To Create a Voice
General Info
Year: 2018
Duration: c. 3:55
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $95.00; (digital) - $95.00 | Score Only (print) - $12.50
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute
Oboe (optional Flute II)
Bassoon I
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
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:
- Bass Drum
- Marimba
- Shakers, high
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tambourine
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
- Vibra-slap
- Wind Chimes
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Inspired by the memory of an influential music educator, Carol Brittin Chambers has woven a multitude of grooves, colors, and uplifting themes into To Create a Voice. Chambers has attempted to convey distinct moods and emotions that this educator tried to instill in his students. In honor of this dynamic teacher, you will hear Hot Cross Buns cleverly placed throughout the composition.
Calm woodwind chords create a unique opening for this warm and expressive selection. Increased energy throughout various sections of the piece successfully convey a wide range of soulful moods and emotions. By exploring different rhythmic grooves and tonal colors, the mood evolves, creating an ending that's positive and undeniably uplifting.
- Program Note from publisher
To Create a Voice was commissioned by the Valley Concert Band in Stockton, Calif. The piece premiered in October 2017, in memory and celebration of Chris Anderson, a musician and music educator. This piece is largely inspired by a specific quote from Chris:
“Most people would consider the sounds students first make on their instruments to be cringe-worthy, but to me that’s music to my ears, because that’s the first time students put a voice to their instrument. Over time those voices become stronger; they become clear, more confident, and get to a point where they use those voices to communicate with each other, and to their audiences.”
To relate to the “first notes” idea, the composer uses motifs based on the first notes most beginners learn ("Do Re Mi"). They are introduced at the beginning of the piece in the trombone solo, Chris’s instrument. During the lyrical section, the brass introduce a chorale, while the woodwinds continue to reiterate Do Re Mi. Later in the piece, these notes surface again, but in reverse; a reference to the first song most beginners learn, Hot Cross Buns. This section is also meant to portray Chris’s “quirky,” jovial side. Near the end, at the most uplifting moment, Do Re Mi is heard, but this time in harmony with Mi Fa So. This represents the ultimate satisfaction we feel as musicians when we have finally progressed enough to play in harmony with others.
- Program Note from Keller Middle School Wind Ensemble concert program, 20 December 2018
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- McCracken Middle School (Skokie, Ill.) Symphonic Band (Chip De Stefano, conductor) – 8 April 2022 (CBDNA 2022 North Central Conference, Madison, Wisc.)
- Lincoln High School (Stockton, Calif.) Wind Ensemble (Cathy Ettle, conductor) – 19 February 2022 (2022 CASMEC Conference, Fresno)
- Houston County High School (Warner Robins, Ga.) Concert Band (Rebekah Daniel, conductor) - 14 May 2019
- Keller (Tx.) Middle School Wind Ensemble (Jedidiah Maus, conductor) - 20 December 2018 (2018 Midwest Clinic)
- Valley Concert Band (Stockton, Calif.) (Molly Hazelwood, conductor) – 2017
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Byzantine Dances (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
- Carol of the Bells (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1914/2020)
- Rhythmania! (Flex instrumentation) (2020/2021)
All Wind Works
- Alegría (2022)
- All for One, One for All (2019)
- All That We Are (2023)
- Beautiful River (as arranger) (1864/2011)
- The Bold Brigade (2020)
- Bright Light in the World (2022)
- Byzantine Dances (2018)
- Byzantine Dances (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
- Carol of the Bells (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1914/2020)
- Cedar Canyon Sketches (2014)
- Clear Creek Canyon
- ConnectUS
- Cruisin' Bluesin' (2016)
- Dances for the Muse, Terpsichore (2022)
- Danza de España (2015)
- Down on the Delta (2022)
- Embark (2022)
- Energy Ball (2022)
- Fandango (2023)
- Fanfare Esprit (2022)
- Fearless (2022)
- The Great Green Kazoo (2019)
- Jumpstart! (2014)
- Kalos Eidos (2020)
- La Terre Sacrée (2021)
- Land of Enchantment (2022)
- March of the Freedom Fighters (2016)
- Moon Song and Tribal Dance (2014)
- Night Fury (2016/2017)
- Noble Procession (2014)
- Pipe and Thistle (2019)
- Rainbow in the Clouds (2017/2018)
- Rhythmania! (2021)
- Rhythmania! (Flex instrumentation) (2020/2021)
- Ridgeview Overture (2020)
- Rock Attack (2015)
- The Rusty Bucket (2015)
- So Wondrous Bright (2015)
- Softly Speaks the Night (2016)
- Song of the Fjords (2021)
- Squirrel Chase (2021)
- Summer Glen (2020)
- Sunchaser (2017)
- Tarantella (2022)
- To Create a Voice (2018)
- Where the Waters Meet (2021)