Jargon
Subtitle: After William Billings: For Percussion Ensemble and Symphonic Band
This work bears the designation QMB 410.
General Info
Year:1976 / 1980
Duration: c. 7:15
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $76.53 | Score Only (print) - $11.73
For further availability information, see Discussion tab, above.
Instrumentation
Full Score
D-flat Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass 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
B-flat Trumpet
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum (small)
- Bell Plate
- Chimes
- Crash Cymbal (medium and large)
- Crotales
- Marimba
- Sleigh Bells
- Suspended Cymbals (light and heavy)
- Tambourine
- Tam-tam
- Temple Blocks
- Timbales
- Triangle
- Whip
- Wood Block
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Jargon is based on a hymn tune by the eighteenth-century American composer William Billings:
Let horrid Jargon split the air,
And rive the Nerves asunder,
Let hateful Discord greet the ear,
As terrible as Thunder.
One of the most striking things about this piece is its extra-large percussion section. Percussion instruments often dominate the texture of the music and provide important thematic material. The score even features a drawing of how to position the percussion instruments around the back of the ensemble, anchored on opposing front edges by a set of chimes on each side.
This piece was commissioned by Bob Rober, who played bass in one of the lab bands at North Texas with my father. They both contributed numerous arrangements to those bands. Bob later taught for years at a high school in Arlington, Texas – coincidentally named Sam Houston – and premiered Jargon with his band at a music festival in 1976. Rober’s band happened to have a robust and capable percussion section, inspiring my father to highlight their talents.
- Program Note by Tim Tull from liner notes from Klavier CD Fisher Tull
Media
- Audio: Reference recording. Keystone Wind Ensemble (Jack Stamp, conductor)
- Audio CD: Keystone Wind Ensemble (Jack Stamp, conductor) - 2020
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- University of Georgia (Athens) Honor Wind Symphony (Ricky Fleming, conductor) - 22 January 2023
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Accolade (1978)
- Antiphon (1970)
- The Binding (1981/1984)
- Centennial Vista (1991)
- Ceremonial Proclamation (1983)
- Chant of the Phoenix (1984)
- Concerto for Piano and Wind Ensemble
- Concerto Grosso for Brass Quintet and Symphonic Band (1985)
- Credo (1974)
- Cryptic Essay (1975)
- Fanfare for Band and Antiphonal Brass (1982)
- The Final Covenant (1979)
- Introit (1983)
- Jargon (1976/1980)
- March for Tripod (1973)
- Nonet (1981)
- A Passing Fantasy (1992)
- Prelude and Double Fugue (1978)
- Reflections on Paris (1973)
- Requiem (1987)
- Rhapsody (1980)
- Saga of the Clouds
- Second Concerto for Trumpet (1972/1974)
- Sketches on a Tudor Psalm (1972)
- Studies in Motion (1975)
- Terpsichore (1969)
- Toccata (1969)
- Two Pieces from Lt. Kije (as arranger) (1934/1971)
- Variations on an Advent Hymn (1962/1973)
Resources
- Fisher Tull website Accessed 22 January 2023
- Tull, F. (1976). Jargon: After William Billings: For Percussion Ensemble and Symphonic Band [score]. Boosey & Hawkes: New York.