in•ter•stice  /in-ˈtər-stəs/ n.
plural  interstices  /in-​ˈtər-​stə-​ˌsēz/
1. a space or interval between objects or points, especially a very small one.
2. (Chemistry) the space between adjacent atoms in a crystal lattice.

As the title suggests, Interstices explores the idea of “between-ness” in its various manifestations: intervallic relationships, the percussion instruments’ intermediary function between the two wind instruments, the changing relationship between the flute/piccolo and soprano/tenor saxophones, the continuously changing physical space between the three performers, and the function of the solos between the tutti sections. These various “spaces” are in flux throughout the entire work, as the elements that define them are constantly transformed. The work consists of four trios, each for a different pairing between the four wind instruments with percussion, which are connected by brief solo sections: performers may begin on any of the trio movements and proceed in either direction through the sequence, ending with a truncated reprise of the opening movement. In ref(ra/le)ction, the piccolo and tenor saxophone follow independent trajectories through a palindromic arrangement of four distinct musical identities, resulting in continuously changing relationships between the two parts. In strands and mutations, a series of descending and expanding arpeggio figures in the piccolo and soprano saxophone is gradually transformed, and ultimately fragmented and recombined before resuming their initial state. In quantum entanglement, the relationship between noise elements, dense figuration, and silence is explored, resulting in a kind of micro-level interference between the three instruments. In redshift/blueshift, a repeating melodic fragment undergoes transformations based on oscillations of several musical parameters—intervals, registers, durations, attack points, and dynamics—generating a series of phasing cycles within and between the flute and tenor saxophone parts.

Interstices was composed between October 2013 and March 2014 for saxophonist Gregory Dewhirst on a commission from Tarrant County College, and was first performed by Gregory Dewhirst, Kristan Dewhirst, and Peter Ferry on 21 March 2014 for the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference at The University of Illinois.