In boxing, the term “seconds out” refers to the moment when coaches and trainers (or seconds) must be out of the ring, leaving the competitors alone to face the competition. In a similar vein, this composition provides a musical description of the challenges and triumphs of students as they transition from middle to high school, leaving their “seconds” (parents, mentors, etc.) behind to face life on their own terms. Featuring a strong sense of urgency throughout, Seconds Out is solidly written for inexperienced ensembles with plenty of tutti scoring, and interspersed with sections of contrasting dynamics and effective percussion writing.