Iceberg Alley

The idea for Iceberg Alley came to me one day when reading about Iceberg A23a which is one of the largest icebergs on record. The iceberg calved from the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in 1986. At that point, it became “stuck” on the bottom of the ocean floor for next 34 years, finally beginning to move in 2020. By the time I came across the story, the iceberg had been traveling north for several years and was 3, 500 kilometers (1, 400 miles) - now the largest iceberg in the world. I imagined it traveling north in a sea of other icebergs. In fact, it was described to be spinning which to me sounded playful, and therefore, perfect for middle school.

The start of Iceberg Alley begins with a majestic feeling as if we are standing below it. Once it begins to spin, a five-note pattern is heard. At first the main character, this spinning idea falls into the background as the iceberg begins to pass landmarks. Different ideas take shape - long sustained notes when passing large bodies of land, melodic lines for another milestone, and changes in dynamics and articulations. It is my hope that the players who perform this work will imagine their own journey.

The last time I checked, Iceberg A23a had run aground again, began moving, and in September 2025, was seen breaking apart after passing northeast of Georgia.