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Loop-D-Loop

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James Stephenson

James Stephenson


Subtitle: For a minimum of 5 wind players + optional percussion


General Info

Year: 2017 / 2020
Duration: c. 4:30 (without solo); 7:00 (with solo)
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Solo trombone
Publisher: Stephenson Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $45.00


Instrumentation (Adaptable Band)

Full Score
Part 1

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Trumpet

Part 2

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Trumpet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone

Part 3

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Trumpet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • F Horn

Part 4

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • F Horn
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium

Part 5

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Bass Clarinet
  • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba

Timpani
Percussion I-II-III


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

In the spring of 2017, I was invited to Vanderbilt University for a premiere of my recently composed CrossFit – for trombone quartet and percussion quartet. It was there that I met the trombone professor at the Blair School of Music, Jeremy Wilson, and where we subsequently began to talk about a new piece for solo trombone and loop station. Full disclosure: I did not know what a “loop station” was when he first proposed the idea, but as a composer always up for new challenges, I reviewed his examples and decided it would be a fun project to do.

The result: Loop – D – Loop.

"Loop – D – Loop" is, of course, a play on words, but does refer to the fact that the entire piece revolves mostly around a D. My main goal in this piece was to create something that would be a “piece of music”, and not just a technological experiment. I wanted Jeremy to get a chance to show his personality, phrasing, and to make music, and feel like it is something worth playing at a musical level. The looping material is all built around that idea, to hopefully create something with form, shape, novelty, but also with worth.

- Program Note by composer


Performance Notes

This new version of Loop – D – Loop focuses on several things for adaptable band:

First, while the title remained the same, I did change the key from D to F, a more user-friendly key.

The piece can be played by a minimum of five players, up to as many as desired. Percussion can be optional.

The opening melodic line is cross-cued in many other parts, in case the director opts to feature a single soloist, instead of using the flute/oboe and clarinet sections.

For balance issues, and in the effort to enhance the color, many parts are marked tacet in certain spots, to be adhered to if the other instruments in their “part” are present. They are subsequently marked “PLAY”, to indicate when the tacet should stop.

There are two options for individual soloists (letter L through N) to stand and be featured, if desired. While the score indicates a “C” instrument, parts are available for Bb, C, or Eb instruments, in both clefs, to allow for ultimate flexibility.

Although I would prefer the entire piece be played, if endurance proves an issue, 2 minutes can be removed by cutting from rehearsal I to N. [Note: this would remove the option for individual solos].


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) University Band (Betsy McCann, conductor) – 24 June 2021
  • University of South Alabama (Mobile) Symphony Band (Jason F. Rinehart, conductor; Arie VandeWaa, trombone) - 4 March 2021
  • Sacramento (Calif.) State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Matthew Morse, conductor) – 2 December 2020
  • Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) Symphonic Band (Douglas Henderson, conductor) - 19 November 2020


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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