Suitable for advanced bands.   Duration approximately 18 minutes.  See orchestration.   See printable documents. See performances.   See Audio Samples.

About Symphony for Band

Butler University Wind Ensemble

Symphony for Band could be easily subtitled "Passages", as this work represents the passages of life that most of us travel through during our lifetimes.  The first movement is representative of the carefree nature of childhood and is in the normal sonata allegro form.

The second movement is more somber in nature and represents the loss of a loved one.  The famous sonnet by John Donne entitled "Death, Be Not Proud" embodies the tone of this second movement.  The composer dedicates this movement to the memory of his parents.

The final movement of this work is by far the most intense.  In everyone's life there are moments that challenge us to our core beliefs.  The opening section to this final movement represents such challenges and threats with the opening unison trumpet theme.  The form of this final movement is basically a theme and variations and culminates in one's triumph over life with a major tonality statement.

This work was commissioned by a Consortium of Bands organized by Robert Grechesky, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Butler University.  In addition to Butler's participation the commission included the following individuals and their organizations:  Harvey Benstein, Campolindo High School; Gary Ciepluch, Case Western Reserve University; Craig Paré, DePauw University; Mike Niemec, Hamilton Southeastern High School;  Stephen Pratt, Indiana University; Frank Tracz, Kansas State University; Randy Greenwell and Matt James, Lawrence Central High School; Thomas McCauley, Montclair State University; Russ Mikkelson, Ohio State University; Jay Gephart, Purdue University; James Spinazzola, University of Indianapolis; Carolyn Barber, University of Nebraska; and Scott Teeple, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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Orchestration

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Documents

Program Notes

Performance Notes from the Composer

View the above links with Adobe Acrobat Reader.  

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Performances

Performances were done by the above mentioned consortium members and the University of Colorado at Boulder, the Indiana Band Masters Association, and Western Michigan University.

Audio Samples 

The following four samples are synthesized.  Just click the center arrow on the player to begin.  Use the double arrows to cycle through the tracks.

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