Composer Dr. Nolan Stolz, Associate Professor of Music at University of South Carolina Upstate, has been traveling up and down Route 66 since July 1 getting inspiration for his next major composition for orchestra.
The work, titled “Route 66 Suite,” will be a musical reflection of the historic highway, representing various aspects of the road. Stolz has been spending time in every town along Route 66, getting to know the community, including its business owners, residents, and historical buildings.
U.S. Highway 66 turns 100 years old in 2026, so Stolz will have the composition ready for orchestras to perform it during their 2025/26 season for the centennial. He will continue to travel Route 66 through the end of July 2022 and commence writing the music this August. Stolz will create a second version of the suite for concert band for colleges and community groups.
The piece will be divided into several sections, or movements, each depicting a different aspect of the historic road. The “Neon Dreams” movement, for example, is inspired by the many neon signs one finds along the road. The suite’s closer, “The Show Will Go On,” draws inspiration from theatres in Route 66 communities. Other movement titles include “26 Gas Stations,” “Among the Trees,” “A.D. 1926,” and “66 Ghost Towns.”
Stolz has been turning up information about many ghost towns along the highway, all for inspiration for the “66 Ghost Towns” movement. He has been sharing his research on his Patreon page, www.patreon.com/route66suite.
