America Verses

From Wind Repertory Project
Timothy Broege

Timothy Broege


General Info

Year: 1997
Duration: c. 5:30
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Manhattan Beach Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $75.00   |   Score Only - $12.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (multiple preferred; 3 parts in set)
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Cymbals
  • Gong
  • Marimba
  • Snare
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tom-Tom
  • Triangle
  • Woodblock
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

America Verses was composed in 1997 at the suggestion of publisher/composer Bob Margolis, who was interested in publishing a school band piece based on a well-known tune. The work consists of a set of four variations, or “verses,” on the tune known by the English as God Save the Queen and in the United States as America, or My Country, ’Tis of Thee.

- Program Note from score


America Verses charts an expressive/emotional ascent and descent. After the somber opening verse, the music takes on more movement in verse 2 while remaining serious in character. In verse 3, however, the music becomes playful, even jaunty, rising to a "grand cakewalk," (typically found in ragtime music). A transition passage returns the mood to one of somber reflection, in verse 4. The concluding measures are marked "prayerfully," and the harmony is not resolved until the concluding notes of the chimes are sounded.

What is America Verses about? It is obvious that this is not a conventionally celebratory piece of music. Surely at the end of the twentieth century the need for tub-thumping patriotic music is decidedly less than it was a hundred years ago. The history of America is complex, to say the least, and the joys and sorrows of American life are equally complex. There has been much to celebrate, and much to lament; much to be proud of, much to regret. Some of this ambivalence finds its way into America Verses. If the composer loves his country – which he does – that love is conditioned by an awareness of how much remains to be done before America is transformed into an enlightened, creative and just society. It is for the listener to determine the message of the work, to decide whether the music ends on a note of despair, or in a mood of hushed optimism.

- Program Note by composer


Media

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State Ratings

  • Texas: II. Complete


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

[Category: 1997]]