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Catapult
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General Info
Year: 2022
Duration: c. 5:30
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown
Instrumentation
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Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Catapult was commissioned by the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and its conductor, Dr. Mallory Thompson. Dr. Thompson asked for an energetic, forward-driving, and flashy opener-type that would celebrate the return of large ensembles after the Covid interruption. The title, Catapult, signals the energy in the piece, as well as hinting at the nickname for Northwestern University, which is Wildcats.
Being a graduate of Northwestern sparked the idea to use its alma mater as the impetus for the piece. Northwestern’s alma mater is based on the St. Antoni Chorale a piece historically attributed to Joseph Haydn and popularized in Variations on a Theme by Haydn by Johannes Brahms. In the Brahms opus, and typical of the theme and variations form, the theme is stated at the beginning and followed by variations. The structure for Catapult is the opposite -- variations of alma mater phrases are presented first using an array of melodic approaches, including being compressed, expanded, truncated, and inverted. The alma mater is not clearly evident and heard in its full form until near the end.
Catapult propels forward from its opening fanfare that uses compressed snippets of the alma mater phrases. It settles into a lower intensity transition that sets up the primary theme. That theme takes precedence in the first portion of the piece, as the alma mater appears in a supportive role with hints of its motives acting as responses to the primary theme. It progresses through a series of variations, one of which is driven by the snare drum quoting Northwestern’s marching band field entry cadence. Weaving through a series of variations, the direction in the score is to “Push On.” Catapult’s primary theme gradually gives way and the complete NU alma mater is presented in its entirety as the piece flourishes its way to the finish.
- Program Note by composer
Media
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State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
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- University of North Texas (Denton) Wind Symphony (Andrew Trachsel, conductor) – 9 February 2023 (2023 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
- Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Mallory Thompson, conductor) – 28 January 2022 *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Be Ever the Hope (2022)
- Catapult (2022)
- Celebration Overture
- Dark City (2019)
- Let There Be Hope
- Pathway Between the Mountains (1998)
- Scottish Fantasy
Resources
None discovered thus far.