Rollo Takes a Walk

From Wind Repertory Project
David Maslanka

David Maslanka


General Info

Year: 1980
Duration: c. 2:35
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Neil A. Kjos Co.
Cost: Score and Parts - $75.00   |   Score Only - $6.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
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 I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion I-II, including:

  • Bass Drum (with attached Cymbal)
  • Hi Hat
  • Snare Drum
  • Temple Blocks
  • Tenor Drum
  • Tom Toms
  • Triangle, small
  • Whiz Whistle
  • Woodblock


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Inspired by Rollo, a character created by Charles Ives to represent ultra-conservative musical tastes, the composer takes us on a musical outing exploring commonplace musical ideas from a satirical perspective.

- Program Note from publisher


Rollo is a fictional character created by Charles Ives and used in his musical writings to illustrate ultra-conservative musical tastes. According to Ives, "Rollo is a weakling who could not stand up and receive the full force of dissonance like a man." All musical ideas in this work, though original, sound familiar, deliberately banal, and sometimes out of tune. The work was intended as a good-humored parody of earlier day concerts in the park as well as a means of providing some fun for both band and audience.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Rollo is a complicated little idea, and when asked to explain it I am often at a loss. Rollo is a fictional character created by the American composer Charles Ives who lived from 1875 to 1953. Ives used Rollo in his writings about music as the model of an average person with conservative musical tastes. Ives would say “Rollo would really like that tune!” or “Rollo wouldn’t like that one at all!” Rollo was Ives’ measuring stick for a level of American popular taste. The irony was that Rollo wouldn’t have liked most of Ives’ own music. So, when Rollo Takes a Walk he moves about among tunes that he likes, and some stuff that’s hard for him. Finally, Rollo is simply a quirky little bit of fun, a bit of a musical cartoon. I hope you enjoy!

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

  • Louisiana: III
  • Massachusetts: III
  • Virginia: IV


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • National Children's Concert Band (Birmingham, UK) (Adam Broughton, conductor) – 8 April 2023
  • Fulton County (Ga.) High Honors Band (J. Nick Smith, conductor) - 12 February 2023
  • Samford University (Homewood, Ala.) Honor Band (J. Nick Smith, conductor) - 14 January 2023
  • Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) Varsity Band (Cory Near, conductor) - 29 April 2021
  • Millersville (Penn.) University Concert Band (Christy Banks, conductor) - 10 April 2021
  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) North Star Band (J. Nick Smith, conductor) – 27 February 2020
  • Penn State University (University Park) Campus Band (Margaret Pedlow Smith, conductor) – 9 December 2019
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Thursday University Band (Ross Wolf, conductor) – 8 December 2019
  • Illinois State University (Normal) University Band (Marisa Miko, conductor) – 20 November 2019
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Campus Band (Brent Echols, conductor) – 24 April 2019
  • Illinois State University (Normal) Symphonic Band (Doug Morin, conductor) – 16 November 2018
  • Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Concert Band (Eric Allen, conductor) – 23 September 2018
  • Potsdam (N.Y.) Community Band (Theresa Witmer, conductor) - 18 July 2018
  • University of Louisville Concert Band (Jason Cumberledge, conductor) - 10 April 2018
  • Columbia University (New York, N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Scott Sonnenberg, conductor) – 19 November 2017
  • State University of New York, Fredonia, All-College Band (Raymond Stewart, conductor) – 3 October 2017
  • Shenandoah Conservatory (Winchester, Va.) Concert Band (Alan Johnson, conductor) - 2 March 2017
  • Artie Henry Middle School (Cedar Park, Texas) Honors Band (Cynthia A. Lansford, conductor) - 16 December 2016 (2016 Midwest Clinic)
  • The Ohio State University (Columbus) University Band (Onsby Rose, conductor) – 17 November 2016
  • San Dieguito Union High School District (San Diego, Calif.) Middle School Honor Band (Eric Weirather, conductor) – 9 January 2016
  • Selma (Calif.) High School Wind Ensemble (Kevin Tinkle, conductor) - 17 April 2015 (2015 San Joaquin Valley (Calif.) Concert Band Invitational)


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

Retrieved from "https://www.windrep.org/index.php?title=Rollo_Takes_a_Walk&oldid=420806"