Fields of Gold

From Wind Repertory Project
Julie Giroux

Julie Giroux


General Info

Year: 2019
Duration: c. 8:35
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Musica Propria
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $125.00   |   Score Only (print) - $25.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
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-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Marimba
  • Mark Tree
  • Orchestra Bells (4)
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Wind Chimes


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This is the story of an alien child sent to Earth, the last survivor of a doomed planet and civilization. It is a story that has been capturing the imaginations of earthlings since its first publishing in Action Comics #1, June, 1938. Raised by farmers with love, taught to be fair, humble, hard-working and to never tell a lie, the child grows into the son they could never have and the superhero everyone can admire. Jonathan and Martha Kent weren't just his parents. They were his mentors, like real mentors the world over, silently contributing to the world in a remarkable, Earth-defining way.

Fields of Gold tells the early story of Superman. The piece starts out with a child's journey from Krypton to Earth. Then we meet the Kents and rural America. Then two times events happen in his young life: when Superman uses his powers for good and when he comes to terms with who he is, who he is to become. There are scenes from Superman movies that always strike home with me -- when Superman is standing alone, surrounded by fields of gold as a farmer, a son and an honest man of quality and just worth. That is how I will always think of him, how I will always think of Superman.

- Program Note by composer


Commissioned by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Department of Humanities and Arts in honor of Professor Douglas Weeks for his distinguished career of tireless dedication to music education as a mentor, colleague, and friend.


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Lone Star Youth Winds (Dallas, Tx.) (Andrew Trachsel, conductor) - 5 March 2023
  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) North Star Campus Band (Lauren Visel, conductor) -- 27 February 2023
  • University of Missouri (Columbia) Symphonic Band (Amy M. Knopps, conductor) - 23 February 2023
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Concert Band (Arris Golden, conductor) - 12 October 2022
  • Wheaton College (Ill.) Symphonic Band (Brady McNeil, conductor) - 7 October 2022
  • United States Army Field Band II (Fort Meade, Md.) (Jim R. Keane, conductor) - 15 December 2021 (2021 Midwest Clinic)
  • State University of New York, Fredonia, All College Band (Carrie Pawelski, conductor) – 4 March 2020
  • Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) Symphonic Band (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor) - 15 February 2020 (2020 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
  • University of North Texas (Denton) Symphonic Band (Dennis W. Fisher, conductor) – 27 April 2019


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Biggers, S. Carter. "Fields of Gold." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 12, Compiled and edited by Andrew Trachsel, 532-539. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2021.
  • Giroux, J. (2019). Fields of Gold: [for] Concert Band [score]. Musica Propria: San Antonio, Tx.
  • Julie Giroux website Accessed 10 July 2021
  • Perusal score