Glass Ceiling (Primiani)
General Info
Year: 2014 / 2021
Duration: c. 14:10
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Black Tea Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $100.00 | Score Only (print) - $55.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone I-II
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Chimes
- Crotale
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tam-tam
- Vibraphone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
The last time the notion of gender equality was on the minds of the American public was in the early 1990s. Since then, most people believe the problem has been solved. This simply is not the case. Although women make up more than half of the students in leading MBA programs and law schools, the ratio of men to women at the very top level of corporate America is 20 to 1. On average, women make only 73 cents for every dollar earned by a man, a figure that has declined from 86 cents in 1995. The glass ceiling, as it has been aptly named, is not simply a barrier for an individual based on the person's inability to handle a higher-level job. Rather, the glass ceiling applies to women as a group who are kept from advancing simply because they are women.
In this piece, I attempt to portray a day in the life of a working woman. Glass Ceiling is a through-composed composition that contains an introduction and numerous distinct sections integrated by various thematic and orchestrational devices. The main theme is first stated by the brass and is developed throughout the work. Five triangles, antique cymbals and glockenspiel represent the glass ceiling. Finally, sustained chords that begin piano, then crescendo to fortissimo, represent the woman’s ambition, struggle and subsequent success.
- Program Note by composer
Awards
- Dartmouth College Composition Competition, 2020, honorable mention
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- University of Central Florida (Orlando) Wind Ensemble (Scott Lubaroff, conductor) - 12 April 2023
- University of Texas (Austin) Wind Ensemble (Drew Eary, conductor) – 6 November 2022
- Central Michigan University (Mt. Pleasant) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Christopher C. Chapman, conductor) – 7 April 2022 (CBDNA 2022 North Central Conference, Madison, Wisc.)
- St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minn.) Band - May 2021 *Premiere Performance*
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Glass Ceiling (2014)
- Sirens (2009)
Resources
- Leanna Primiani website Accessed 6 September 2020
- Perusal score
- Primiani, L. (2016). Glass Ceiling: For Concert Band [score]. Subito Music Corp.: Verona, N.J.