare at a fast pace (152 beats per minute). The phrase following the introduction presents the first appearance of the A theme, followed by a developmental section and transition into the B theme. The C theme serves as a chorale-like movement of peace in an otherwise energetic, pounding and forward-moving work. The piece continues in a return of modified B theme material, a final statement of the A theme, and ends boldly with the initial rhythmic motif introduced first in the ninth measure.”

Composer John Dupuis (b. 1980) received his Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Music Composition and his Master of Music degree in conducting, music education and music composition from the University of South Florida.

He is currently the Performing Arts specialist with Volusia County Schools, overseeing 80+ school music, dance and theatre programs. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Dupuis was the director of bands and orchestras at Spruce Creek High School. In addition, he is past Conductor of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra in Orlando, past conductor of the Sarasota Orchestra Youth Symphony, and the Summer at the Symphony Music Program, and for six years was the director of bands at Howard W. Blake Performing Arts High School in Tampa, Florida.

Ensembles under his direction have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and Southwark Cathedral in London, as well as venues in Ireland, England, Germany, France, Chicago, Orlando, Tampa, and Washington D.C. His ensembles have consistently received superior ratings, including numerous ‘straight superior’ ratings at the state level. In Chicago, his wind ensemble earned the title of ‘Grand Champion’ of the Chicago National Wind Band Invitational, and most recently, his 220-member marching band earned the title of ‘Grand Champion’ of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.

Mr. Dupuis serves as an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the state of Florida, adjudicating solo and ensemble music performance assessments.

He is an active composer and arranger, with works being commissioned and performed by various ensembles throughout the United States, including Radford University, New Mexico State University, the Florida Orchestra, the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, and others. His band compositions/arrangements have been performed by numerous college and high school bands throughout the United States. His music has also been featured at Universal Studios’ “Islands of Adventure”.

The music for Event Horizon was purchased for The Gateway Concert Band by

Brian and Barbara Murray.