Afterburn- Randall Standridge Afterburn is based on a recurring rhythmic motive that weaves its way throughout the entire work and through various sections of the band. Because of its rhythmic nature, the percussionists have the privilege of delivering the first statement of the motive. Through a wide variety of dynamic contrasts and sectional dialogue, afterburn constantly pushes forward leaving the audience with the sense of flying across the sky in a jet.
Kentucky 1800- Clare Grundman Highly regarded as a foundational work for any successful wind band, Kentucky 1800 is based on the tunes of three American folk songs: The Promised Land, Cindy, and I'm Sad and I'm Lonely, melodies which are reminiscent of the years the pioneers were forging westward. It is a rhapsodic tone poem in which thematic material is treated in great depth and with variety. The work is a band masterpiece which has long since become a favorite with audiences.
Wind Ensemble
Of Sailors and Whales- W. Francis McBeth Of Sailors and Whales (Five Scenes from Melville) is a five-movement work based on scenes from Herman Melville's Moby Dick. It was commissioned by and is dedicated to the California Band Directors Association, Inc., and was premiered in February 1990 by the California All-State Band, conducted by the composer. The work is sub-dedicated to Robert Lanon White, Commander USN (Ret.), who went to sea as a simple sailor.
The composer provided these notes for each movement: I. Ishmael - "I go to sea as a simple sailor." II. Queequeg - "It was quite plain that he must be some abominable savage, but Queequeg was a creature in the transitory state -- neither caterpillar nor butterfly." III. Father Mapple - "This ended, in prolonged solemn tones, like the continual tolling of a bell in a ship that is foundering at sea in a fog -- in such tones he commenced reading the following hymn; but changing his manner towards the concluding stanzas, burst forth with a pealing exultation and joy." The ribs and terrors in the whale arched over me a dismal gloom While all God's sunlit waves rolled by, and lift me lower down to doom. In black distress I called my God when I could scarce believe Him mine, He bowed His ear to my complaint, no more the whale did me confine. My songs forever shall record that terrible, that joyful hour, I give the glory to my God, His all the mercy and the power. IV. Ahab - "So powerfully did the whole grim aspect of Ahab affect me that for the first few moments I hardly noted the barbaric white leg upon which he partly stood." V. The White Whale - "Moby Dick seemed combinedly possessed by all the angels that fell from heaven. The birds! - the birds! They mark the spot ... The whale, the whale! Up helm, up helm! Oh, all ye sweet powers of air, now hug me close ... He turns to meet us ... My God, stand by me now!”