Branden's Rainbow

From Wind Repertory Project
Andrew Boysen, Jr.

Andrew Boysen, Jr.


General Info

Year: 1997
Duration: c. 10:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Neil A. Kjos
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $70.00   |   Score Only (print) - $8.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Claves
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Maracas (6 to 10)
  • Marimba
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Thunder Sheet
  • Triangle
  • Wind Chimes
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Washington (Illinois) Community High School Band trumpet player Branden Lavaux passed away in April 1995.


My experience with this work was unique, in that I had the chance to hear from many of Branden's friends before I began work on the piece. Jim Tallman, the director of bands at Washington (Illinois) Community High School, asked his ensemble to take the time to write about Brandon in any way they wished. He then sent these letters to me to provide a framework for the piece. As I read the letters, I was moved by the stories related to rainbows.

As I read about each occurrence of the rainbow, my mind moved from cerebral thoughts about chance and coincidence to an ever-growing certainty and trust in the fact that there was wonderful things in the world that cannot be explained. Chills ran down my spine, and I knew that this was something that needed to be expressed. The piece, then, is structured with the idea of telling a story that begins on a dark, cloudy morning. Rain falls lightly, then gradually increases as a storm (both real and emotional) surges. Eventually, calmness and hope emerge as a rainbow (played by a solo trumpet) appears.

- Program Note by composer


Commercial Discography


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Andrew Boysen, Jr. website Accessed 18 August 2017
  • Boysen, A. (2002).Branden's Rainbow [score]. Neil A. Kjos: San Diego, Calif.
  • Leyva, Jesse. "Branden's Rainbow." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 6, edit. & comp. by Richard Miles, 307-313. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2007.