Escape Velocity

Daniel Baldwin

General Info

Year: 2014
Duration: c. 6:00
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Imagine Music Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $70.00; (digital) - $51.00 | Score Only (print) - $10.00

Instrumentation

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

Bass Drum
Drum Set
Floor Tom
Gong
Marimba (optional)
Snare Drum
Triangle
Vibraphone
Xylophone (optional)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Escape Velocity was commissioned in honor of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Kansas Bandmasters Association. This was a special honor to be sure, but what made this commission so much more special to me was that the president of the Kansas Bandmasters was my former high school band director. I can safely say that my experience with him is the reason I chose music as a career. To write a piece for this prestigious organization was the thrill of a lifetime for me.

In writing Escape Velocity, I envisioned the journey of a rocket ship entering space. It begins with the launch and all of the dangers and excitement of the ascent. Resistance is met while trying to escape Earth's gravity before finally reaching orbit. Space is beautiful, and its majesty and wonder are reflected in the music. The conclusion depicts the reentering of Earth's orbit and the final descent to splashdown.

I envisioned this piece to be more of a tone painting than a programmatic work, though I'm sure it would work just fine to have a video of a space launch projected in the background of your performance.

Escape Velocity was commissioned by the Kansas Bandmasters Association, Dennis Kerr, President, and was premiered on July 19th, 2013 by the KBA Middle Level Honor Band with Richard Saucedo conducting.

- Program Note by composer

Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Kansas Bandmasters Association Middle Level Honor Band (Richard Saucedo, conductor) – 19 July 2013 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Escape Velocity (Flex instrumentation) (2013)

All Wind Works

At the Foothills of the Adirondacks
Capriccio Noir (2019)
Clouds Descending
Escape Velocity (Flex instrumentation) (2013)
Heartland Harmonies
Maverick Fanfare
Pegasus

Resources

Baldwin, D. (2014). Escape Velocity [score]. Imagine Music: Medina, N.Y.
Daniel Baldwin website Accessed 30 June 2020
Perusal score