Endurance is a musical reflection upon the infinite endurance of the human spirit, the religious spirit, and the spirit of the earth. Initial inspiration for the piece came from a book of the same title by Alfred Landsing documenting the amazing story of the ill-fated expedition of the Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1914-1916. His ship, the “Endurance,” became ice-bound and eventually sank, stranding Shackleton and his crew of 27. They experienced over 15 months of life exposed to the unrelenting, dangerous Antarctic weather, and miraculously survived to tell it. The strength of character exhibited by these men in enduring incredible hardships is truly awe-inspiring.

“Since reading this fascinating account, the story has been in the back of my mind whenever I find myself challenged by what seems to be insurmountable problems. It helps me put things into a proper perspective. I have also been moved by recent expressions of religious spirit around the world, finding solace in the realization that this spirit has and forever will endure in many forms. Finally, as we continue to pollute our planet, I can’t help but get the sense that it, too, will endure, going through some sort of forced evolution in spite of our maltreatment. All three spirits–human, religious, earth–also seem intertwined to me. In pondering them, I find hope and peace.”

Endurance was commissioned by the American Bandmasters Association in conjunction with the awarding of its 36th Biennial ABA/Ostwald Composition Award for Mahr’s 1990 work The Soaring Hawk. Endurance was premiered by the United States Interservice Band at the 58th Annual Convention of the American Bandmasters Association in Constitution Hall, Washington D.C. on March 7th, 1992. 

Timothy Mahr is well known as a composer and has over 40 works to his credit. His compositions have been and continue to be performed by service bands, major university bands, the Goldman Memorial Band, all-state bands, and ensembles worldwide. Many of his works have been broadcast on the Minnesota Public Radio network. Recordings of three of his works can be found on the Crest label.

Timothy Mahr is recently retired as Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota at Duluth. He conducted the UMD Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and various brass ensembles. He remains active as a guest conductor and clinician and is in demand across the United States as well as Norway and Canada. 

Program note and composer biography adapted by Elisabeth Jackson from that provided by the composer