With a Kingly Voice

From Wind Repertory Project
Nick Costanza

Nick Costanza


Subtitle: For Solo Euphonium and Wind Ensemble


General Info

Year: 2018
Duration: c. 7:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Manuscript
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Euphonium
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
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
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium I-II
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Cowbell
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Marimba
  • Snare Drum
  • Tam-Tam
  • Whip
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This work for solo euphonium and wind ensemble is dedicated to the assistant director of bands at the University of Central Florida, Dave Schreier. As my time as a student at UCF comes to an end, I wanted to give a good-bye present to each of the three band directors who have all made such a positive impact on my life. I have attended UCF for almost ten years now, and I felt that I needed to give back to my alma mater and contribute something meaningful to the music program here. The best way that I figured I could do this was to compose a new piece of music for each band director, incorporating elements of their personalities and mannerisms into a musical narrative that surrounds each of their careers at the university. Therefore, this piece and the two others like it are composed for a solo instrument, representing the individual director, and wind ensemble, representing the musical group they most often conduct and direct.

Mr. Schreier has also been at UCF for many years and is himself a euphonium player. Thus, the featured instrument in this work is the euphonium. Mr. Schreier’s longevity at UCF is most notably felt in the school’s marching band, the UCF Marching Knights, of which I was a member for five years. Those years were quite tumultuous, as by a series of unfortunate coincidences we found ourselves with a different primary director each year. However, Dave Schreier remained the secondary director through all this time, providing a voice of consistency, reassurance, and stability. The solo euphonium part is my analog to this voice, with its deep sound and wide range. I also borrowed a couple of melodic motifs from the marching band’s pre-game show, which other Marching Knights should recognize easily, though they are used to construct my musical narrative and not just to reference the band’s music.

This work tells the story of a kingdom at war against evil. After a heroic opening fanfare which announces the king’s entry, the king himself, played by the solo euphonium, addresses his subjects and gives them the bad news: we are losing. Shortly after, the castle is attacked. Battle ensues, and the fighting is difficult. The king’s forces are inspired to bravery, but the enemy is just too strong, so a small strike team is sent out in secret to search for a way to win. The king looks out across the battlefield as the fighting ends and mourns the losses of life. However, just when all hope seems lost, reinforcements arrive in the distance, echoing the opening fanfare. The king’s forces, bolstered by new allies, surge back and finally drive away the forces of evil. This story is primarily inspired by the lore and mythos of the Marching Knights, who have our own version of these events which play out over the course of summer band camp.

Though this piece has some references that only a UCF student would recognize, it is written to be enjoyed by any audience member. I hope that my contribution to the UCF music department, and the wind ensemble repertoire, can reach those other students that have been uplifted here and can paint this imagery in the minds of listeners. As we say at my university, Reach for the stars.

- Program Note by composer


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Central Florida (Orlando) Concert Band (David Schreier, conductor; Alex Burtzos, euphonium) – 23 February 2020 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources