Max Letellier is a senior at New Berlin Eisenhower High School. He began taking lessons on piano when he was five, and violin when he was ten. He also plays clarinet in his high school band. This is Max’s fifth year in MYSO, where he is currently a violinist in the Senior Symphony, and his third time writing a piece for the John Downey Creation Project. When he is not composing, playing, or listening to music, Max enjoys cross country skiing, hiking, and reading. Max is excited for the opportunity to have such a high level ensemble play one of his compositions, and would like to thank Dr. Christian Ellenwood for helping him turn his ideas into a finished piece.

“Odyssey” is a dramatic piece meant to evoke the feeling of going on a journey. It begins with a rhythmic fanfare, accompanied by ornamental figures in the woodwind and mallet parts. This is followed by a romantic melody, which is based off of a theme stated in the opening section. This melody is first played by the cellos and solo french horn, and then repeated with fuller instrumentation. Next, the original fanfare theme returns.  Finally, the two main themes are juxtaposed against each other, and “Odyssey” comes to a triumphant end.