Rio's Convergence

Justin Freer

General Info

Year: 2010
Duration: c. 6:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Bill Holab Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $375.00 | Score Only (print) - $100.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon (optional)
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
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-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion (6 players), including:

Bass Drum
Brake Drum
Chimes
Crash Cymbals
Crotales
Glockenspiel
Mark Tree
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tam-Tam
Tom-Tom
Triangle
Vibraphone
Whip
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Note

Rio’s Convergence refers to that majestic and often glorious body of water, the Rio Grande. Throughout its life from north to south, from the smashing gorges of Colorado to the sublime panoramas of Texas, this life-giving water offers tranquility, brute force and a sense of high-spirited adventure for those who seek it.

The Rio Grande converges with several other rivers throughout its journey (though ‘confluence’ is the proper term for this event, yet somehow Rio’s Confluence didn’t sound as good to me), and while certain points of convergence can provide a thrill-seeking river rafter an opportunity to get an adrenaline fix, other spots may offer a fisherman some of the best fly-fishing in their lifetime.

I believe much of jazz is uniquely American, and as such, the influence of jazz harmony plays a significant role in this work. The main (and most recurring) motive of the piece is played outright from the very first notes, outlining a minor 7th chord (then expanding to outline minor 9th and 11th chords) and presented as a type of fanfare in the brass (with a dash of Eb clarinet) backed up by the strong punches of the surrounding ensemble. Immediately following the opening fanfare is the main tune, presented in the piccolo, xylophone and saxophone section, utilizing the popularized block scoring of the phenomenal ensemble Supersax. The opening motive and the tunes that follow weave in and out of different forms throughout the piece, always striving to communicate something different in an attempt to make the story whole by the last bar.

Rio’s Convergence was commissioned by Dr. Abel Saldivar Ramirez for the 2011 Texas All-State 4A Symphonic Band.

- Program Note by composer

Media

Audio CD: North Texas Wind Symphony (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor) - 2013

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Terry Austin, conductor) – 26 February 2020
Indiana State (Terre Haute, Indiana) Wind Orchestra (Roby George, conductor) – 25 February 2016 (CBDNA 2016 North Central Division Conference, Ames Iowa)
Whitworth Wind Symphony (Spokane, Wash.) (Richard Strauch, conductor) - 3 May 2014
Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.) Wind Ensemble (Ishbah Cox, conductor) – 29 February 2012 (ABA 2012 Annual Convention (Indianapolis, Indiana))
California State University Long Beach Wind Symphony (John Carnahan, conductor) - 1 December 2011

Works for Winds by This Composer

Resources

Popejoy, James. "Rio's Convergence." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 9, edit. & comp. by Richard Miles, 748-754. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2013.