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circles

Commissioned by Dr. Craig Miller and the Park Hill South

     Symphonic Band for their performance at the

        2014 MMEA Convention

Completed in 2013

Duration: 15 minutes

For: Picc, 2 Fl, 2 Ob, 3 Cl, Bs Cl, Cbs Cl (Opt.), 2 Bsn,

2 Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax,

3 Tpt, 4 Hn, 3 Tbn, Euph, Tuba, DB, Timp, Pno, 6 Perc

 

Premiered Jan. 23, 2014 in Osage Beach, MO

Park Hill South Symphonic Band

Dr. Craig Miller, conductor

1. Gathering Circle - Park Hill South High School Symphonic Band
00:00 / 00:00
II. Endless Circle - Park Hill South High School Symphonic Band
00:00 / 00:00
III. Vicious Circle - Park Hill South High School Symphonic Band
00:00 / 00:00
IV. Circle of Faith - Park Hill South High School Symphonic Band
00:00 / 00:00

     Circles was initially commissioned in 2009 by the Blue Valley School district in honor of retiring Performing Arts Coordinator, Dr. David Circle. The premiere performance was given by an honor orchestra assembled from various players from all of the high school ensembles in the district. Although “Circles” was initially composed for full orchestra, Dr. Craig Miller, Director of Bands at Park Hill South High School, approached me in mid-2013 asking if I would consider revisiting the work and adapt it for wind ensemble. I was more than happy to accept.

     The first movement, “Gathering Circle”, is two fold in its connection to Dr. Circle. Firstly, I wanted to capture the sound of many different tribes of people all gathering together for a humongous celebration. The cacophonous fanfares that begin the piece emulate this sense of crazed exuberance and mingling of ideas, cultures, and people that Dr. Circle fostered and inspired during his tenure as a music educator. Secondly, the main tune of the piece, first introduced by the clarinet section, is meant to strongly resemble the melodic contours of the National Anthem. Dr. Circle was the president of the National Association for Music Education (MENC) at the time when that organization initiated its “National Anthem project”. This public awareness campaign sought to ensure all Americans knew all the words to the national anthem by encouraging more singing of the Star Spangled Banner in schools and at events.

     The second movement is titled “Endless circle”. This movement begins with the eerie sound of tuned water glasses. Played by various members of the ensemble, these glasses are the only instruments physically played in a circular motion. After the aleatoric beginning, a constant stream of eighth notes rock back and forth between the notes D and C providing both a rhythmically binding motif and a subtle tribute to Dr. David Circle’s initials.

     The third movement, “Vicious Circle”, is all out fury. The ensemble roars to life as the relentlessness of the main tune and the thundering of the drums propels the music into a sinister sound world. Be sure to listen for a section in the middle Dr. David Circle himself dubbed, “the most terrifying rendition of Jingle Bells ever written.”

     The last movement, “Circle of Faith”, was the most meaningful movement for me to write. Dr. Circle is a man of faith and has a deep history with his church. While meeting with him some years ago he told me of a time when he was a young musician and was asked to play the hymn, “Blessed Assurance”, on trumpet, by himself in the back of the church to the whole congregation. I wanted “Circle of Faith” to retell this story from his childhood thus an offstage trumpet solo appears halfway through playing that very hymn tune. The main glue of the movement is the “Old Hundred” also known as the doxology. Juxtaposed On top of this tune over a dozen other classic hymns. I wanted to emulate the souls of time gone by whispering and singing in discordant unison. Along with this floats a gentle brass chorale that modulates through the entire circle of fifths.

     I am honored to once again have the privilege of working on this piece for such an important man. I want to thank Dr. Craig Miller for the opportunity of revisiting and reworking the piece And Dr. David circle for his dedication to music and education. It is men like him that create generations of creative, talented, and motivated individuals. 

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