Overture for a Small Town

Description

Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Clarinet in Bb 3, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Trumpet in Bb 3, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Horn in F 3, Horn in F 4, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Trombone 3, Euphonium, Bb Euphonium, Tuba, Mallet Percussion 1, Glockenspiel, Mallet Percussion 2, Vibraphone, Mallet Percussion 3, Chime, Crotales, Timpani, Percussion 1, Triangle, Snare Drum, Percussion 2, Suspended Cymbal, Bass Drum — On November 5th, 2017, a mass shooting took place at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Twenty-six innocent people lost their lives that day, including an unborn child. Overture to a Small Town is dedicated to these victims and the loved ones they left behind. From the biggest cities to the smallest towns, thexa0 senseless bloodshed must end. Despite the darkness of this tragedy, it is my intent through this music to portray a sense of hope, dignity, and innocence deserved by all America’s cities and towns.xa0xa0The opening moments of this piece should be treated delicately, ensuring that the brass section moves together in one unified voice, and that the crotales evoke distant flickers of light. Similarly, in mm. 120-127, articulations in the flutes, trumpets and mallets should be strong enough to be heard, but without being aggressive.xa0xa0The textural layering in mm. 48-53 should be executed with machine-like precision of both rhythm and articulation. This passage should evoke the sound of many voices rising together. There should be a great contrast between the opening Piano dynamic and the final Forte dynamic.xa0xa0In mm. 65-69, both mallet percussionists may play the indicated notes in any octave they choose. Both players should move rapidly between notes in any order. This passage should sound fluid and ethereal.xa0xa0In mm. 69-73: If there is no English Horn available to the ensemble, the Trumpet should play this passage solo. If there is an English Horn, both instruments should play the passage together. Written in honor of the victims of the mass shooting that took place at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas on November 5th, 2017, Overture to a Small Town portrays a sense of hope, dignity, and innocence. The piece features movement of parts together in one unified voice, with individual articulations in various parts, such as the flutes, trumpets, and mallets, throughout. A powerful statement.