Gradients
General Info
Year: 2017
Duration: c. 3:10
Difficulty: II-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Apollo Studios
Cost: Score and Parts (digital) - $150.00 | Score Only (digital) - $25.00
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
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum
- Chimes
- Marimba
- Orchestra Chimes
- Suspended Cymbal
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
In physics, gradients can describe an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a property (e.g., temperature, pressure, or concentration) observed in passing from one point or moment to another. In mathematics, the gradient is a synonym for slope. It points in the direction of the greatest rate of increase of a function, and its magnitude is the slope of the graph in that direction.
Gradients for concert band is a synthesis of these ideas, designed for developing musicians. The gradient concept is expressed through dynamics, cluster chords (including a simple 4 mallet marimba part) and extensive use of the melodic minor scale.
Commissioned by a consortium of music educators dedicated to the promotion of new music.
- Program Note by composer
Awards
- NBA/Alfred Young Band Composition Concert, 2018, winner
Media
State Ratings
- Michigan: Junior High A
- Michigan: Senior High C
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- South Dakota All-State Clark Band (Brookings) (Aaron Perrine, conductor) - 26 March 2022
- Granite Ridge Intermediate School (Fresno, Calif.) Symphonic Band (Jose Vargas, conductor) - 15 February 2019 (2019 CASMEC Conference, Fresno)
- Keller (Tx.) Middle School Wind Ensemble (Cynthia A. Lansford, conductor) - 20 December 2018 (2018 Midwest Clinic)
- University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) Symphonic Band (Jamal Duncan, conductor)– 22 April 2018
- Houston Middle School (Germantown, Tenn.) Band – 2017
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Noble Gases (Flex instrumentation) (2017/2020)
All Wind Works
- Alcatraz (2014)
- Asylum (2017)
- Clutch. (2019)
- Conspiracy Theories (2016)
- Gradients (2017)
- Horror Vacui (2020)
- Left of Boom (2022)
- Noble Gases (Flex instrumentation) (2017/2020)
- On Shoulders of Giants (2021)
- Prayers in Villefranche (2016)
- The Raptor Rides the Whale (2018)
- Skeletonic (2022)
- Société Blue (2022)
- Southeast by Northwest (2016)
- Trip the Light Fantastic (2015)
- Tuebor (2020)
- Until the Night Collapses (2018)
- Vox Nostra (2022)
- Wigs & Gilt (2023)
Resources
- Andrew David Perkins website Accessed 21 April 2018
- "New Music Reviews." The Instrumentalist, 72/7 (February 2018), p. 40.
- Perusal score
- Worzbyt, Jason. "Gradients." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 12, Compiled and edited by Andrew Trachsel, 231-236. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2021.