Timepiece

From Wind Repertory Project
Cindy McTee

Cindy McTee


General Info

Year: 2000 / 2001
Duration: c. 8:00
Difficulty: VII (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Bill Holab Music
Cost: Score and Parts - Rental   |   Full Score Only $100.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I -II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Piccolo Trumpet
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV

  • Bass Drum
  • Bongos (4)
  • Castanets
  • Cowbells (medium and large)
  • Cymbals (medium and large suspended)
  • Hi-Hat
  • Marimba
  • Ratchet
  • Splash Cymbal
  • Shaker (metal)
  • Tambourine
  • Triangle
  • Tom-Toms (4)
  • Vibraslap
  • Washboard
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Premiered on February 17, 2000, under the direction of Andrew Litton, the original version of Timepiece was commissioned by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for its 100th Anniversary Season. A transcription for winds was subsequently commissioned by a consortium of ensembles affiliated with the College Band Director National Association and premiered on February 22, 2001, with Eugene Migliaro Corporon conducting the North Texas Wind Symphony. I have dedicated this transcription to the memory of Martin Mailman (1932-2000), friend and colleague for many years at the University of North Texas, without whose encouragement I might never have transcribed an earlier work, Circuits, for wind ensemble.

I entitled the work Timepiece, not only for its connection to the celebration of special events marking the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's one hundredth anniversary and the beginning of a new millennium, but also for the manner in which musical time shapes the work. The piece begins slowly, "before" time, in a womb-like, subjective, holding place. And then a clock-like pulse emerges, takes control, and provides the driving force behind a sustained, highly energized second section of about six minutes.

Much of my recent thinking about music is informed by the writings of Carl G. Jung who, in the words of Anthony Storr, "felt that the whole energy of mental functioning" sprang from the tension between the oppositions of conscious and unconscious, of thought and feeling, of mind and body, of objectivity and subjectivity. So too have the integration and reconciliation of opposing elements become important aspects of my work: the frequent use of circular patterns, or ostinatos, offer both the movement; carefully controlled pitch systems and thematic manipulations provide a measure of objectivity and reason, while kinetic rhythmic structures inspire bodily motion; discipline yields to improvisation; and perhaps most importantly, humor takes its place comfortably along side the grave and earnest. I wish both to enlighten and to entertain, to communicate wholeness, and above all, to celebrate life!

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Oklahoma City (Okla.) University Wind Ensemble (Matthew Mailman, conductor) - 14 September 2023
  • Eastman School of Music (Rochester, N.Y.) Wind Orchestra (Mark Scatterday, conductor) - 22 February 2023
  • University of Illinois (Champaign) Wind Symphony (Kevin Geraldi, conductor) - 4 November 2022
  • University of Toronto (Ont., Can.) Wind Ensemble (Gillian MacKay, conductor) - 19 October 2018
  • University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Concert Band (Courtney Snyder, conductor) – 7 February 2018
  • Florida International University Wind Ensemble (Catherine Rand, conductor) - November 19, 2009
  • Hartt Symphony Band (Glen Adsit, conductor) - 19 October 2007
  • University of New Hampshire (Andrew Boysen, conductor) - 17 October 2007
  • Middle Tennessee State University (Murphreesboro) Wind Ensemble (Reed Thomas, conductor) - 22 September 2006
  • Western Illinois University (Michael Fansler, conductor) - 31 March 2006
  • University of North Texas (Denton) Wind Symphony (Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor) – 22 February 2001 (CBDNA 2001 National Conference, Denton, Tx.) *Premiere Performance*
  • Plano (Tx.) East Senior High School Wind Ensemble (Jerry Thomas, conductor) – 20 December 2001 (2001 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. 2002. Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. Volume 4. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 935-942.