Hey Kevin, this is great, thank for sharing! Very Hans Zimmer-esque with the horn “blats” Good job on your zero-crossing points at the beginning and end, and the loop seams to work well. How was it getting the reverb tail at the beginning?
I’m curious, what did you use to make this, in terms of DAW and sample libraries. To be an orchestral piece, it feels a little sparse to me. I think given the drama there’s some room for more orchestral percussion to drive the rhythm. Also, the cymbal feels a little out of place, like it’s stretched out, or more of a drumset cymbal or something. Not to say that you can’t add “non-orchestral” elements into the mix. It might be interesting to process that cymbal, maybe add some delay or reverse types of effects to make it eerie. I also don’t hear much in the way of woodwinds. Using your woodwinds in a staccato manner could help the rhythm too. Just a suggestion, but have woodwinds play chord harmonies, but not on every quarter note. They could perhaps play on 1, & of 2, 4, then rest for a bar. Or do an eighth note embellishment to lead in to the next phrase.
Just some ideas, but the anxious anticipation of the piece transcends through, well done!