"Blueshift Red" was commissioned by the West Michigan Flute Orchestra, Julie Sooy, director. From the composer: “We have all experienced a noisy vehicle going by rapidly and hearing a raised pitch as the vehicle approaches and a lowered pitch as it recedes. This Doppler shift manifests itself in light, as well: light from stars approaching us has its frequency raised, shifting it to the blue end of the spectrum; light from receding stars is shifted to the red. The title, then, refers to something passing quickly."

Instrumentation:

• Piccolo
• 4 C Flutes
• Alto Flute
• Bass Flute
• Contrabass Flute (or Contralto Flute in G)
• String Bass (as an alternative to the Contra Flute part)