Past/Present

for flute/piccolo, clarinet, viola, cello, and fixed media

Past/Present is a celebration of humanity from all backgrounds and walks of life coming together to create something beautiful. It was inspired by the recent renovation by the Ford Motor Company of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit. This ornate building was once a busy place where people from all across the country came to work in or visit one of the largest and richest cities in the country. I remember visiting Corktown as a kid and seeing this dilapidated and overgrown landmark sitting alone in a field. Once Amtrak decided to move Detroit’s station away from Michigan Central, it fell into disrepair. Now, with the ground floor and much of the exterior restored, it is inspiring to see the history and culture of Detroit encapsulated into this one building. While I am not a Detroiter, having grown up in the surrounding metropolitan area, I visited Detroit often and have many fond memories. Past/Present is a story of an overlooked downtown making a comeback, and of the optimism of what can happen when you can go anywhere and do anything.