Listening Presentation #2 - A Journey into the Unknown

 Overture for Euphoniums and Tubas

    Overture for Euphoniums and Tubas (2015) by Parker Gaims performed by

MGySgt Mark Jenkins, MSgt Matthew Summers, GySgt Ryan McGeorge, and SSgt Hiram Diaz, euphonium

MGySgt John Cradler and SSgt Simon Wildman, tuba

Parker Gaims is a Washington, D.C. based clarinetist and composer whose compositions have been performed by the United States Marine Band, Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, DePaul University Wind Symphony, Northwestern Clarinet Faculty, DePaul Clarinet Faculty, the Los Angeles Symphonic Winds, pianist Winston Choi, and members of every D.C. service band.

The Overture for Euphoniums and Tubas is a piece that I was unfamiliar with until searching for pieces for ensembles that I was unfamiliar with. The amount of character changes is astounding and well composed. I appreciate the warmth and group sound of this type of ensemble and the versatility that the valved instruments allow for, great technical ability, as well as beautiful melodic capabilities. 

The program notes for this piece are as follows: "Overture for Euphoniums and Tubas was commissioned in 2015 by Marine Band euphonium player Staff Sgt. Hiram Diaz. His request was actually for a quartet for two euphoniums and two tubas. But after pondering that instrumentation for a while, I composed this piece, which includes two extra euphonium parts. As a composer, I likely broke the number one rule regarding commissions: write for the requested ensemble! Despite this, SSgt Diaz responded enthusiastically to my work. The piece is a short romantic overture in several distinct sections. It opens with a slow C minor introduction. Though the music is somewhat dissonant and a bit unsettling at times, the key area of E-flat major is briefly emphasized. After a series of somber descending dissonances, the ensemble cadences in C major. The longer second section begins in E-flat major and travels through many key areas. It contains a slower, introspective secondary theme. The section concludes with a dramatic C minor version of the theme and a transition back to the grave introductory material. After this brief interlude, the piece ends joyously in E-flat major. The texture created by this group of instruments is one of warmth and depth."

BLUE MONK for Trumpet Quartet

BLUE MONK for trumpet quartet (2017) by V.Valerio performed by Paolo Trettel 

As I was thinking about what type of ensembles I was unfamiliar with, I referenced the variety of ensembles that I WAS familiar with, and thought about my love of jazz trombone sextets, which led me to assume that similar ensembles existed for the other brass instruments as well. This led me to discover Valter Valerio's arrangements for trumpet quartet and trumpet ensemble. Valerio's arrangements are approachable for students of varying levels. While not the most complex arrangement, it is great for young students who are looking to play with each other. 

verbatim. for Horn Octet and Fixed Media

verbatim. for Horn Octet and Fixed Media (2023) by Aliyah Danielle

Performed by: Torrin Hallett, Amber Wang, Gretchen Berendt, Will Sands, Stephanie Fritz-Ferguson, Corey Schmidt, Braydon Ross, and Oved Rico

verbatim., Was commissioned by Lanette Compton and the Oklahoma State Horn Octet and was premiered in 2023 at the MidSouth Horn Workshop. 

Aliyah is a vocal as well as horn performer, composer, producer, and educator. She frequently performs music influenced by funk, neo-soul, gospel, jazz, classical, and other contemporary styles. 

When listening to fixed media and brass works, I often notice that the backing track is overbearing or takes away from the performance for me. This work strikes a nice balance between ensemble parts and backing track, and weaves them together in a tasteful manner.

A Song for Japan

A Song for Japan (2011) by Steven Verhelst performed at the 2011 Melbourne International Festival of Brass

In 2011, Steven participated in a charity project for the victims of the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. What resulted is one of Verhelst's most popular works. It has been performed by every arrangement of brass ensemble imaginable. The sombre melody is handed from instrument to instrument until it finally reunites as a whole ensemble with brighter harmonies. This signifies the idea that even with tragedy and grief, as a community, you can overcome hardship together.

First Trombone Quartet

First Trombone Quartet (2005) by Saskia Apon 

performed by Polina Tarasenko, Tolga Akman, Elai Grisaru Drori, and Amit Rozenzweig

Saskia Apon has given many gifts to the trombone world; her most notable is her First Trombone Quartet. Wild character shifts, beautiful melodies, and a demanding amount of coordination and control of time. Composed in 2005, it quickly became a standard of the repertoire being called for on quartet competitions around the world and appearing on many recitals.

NO ELEGÍ CONOCERTE

NO ELEGÍ CONOCERTE (2018) by Banda MS 

Alan Ramírez, vocalist Oswaldo Silvas (Walo), vocalist Jairo Osuna, clarinet Pavel Ocampo, clarinet Elías Nordahl Piña, trumpet David Castro Lejarza, trumpet Ricardo Nordahl Piña, trumpet Nicolás Tiznado, tenor horn José Osuna, tenor horn Francisco Hernández, trombone José Viera, trombone José Rojas, trombone Roberto Frausto, tuba Christian Osuna, drum Luis Fernando Osuna, snare drum Armando Ramírez, vocalist Gerson Leos, piano Jessi Gomez, piano Alen Mesa, tuba

Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga, or simply Banda MS, is a banda group out of Sinaloa, Mexico. Keeping with the theme of my blog, which focuses on vocal music and brass bands, banda music fits perfectly. The high-octane brass playing perfectly complements the voice, whether by supporting the melodic lines or accenting punctuation. 

Infinite Ascent

Infinite Ascent (2008) by Erik Morales performed by Students from the Tokyo University of the Arts

Before starting this presentation, I was unfamiliar with Erik Morales. I am not sure if there is someone comparable to him in the trombone world. I have never seen such an extensive catalog of like-instrument ensemble pieces written by one composer. Morales has composed over 70 different works for the trumpet and trumpet ensembles. The piece Infinite Ascent demonstrates Erik's understanding of the instrument. As a trumpet player himself, he understands the capabilities of the instrument and, because of this, writes challenging yet idiomatic music for the trumpet that highlights just what the trumpet is capable of.

Horn Quartet No.3 "The Sooners"

Horn Quartet No.3 "The Sooners"(1996) by Kerry Turner performed by The American Horn Quartet

Geoffrey Winter, Kerry Turner, Kristina Mascher-Turner, and Charlie Putnam

In 1985, Kerry Turner joined the American Horn Quartet. The horn quartet repertoire at that time was limited and unchallenging for modern players. With this in mind, Kerry composed his Quartet No. 1, which won first prize in the International Horn Society’s composition contest. Kerry then went on to compose many works for horn quartet, such as "The Sooners."

I am somewhat more aware of Horn Quartet repertoire; however, it is still very much outside of my wheelhouse. While I was at Oklahoma State, I heard one of the horn quartets perform this piece, and since then, I have fallen in love with the sound of the horn ensemble.

3am Bounce

3am Bounce (2015) by No BS! Brass Band 

Trombone -Reggie Pace, Bryan Hooten, John Hulley, Reggie Chapman, Dillard Watt

Trumpet - Sam Koff, Taylor Barnett, Charlie Frise

Saxophone - David Hood

Vox- Sam Reed

Tuba - Stefan Demetriadis

Drums - Lance Koehler

The No BS! Brass Band is an 11-piece Richmond, Virginia-based ensemble founded by Reggie Chapman and Lance Koehler. Nearly every member of this ensemble has conservatory training, and had met each other through various gigs and networking. A group that just started as friends making music quickly turned into a career as No BS! Brass Band now tours internationally. 

MGySgt John Cradler and SSgt Simon Wild