To Build a Fire
General Info
Year: 1992
Duration: c. 17:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: TRN Music Publisher, Inc
Cost: Score and Parts - $100.00 | Score Only - $12.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II (doubles Alto Flute)
Oboe I-II (doubles English Horn)
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone (doubles Soprano Saxophone)
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani (6)
Piano/Harp
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:
- Anvil
- Bass Drum
- Bell Tree
- Bongos
- Crotales
- Cymbal (crash and suspended)
- Glockenspiel
- Gong (Tam-tam)
- Marimba
- Snare Drum
- Tambourine
- Tenor Drum
- Tom-Toms
- Triangle
- Tubular Bells
- Vibraphone
- Wind Chimes
- Xylophone
Errata
- Oboe, m.30: The dotted half note should be an A-flat trilling to an A-natural.
- Bassoon I, m.210: The error is that the tie between mm. 209-210 changes octaves with the clef change. Prof. Camphouse would like the bassoon to read m. 209 as is & stay on E3 for beat one of m. 210, then go up to the higher E (E4) on beat two of 210.
- Contrabassoon, m.185: The note should be a D-natural. This affects the next several measures due to the ties.
Program Notes
To Build a Fire was sketched, composed and orchestrated during an eight month period: June 1990 - January 1991. Commissioned by The United States Army Band and dedicated to Conductor Emeritus Colonel Eugene W. Allen, To Build a Fire is a freely composed 17 minute quasi-tone poem -- a general impression of the Jack London short story. Since first reading the story as a high school student, Camphouse always wanted to create a musical setting of this stark, powerful and enduring American literary classic. To Build a Fire was premiered at the Kennedy Center on March 4, 1991, by The United States Army Band under the direction of Colonel Bryan Shelbourne. To Build a Fire was selected as the winning composition of the 1991 Fifteenth Annual National Band Association Composition Contest.
Program Note by Mark Camphouse
Commercial Discography
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Air Mobility Command March (2008)
- Anthem (2009)
- Canzon, Fugato, and Hymn (2004)
- A Dakota Rhapsody (2007)
- Declarations (1996/1997)
- Elegy (1989)
- Elegy, Prayer, and Hymn (2015)
- Essay (1992)
- Fantasia on "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair" (2005)
- First Essay for Symphonic Band. See: Essay
- Foundation (2007)
- Heartland Sketches (2009)
- Homage to the Dream (2013)
- Illuminations (2016/2018)
- In Memoriam (2002)
- La cathédrale résiliente (2019)
- Legacy for Brass and Percussion (2008)
- London Miniatures (1998)
- A Movement for Rosa (1992)
- Pacific Commemoration (1999)
- Prelude, Processional, and Postlude (2019)
- Reminiscences (2011)
- Resolutions (2017/2020)
- Romanza, from A Jack Stamp Suite (2017)
- Second Essay for Symphonic Band (2015)
- The Shining City (2011)
- Symphonic Fanfare (2006)
- Symphonic Prelude (The Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer) (2006)
- Symphony from Ivy Green
- Three London Miniatures (1988)
- To Build a Fire (1992)
- Tribute (1985)
- Twin Ports Overture (2012/2013)
- Two American Canvases (2010)
- Watchman, Tell Us of the Night (1996)
- Whatsoever Things... (1997)
- Yosemite Autumn (1997/2004)
Resources
- Mark Camphouse website
- McCutchen, Mathew G. (2009) An Examination of the History and Winning Pieces of the National Band Association's Composition Contest: 1977-2008. Florida State University, Doctoral Dissertation.
- The Wind Band Music of Mark Camphouse: A Study of Twelve of His Musical Compositions, His Characteristic Sound, and the Inspiration Behind His Works