American Faces

From Wind Repertory Project
David Holsinger

David Holsinger


General Info

Year: 1995
Duration: c. 5:50
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: TRN Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $95.00   |   Score Only - $12.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flutes
Oboe
Bassoons
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bar Chimes
  • Bass Drum
  • Cowbell
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Field Drum
  • Gong
  • Hi-hat Cymbals
  • Marimba
  • Orchestral Bells
  • Siren Whistle
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Temple Blocks
  • Triangle
  • Tuned Drums (4)
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet I, m.233: Extend slur to beat 4.
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone, m.220, beat 2: Add slur.
  • Euphonium BC, m.200, beat 3: Add slur to match T.C. Euphonium.


Program Notes

Displaying America's exuberance, pioneering spirit and underlying faith, this driving overture uses many diverse themes, both original and borrowed. The work is not a patriotic medley, but rather a tribute to the various qualities that make up the "faces" of America. The piece is full of Holsinger's metrical wizardry and dynamic surprises.

- Program note by publisher


This composition is programmed to show how another composer has dealt with the musical theme of “Simple Gifts”. Although this melody of the Quaker dance song does not appear until near the center of the piece, it becomes a distinct and powerful countermelody to the initial melodic motives. In fact, as the composition comes to a close, the composer turns the musical tables and allows the “Simple Gifts” theme to become the major subject, both in music and thought.

American Faces was commissioned by Scott McCormick and Bands of America for the 1995 Bands of America National Honor Band. Holsinger has attempted in American Faces to musically allude to the multifarious qualities and standards that make up the "faces" of America. It is not a patriotic montage, but rather an overture of diverse themes, original and borrowed, each conveying the composer's impression of the American exuberance, pioneering spirit, and underlying faith.

- Program Note by David Holsinger for Lee University Wind Ensemble concert program, 10 April 2017


Media


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class AA
  • Georgia: VI
  • Indiana: ISSMA SENIOR BAND GROUP I
  • Maryland: V
  • Minnesota: Category I
  • New York: Concert Band VI
  • North Carolina: VI
  • Tennessee: VI
  • Virginia: VI


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • David Holsinger website Accessed 28 August 2021
  • Holsinger, David (1995). American Faces [score]. TRN Music : Ruidoso, N.M.