Into the Crypt (2019)
Commissioned by the Leechburg Middle School Concert Band
Mr. Jacob Mrochek, director
About the Music
Into the Crypt details the eerie and exhilarating journey of a treasure-seeking grave robber through an ancient tomb. The piece opens as the looter carefully edges his way into the dimly-lit and cobweb-laden crypt. He slowly creeps further and further into the ancient structure, knowing any false step could result in his demise...
Suddenly, there is a noise in the distance. Something is quickly approaching the treasure-seeker. He begins to move at a quicker pace while still being careful not to set off any centuries-old booby traps. However, as his impending doom seems to be drawing nearer by the second, the looter can't afford to be careful with his steps any longer, and takes off at a torrid pace, weaving his way through the maze-like crypt.
As he feels that he has outrun whatever danger had been following him, the looter realizes that he had run himself directly to the center of the crypt... to the threshold of the tomb containing the priceless treasure he had sought after for so long. He slowly approaches the doorway to the vault, and as he enters, he is overcome with joy and excitement. All of his years of research, all of the sacrifices he made, all of the risks he'd taken along the way finally came to fruition at that moment. He stares admiringly at the mountains of gold when he realizes that he is not alone... Other treasure-seekers - pirates - had followed him to cash in on his discovery, and were noisily making their way towards the treasure.
Without hesitation, the looter snatches what he can and takes off. Sprinting through the labrynth once again, he tries to find a way out. He hurdles, dives, and spins his way through the crypt, dodging the skeletons of those who came before him and failed to make it out. He can't help but think he might soon join their ranks...
He sees an opening ahead, where the evening's moonlight trickles through, guiding his path to escape. As he makes his way towards the crypt's exit, he feels a sudden jolt in the ground. To his horror, the ground around him is seemingly disappearing. The ancient tomb is collapsing around him. His only choice is to continue running towards the light ahead of him. With debris falling all around him, and the cries of the unfortunate looters behind him ringing throughout the crypt, he makes one final leap through the quickly-collapsing outlet. He emerges beaten and battered, but alive and ready to hunt for treasure another day.