The Perimeter (PDF)

The Perimeter is dedicated to Perimeter Flutes on their 20th Anniversary. Premiered at the 2025 National Flute Association Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Perimeter is a heartfelt tribute to the ensemble Perimeter Flutes, of which composer Nicole Chamberlain was a longtime member. The group is a close-knit circle of flutists who share not only a passion for music but also a deep camaraderie. The ensemble’s name is a nod to Interstate 285—known locally as "The Perimeter"—which encircles the city of Atlanta, Georgia.The work is structured in three movements, each capturing a different facet of life in and around the city:

• ITP (Inside the Perimeter): This vibrant opening movement captures the fast-paced, dynamic energy of life within the bounds of I-285, reflecting the creativity and motion of Atlanta’s urban core.

• Loop: Performed entirely on the headjoints of the flutes, this movement evokes the surreal, suspended state of being stuck in the perpetual traffic of the I-285 loop. It’s a sonic depiction of limbo—meditative and slightly maddening.

• OTP (Outside the Perimeter): The final movement transitions outward, journeying from city to suburbs and beyond. It reflects both physical and emotional expansion, moving toward broader horizons with a sense of release and reflection.

Together, the movements of The Perimeter paint a musical map of place, connection, and memory—both a portrait of Atlanta and a celebration of the ensemble that inspired it.

Instrumentation:
Flute I - C flute and piccolo
Flute II - C flute
Flute III - alto flute