Prodigies: Heralds of a New Age is an original composition by Michael Siler. The program, presented in four movements, explores the many facets of being a child prodigy - from celebration to isolation, from rebellion to the joys of new discoveries and experiences.

The first movement, entitled Heralds, is a fanfare and overture celebrating the child genius. With this discovery comes tremendous promise and hope for the child's future.

The second movement, The Child Within, is a day-dreamscape, filled with images of other children on a playground fulfilling their needs to explore, to socialize, to be young, something that has escaped the child prodigy who seemingly is destined to endure a life of practice, drill, routine and isolation.

The third movement, Isolation, is a ballad, suggesting the child's inner conscience, contemplating a life of normality, away from a hopeless prescription of isolation. The inner voice is portrayed by three soloists on a far away stage, and is enticed by an alternate destiny, a far away cry of a clarinet soloist.

The fourth movement, Rebellion and Acceptance, is an aggressive musical montage, portraying the child prodigy lashing out against the governing powers of his or her own self-conscience. Through this demonstration, however, the child prodigy comes to grips with the extreme promise of the gift. With this realization, the prodigy embraces the future, and accepts the role as a leader, a virtuoso,.... a HERALD of a NEW AGE.