Amazing Grace (Ticheli)

From Wind Repertory Project
Frank Ticheli

Frank Ticheli


General Info

Year: 1835 / 1994
Duration: c. 4:55
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Manhattan Beach Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $95.00   |   Score Only - $15.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass 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-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II, including:

  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone


Errata

  • B-flat Trumpet III: Rehearsal no. 37 should read 39.


Program Notes

I wanted my setting of Amazing Grace to reflect the powerful simplicity of the words and melody -- to be sincere, to be direct, to be honest -- and not through the use of novel harmonies and clever tricks, but by traveling traditional paths in search of truth and authenticity.

I believe that music has the power to take us to a place that words alone cannot. And so my own feelings about Amazing Grace reside in this setting itself. The harmony, texture, orchestration, and form are inseparable, intertwined so as to be perceived as a single expressive entity.

The spiritual, Amazing Grace, was written by John Newton (1725-1807), a slave ship captain who, after years of transporting slaves across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World, suddenly saw through divine grace the evilness of his acts. First published in 1835 by William Walker in The Southern Harmony, Amazing Grace has since grown to become one of the most beloved of all American spirituals.

Amazing Grace was commissioned by John Whitwell in loving memory of his father, John Harvey Whitwell. It was first performed on February 10, 1994, by the Michigan State University Wind Symphony, John Whitwell conductor.

- Program Note by Frank Ticheli


Media


State Ratings

  • Alabama: Class B
  • Florida: IV
  • Georgia: V
  • Iowa: IV
  • Indiana: ISSMA SENIOR BAND GROUP II
  • Kansas: IV
  • Louisiana: III
  • Maryland: IV
  • Michigan: Senior High C
  • Minnesota: II
  • Mississippi: V-A
  • North Carolina: IV
  • Oklahoma: III-A
  • South Carolina: IV
  • Tennessee: IV
  • Texas: III. Complete
  • Virginia: IV


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • University of Toronto (Ont., Can.) Wind Symphony (James Wu, conductor) - 8 December 2023
  • Medina Community Band (Brunswick, Ohio) (Marcus Neiman, conductor) - 11 September 2023
  • West Valley High School (Yakima, Wash.) Wind Ensemble (Kirk Knight, conductor) - 25 May 2023
  • California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Wind Orchestra (Nicholas P. Waldron, conductor) – 5 March 2023
  • Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville) University Concert Band (Ruben Dario Gomez, conductor) - 1 March 2023
  • University of Louisville (Ky.) Symphonic Band (Joshua Stump, conductor) - 29 April 2022
  • University of Portland (Ore.) Wind Symphony (Jade Ward, conductor) - 19 February 2022
  • Wheaton College (Ill.) Symphonic Band (Brady McNeil, conductor) - 11 February 2023
  • University of Texas at Arlington Symphonic Winds (Christopher Evans, conductor) - 9 May 2021
  • Benedictine College (Atchison, Kan.) Wind Symphony (Brian Casey, conductor) - 20 March 2021
  • Sacramento (Calif.) State University Concert Band (Matthew Morse, conductor) - 16 December 2020 (Virtual)
  • Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Wind Symphony (Rubén D. Gómez, conductor) - December 2020
  • University of Central Florida (Orlando) Wind Ensemble (Danny Santos, conductor) – 8 October 2020
  • East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, Tx.) Symphonic Band (Nathan G. Phillips, conductor) - 2 October 2020
  • Western Illinois University (Macomb) Showcase Honor Band (Robert Meunier, conductor) – 22 February 2020
  • McClellan College (Waco, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Jon Conrad, conductor) - 20 February 2020
  • Southland Wind Ensemble (Ontario, Calif.) (George Osorio, conductor) - 8 February 2020
  • Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) Honor Wind Symphony (Christopher Morehouse, conductor)– 4 December 2019
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Campus Band (Brent Echols, conductor) – 19 November 2019
  • Taber Community Wind Ensemble (Portland, Ore.) (Gene Burton, conductor) – 16 November 2019


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources