Emperata Overture

From Wind Repertory Project
Claude T. Smith

Claude T. Smith


General Info

Year: 1964 / 1992
Duration: c. 7:30
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Claude T. Smith Publications, through C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $85.00   |   Score Only (print) - $6.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe I-II
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Percussion I-II

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tom-toms (2)
  • Wood Block


Errata

50 years Commemorative Edition:

In Score:

  • Percussion I, Snare Drum, 3 m. before rehearsal A: Add a tremolo and a tie to the whole note


In Parts:

  • Percussion I, Toms, 6 m. before rehearsal A: Add accents on all of the notes in this measure
  • Percussion I, 2 m. before rehearsal A: The bottom voice on the first staff should be marked as crash cymbals


New printing/engraving (not the 50 years Commemorative Edition):

In Score:

  • B-flat Cornet III, 9th measure of Letter T, beat 3: missing the natural, should be A natural.
  • Trombone III, 3rd measure of Letter L: should be F-sharp through the whole measure, the natural is incorrect.
  • Trombone III, 4th measure of Letter L: should be F-sharp, the sharp in the score is on the wrong part.


In Parts:

  • Flute/C Piccolo, 6th measure of Letter B: second half note should be an E-flat, not D.
  • B-flat Clarinet III, 4th measure of Letter O: the (tr) marking is incorrect for that measure.
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone II, 9th measure of letter C: there is a natural sign at the end of the measure that doesn't need to be there. Doesn't affect any notes.
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone II, 3rd measure of Letter D: the first note is correct, the last two beats should be a quarter note triplet (D-B-D) as printed in the score.
  • Horn in F III, 4 measures before Letter A: Notes are missing. There should be a G on beats 2 & 4 along with the F.
  • Horn in F IV, 4 measures before Letter A: Notes are missing. There should be a G on beats 2 & 4 along with the F.
  • Trombone III, 3rd measure of Letter L, beat 4: F-sharp should be a F natural
  • Baritone T.C., the measure before Letter E: the last note of the measure is missing a flat, should be B-flat.
  • Baritone T.C., Letter T: the key signature change is not noted for the remainder of the piece. They should be in the key of D (C concert)
  • Percussion II, 8th and 9th measure of Letter E: the 8th and 9th measures of Letter E are reversed.
  • Percussion II, 2 measures before Letter F: beat 4 does not need the noted articulation.
  • Percussion II, 2nd measure of Letter M: Add a "p" dynamic marking


In Score and Parts:

  • Flute/C Piccolo, Letter C: First note should be an F, not E-flat.
  • Oboe, 7th measure of Letter C: the slur is missing.
  • Bassoon I-II, 5th measure of Letter Q: the lower note should be a C, not an E-flat as printed
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet I, 6th measure of Letter C: missing a tie. The part is correct at Letter R.
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet II, 6th measure of Letter C: missing a tie. The part is correct at Letter R.
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet II, 7th measure of Letter C: the slur is missing.
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet III, 6th measure of Letter C: missing a tie. The part is correct at Letter R.
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet III, 7th measure of Letter C: the slur is missing.
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone I, 2 measures before Letter C: the second note of the triplet should be a G, not an A. Alto 1 part is correct.
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone I, 4th measure of Letter C: printed wrong note - it should be an A.
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone I, 3rd measure of Letter R: the figure should be played a half-beat earlier, matching the horns.
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone II, 2 measures before Letter C: the second note of the triplet should be a G, not an A. Alto 1 part is correct.
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone II, 4th measure of Letter C: printed wrong note - it should be an A.
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone II, 2nd measure of Letter H: the first note should be an E natural, not F-sharp as printed.
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone II, 3rd measure of Letter R: the figure should be played a half-beat earlier, matching the horns.
  • E-flat Baritone Saxophone, 7th measure of Letter R: add a flat, OR tie over from previous measure.
  • B-flat Cornet II, 10th measure of Letter T: missing an eighth rest after the first note.
  • B-flat Cornet III, 10th measure of Letter T: missing an eighth rest after the first note.
  • Horn in F I, 2 measures before letter E: slur missing between first two notes of the measure. The slur in the next measure is incorrect.
  • Horn in F II, 2 measures before letter E: slur missing between first two notes of the measure. The slur in the next measure is incorrect.
  • Horn in F III, 2 measures before letter E: slur missing between first two notes of the measure. The slur in the next measure is incorrect.
  • Horn in F IV, 2 measures before letter E: slur missing between first two notes of the measure. The slur in the next measure is incorrect.
  • Trombone II, 4th & 8th measure of Letter C: there is a staccato on beat 2 that is incorrect.
  • Trombone II, 4th measure of Letter L: the note should be G-natural, not G sharp.
  • Trombone II, 6th measure of Letter T: missing a tie in the ostinato part.
  • Trombone III, 6th measure of Letter T: missing a tie in the ostinato part.
  • Trombone III, 11th measure of Letter M: the note should be a C, not D.
  • Baritone B.C., 2nd measure of Letter G: last note of the measure (an E) is missing a flat
  • Baritone B.C., 9th and 10th measure of Letter R: the top note should be a B-flat, and the bottom an E-natural
  • Baritone B.C., 3rd and 7th measure of Letter T: the first note of the measure should be an E-natural, not a D.
  • Tuba, 2nd measure of H: the first note should be a C, not E.
  • Percussion I, 2 measures before Letter S: there is a random ff marking that doesn't belong.
  • Percussion I, the measure before Letter T: the cymbal is missing the l.v. mark
  • Percussion II, 3rd and 4th measure of Letter L: the tie is missing.

- Potential errata noted by Matthew LeFebvre and Mdoerffel


Program Notes

This first published work of Claude T. Smith was released in 1964. Over the ensuing years it has become the standard of comparison in concert band literature. The mixed meter along with the lyrical freshness typical of Smith ushered in a new era for composers writing for concert band. Emperata Overture is simply a "must" for every working band director.

- Program Note from publisher


Emperata Overture opens with a fanfare-like statement by the brass section accompanied by percussion in the background. The main theme is then stated by the clarinets with a rhythmic brass background in 4/4 meter, but occasionally a 7/8 meter separates phrases. The middle section presents a lyrical statement of a new theme by a flute soloist followed by reiterations of the theme in various sections of the band as well as by the full band. The ending is highlighted by a change of key and a restatement of themes, making a very exciting finish.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Celebrating its 50th anniversary. Emperata Overture was Smith's first published work. This time-tested classic is an exciting and rewarding work, perfect for contest or festival.

- Program Note by the Vandercook College of Music Symphonic Band concert program, 19 December 2014


A classic of the wind band literature, published in 1964, Emperata presented the first asymmetrical time measure to the American educational band scene. The concert band’s literature was introduced to the trademark 7/8 measure, which we all recognize now as a Smith signature. This composition also includes one of his few full band fugatos. Excellent percussion writing and a combination of all themes come together in a very exciting conclusion. Originally titled Overture for Winds and Percussion, the word “Emperata” has no meaning. I have always heard a rumor that Smith’s first publisher didn’t like the original title and changed it without Smith’s knowledge

- Program Note by David Holsinger


Media


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class A
  • Arkansas: IV
  • California: V, Class A
  • Georgia: V
  • Indiana: Group II
  • Iowa: III
  • Kansas: IV
  • Louisiana: IV
  • Maryland: IV
  • Michigan: Class AA (Junior High School); A (High School)
  • Minnesota: Category II
  • Mississippi: V-A
  • New York: V
  • North Carolina: V
  • Ohio: OMEA High School Band B
  • Oklahoma: Class 4A
  • Oregon: V-A
  • South Carolina: V
  • Tennessee: V
  • Virginia: V


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Kansas State University Concert Band (Zack Deininger, conductor) - 28 November 2023
  • Missouri University of Science & Technology (Rolla) Wind Symphony (David Samson, conductor) - 26 February 2023
  • University of Wyoming (Laramie) Wind Symphony (Robert Belser, conductor) - 23 February 2023
  • Tyler (Tx.) Junior College Symphonic Band (Eddie W. Airheart, conductor) - 12 April 2022
  • California State University Northridge Wind Symphony (Lawrence Stoffel, conductor) - 4 March 2022
  • Traverse City (Mich.) West Senior High Wind Ensemble (Chad Mielens, conductor) - 9 December 2021
  • Lee University (Cleveland, Tenn.) Wind Ensemble (David Holsinger, conductor) - 13 April 2021
  • University of Central Florida (Orlando) Concert Band (Danny Santos, conductor) – 17 September 2020
  • Lander University (Greenwood, S.C.) Wind Ensemble (Reed Gallo, conductor) – 27 February 2020
  • Cincinnati (Ohio) Youth Symphonic Band – 29 April 2019
  • University of Illinois (Champaign) University Band (Barry L. Houser, conductor) – 25 April 2019
  • Montgomery County Concert Band (Hatfield, Penn.) (Chuck Neidhardt, conductor) – 23 April 2019 (ACB 2019 Annual Convention (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.))
  • Willamette Valley Concert Band (Albany, Ore.) (Randy Solansky, conductor) – 16 March 2019
  • Texas A&M University (College Station) Concert Band (Russell Tipton, conductor) – 2 March 2019
  • San Luis Obispo County (Calif.) Band (Leonard Lutz, conductor) – 18 November 2018
  • Temple (Tex.) College Symphonic Band (Brent Colwell, conductor) – 4 November 2018
  • Youngstown State University (Ohio) Concert Band (Brandt Payne, conductor) – 18 October 2018
  • North Dakota State University (Fargo) University Band (Warren Olfert, conductor) – 15 October 2018
  • Golden Gate Park Band (San Francisco, Calif.) (Robert Calonico, conductor) – 22 July 2018


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Gabriel, Arnald. "Emperata Overture: A Second Look." The Instrumentalist vol. 41, no. 6, January 1987, pp. 48, 50, 52, 54. Reprinted as "Emperata Overture: A Second Opinion" in Conductors Anthology. Volume 2. 2nd ed. The Instrumentalist, 1993, pp. 102–114.
  • "SCORE STUDY EPISODE #17: EMPERATA OVERTURE (Claude T. Smith)." YouTube. Uploaded by Anthony O'Toole, 30 June 2019. Accessed 22 August 2023
  • Smith, C. (1964). Emperata Overture [score]. Wingert-Jones Music: Kansas City, Mo.
  • Smith, Claude T. "Emperata Overture: The Composer's Thoughts on Interpretation." The Instrumentalist vol. 37, no. 4, November 1982, pp. 10–12.
  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 546-547.