Blink!

From Wind Repertory Project
Joel Puckett

Joel Puckett


General Info

Year: 2006
Duration: c. 7:35
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Bill Holab Music
Cost: Score and Parts - Rental   |   Score Only (print) - $60.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III (div.)
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-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Cymbals (2: large suspended)
  • Marimba
  • Snare Drum
  • Tambourine
  • Tom-Toms (3)
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Have you ever had a feeling something good was about to happen? Perhaps just an inkling? Have you ever met someone and known instantly you were going to become thick as thieves?

In the fall of 2005, I read Malcolm Gladwell's book, Blink. Blink is about rapid cognition. The following is from Gladwell's website:

When you meet someone for the first time, or walk into a house you are thinking of buying, or read the first few sentences of a book, your mind takes about two seconds to jump to a series of conclusions. Well, Blink is a book about those two seconds, because I think those instant conclusions that we reach are really powerful and really important and, occasionally, really good.

I found this concept inspiring and led to the writing of my work for wind band by the same name. My work features quick changes of both texture and tempo (blink!) while systematically exploring a single motive (in both transparent and opaque ways) and climaxes in giving way to a surprisingly quiet and ethereal ending.

Blink was completed in January of 2006 for the Wind Ensemble at Abilene Christian University.

- Program Note by composer


The opening statement of Blink is a single motive first heard in the trumpets. Puckett uses this motive in a variety of ways to illustrate rapid cognition discussed in Gladwell’s book. Throughout the work, the piece abruptly transitions between fast and slow, rhythmic and lyrical, driving and peaceful. The sudden shifts in style reflect the split-second decisions that change our lives in subtle and profound ways.

- Program Note from Northwestern University Wind Ensemble concert program, 21 February 2020


Media

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State Ratings

  • Virginia: V


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Kennesaw (Ga.) State University Wind Ensemble (David Kehler, conductor) - 10 November 2023
  • Ohio State University (Columbus) Wind Symphony (Russel C. Mikkelson, conductor) - 20 April 2023
  • University of North Carolina at Greensboro Wind Ensemble ( Jonathan Caldwell, conductor) - 5 October 2021
  • Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Erik Scott, conductor) – 21 February 2020
  • Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Mallory Thompson, conductor) – 14 October 2016
  • University of Oklahoma (Norman) Symphony Band (Michael Hancock, conductor) – 23 November 2015
  • Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisc.) Symphonic Band (Matthew Arau, conductor) - 23 May 2015


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources